The reindeer antler won me over already twenty years ago, when I studied Sami crafts and arts and still I am enthusiastic over it. Reindeer husbandry is also our family`s livelihood, so reindeer has ever since been important in my life. My antler workshop and gallery is situated in Inari on the shore of Lake Kuivajärvi, near the Lemmenjoki National Park at our reindeer farm. I produce and design unique jewellery, art and also some traditional items. My main material is reindeer antler, but I also use birch burls, handmade reindeer leather and even bones. All my items are hand engraved, a skill that only few people can do today. The decorations and ideas for my objects originate in Lapland´s arctic nature, northern lights, ancient shaman drums and old traditions combined with my own imagination. My ideology consists in producing sustainable articles of local materials in respecting the old traditions and natural methods. |
© Kikka Laakso | Photograps: Kikka Laakso ja Kaisa Sirén | Pages: Markku Virtanen | suomi |