Envision the harsh but beautiful landscape of Sweden above the arctic circle, sometimes referred to as the land of the midnight sun and the northern lights. This country is the home for the Saami ( a semi-nomadic tribal group also known as the Lapplanders)
Ever since ancient times the reindeer have been a vital part of the Saamis culture, providing them with food, clothing and tools.

All my jewelry is made by me and I get all my materials from northern Sweden. The pewter thread which is coiled around a sinew thread is a nickel free alloy with 4% silver.
The thread was used by the Saamis ever since the 16th century for decorating their clothing and making jewelry.
I braid the coil in different braids and sew them by hand onto high quality reindeer hide which is vegetable tanned and will not discolor your skin, as a closure I use an reindeer antler button.

I grew up in northern Sweden and this handcraft was all around me and I got my first bracelet at a very young age. Working with my hands came naturally since my mother is a knitter, sewer and embroider and she taught me a lot and I probably inherited her patience for making crafts. A lady at my summer job showed me how to make bracelets during lunch and coffee breakes and later when I worked and lived in Stockholm I took a weekend class in pewter thread embroidery.

When I moved to California in 1996 I started my own business and have been making and selling my jewelry at art galleries and stores in the USA and Europe. I also do a lot of art shows and festivals. The respons has been great and people seem to like and appreciate my work. I have a lot of repeat customers both men and women.
I enjoy my work and it keeps me connected to my roots in northern Sweden and fellow Scandinavians here in the USA.

Hope you will find my work interesting and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Tack,

Erika Honig

Fran Jamtland/Vasterbotten