5_ScanMag_77_June_2015_Text_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 05/06/2015 16:48 Page 57
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway
Fit for Vikings Kie Sølv, a small Norwegian business started by jewellery designer Kirsti Eriksen, offers silver designs inspired by ancient techniques but with a modern twist. By Maya Acharya | Photos: Kie Sølv
Jewellery design was something Eriksen, who initially studied electrical engineering, fell into accidentally, but something she would never give up. “It’s great to be able to express my creativity, and being able to convey historic traditions is something I think is fun,” she explains. Eriksen, who is from Northern Norway, employs old jewellery and methods from the Viking era to create contemporary designs. For example, several of the patterns in her bracelets and necklaces can be traced back to the ring technique, which Vikings used to make their armour. All of Kie Sølv’s jewellery is handmade using silver. This combination of old and new is the cornerstone of Eriksen’s work. “Even though the pieces are inspired by Norwegian cultural heritage, it’s important for me to make jewellery that is mod-
ern and that people want to wear in the present day,” Eriksen says. One of the most original techniques that Eriksen uses can be seen in her ‘salt’ pendants, which are cast using sea salt as a mould. The salt gets rinsed away after each casting, making each pendant unique. Another example of contemporary design can be seen in her series of earrings made from silver and plastic cable ties.
Eriksen’s innovative designs have sold well in Norway as well as on the international market. Along with an online store, Kie Sølv also supplies to retailers and participates in fares across the country. It is also possible to buy and try on jewellery at Erikson’s workshop in Lillestrøm, just outside the capital. In 2010 she was accepted as a member of The Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association, which she calls “an important recognition of her work as a silver smith.” Now Eriksen is working on new projects, including a collection that will incorporate fish leather, which will also be a way for her to create a link to Northern Norway and Lofoten. She says, “jewellery design is something that I’m looking forward to focusing on more and more for each day.”
For more information, please visit: www.kie.no
Issue 77 | June 2015 | 57