You will find my experiences at the Jokkmokk Market in Sweden interesting.

No matter the temperature, I love my annual trek to the Jokkmokk Market in Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle.  I had several learning experiences this year that I think you will find interesting. First, I learned that the point at where the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales meet is 40 degrees below zero. At that temperature, I found it difficult to take off reindeer-skin mittens in order to take pictures.  I also learned that food purchased at an open-air market at 40 below, even pastries and doughnuts, will very quickly freeze.

The market was established 407 years ago so that the King of Sweden could collect taxes from his nomadic Saami citizens. During the first week of February each year, the Saami met in the town of Jokkmokk, traded goods with one another, and paid their taxes. Trading goods grew into a market, and now Jokkmokk is a collection of artists and craftspeople that keep the Saami culture alive.

Check out the photos that I snapped and learn more about the market here.

The Historic Market opened first. Held on the site of the first market, participants wear furs and leather clothing true to the Saami styles of the 1600s. As you can see by this photo, I walked past piles of tanned reindeer hides available for sale, much as they would have been four centuries ago. There were tables of tree burls that had been put to good use; the Saami use them to start fires, make drinking cups, and store food. A woodcarver demonstrated how to hollow out a massive burl with a small hatchet. The big burl would have been wonderful for storing food for the winter, but I contented myself with buying a selection of burl cups and bowls.  Stop by and see the beautiful workmanship up close.

On Wednesday, the Historic Market closed, and a torchlight procession moved from the small, original market and to the opening ceremonies of the more spacious new market. Here jewelers abounded. They create Saami jewelry by using all of nature as their inspiration and source of materials. Birch roots are woven into floral earrings, salmon skin is embroidered onto reindeer leather bracelets, and ornate brooches are carved out of reindeer horn. I brought home not only Saami art but also pieces of the dramatic landscape in which the Sammi live.

Each noon a parade punctuated the day, and reindeer in brilliantly- colored harnesses pulled sleighs through the center of the market. This year the grand marshall was Per Kuhmunen, a lifelong advocate for Saami arts and culture. Following Per were Saami in colorful costumes, all with a personal touch.

Now, at the end of March, the boxes of my purchases have begun to arrive.  As I eagerly unpack them, the warm aromas of tanned leather and the feel of reindeer fur take me back to Jokkmokk. In the next few months, I will be bringing these wonderful items to the Stockholm store. You are invited to visit the store and experience their feel and aroma.  I hope that they will transport you, too, to a world of Arctic beauty and a culture that expresses that beauty in their handcraft and art.

We’d love to see you again,
Diane, Carstens, and staff
Ingebretsen’s

Discovered by Another Blogger

Simply put, I fell head-over-heels for this quaint Lake Pepin-side village of 89 without any undue influence.

When we sent out a bribe offer this summer, we had no idea what to expect. We just wanted the world to know about Stockholm and our merchants. Wow. We got a lot. And they keep trickling in.

But this is not about us. This is about Audrey Kletscher Helbling and her piece in MinnPost. Take a look and if you're a merchant, please leave a comment for the writer and her readers.

Thank you, Audrey!

Maybe next time you'll be tempted to stay and become resident #90!

Renowned Fresco Painter Mark Balma Now at Abode Gallery

Abode Gallery is proud and thrilled to be offering the latest works by internationally-known painter, Mark Balma. Though he is a Minnesota native, he has lived, studied and worked abroad in his pursuit of the ancient practice of fresco painting. For those of us who can't travel to the churches, cathedrals, colleges (although there is one in Minneapolis and another in Winona) or private collections, this is a truly remarkable opportunity. Balma's works are rarely this small and are usually done on commission for private  parties like clergy, royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and heads of industry.

Fresco painting requires patience as the artist builds a wall of layer upon layer of tinted plaster. Each layer is a watercolor made of truly organic media: hand ground minerals and essential oils are the ingredients Balma has learned from Italian masters and handed down from the time it was first invented by Leonardo da Vinci.

Fresco artists must also see their works on vast panels. These are not works to be framed, but to admired from afar, giving the viewer a spiritual perspective of awe.

Nevertheless, Balma is a peripatetic painter. He has lived in England, France, Italy, Minnesota and now calls Stockholm, Wisconsin his home.

This is a rare occasion to see Balma's works close-up. Abode Gallery is also pleased to represent Balma's works for sale and to arrange formal commissions. The still lives we have in the gallery are imbued with a spiritual light that must be seen in situ and we're exhilarated to have these gorgeous images on our walls, among our thoughtfully curated works.

Consider commissioning a traditional portrait for someone in your life: a cherished elder, a notable board member, church official or inspiring business or community leader. Perhaps a retirement gift to a beloved parent or respected boss. How about a truly unforgettable commemoration of an occasion like a wedding or an anniversary or birth?

We look forward to hosting an event for Balma during the traditional Fall Arts Preview in September. He can tell you how to arrange a sitting or simply talk about Italy or how he decided to devote his life to the pursuit of this ancient art.

Please call or watch this space for more details.

Another Story About Us!

A nice afternoon on the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin

BY STEVE DATE, TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION
July 15, 2011

We took a little drive yesterday down the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin, which begins just over the bridge from Red Wing, Minnesota, about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities. Inspired by Emily and Kyle’s stories of trips to the “Pizza Farm” and a nice article in the Minneapolis StarTribune by Rick Nelson, we felt it was time to take a few hours to stop and visit a few places we had previously only sped past on trips to somewhere else.