Celebrating Birch:  The Lore, Art and Craft of an Ancient Tree                  
                          Compiled by volunteers at the North House Folk School

This book was created to celebrate ten years of instruction at the North House Folk School, a non-profit formed by "spontaneous combustion," in Grand Marais, MN, on the north shore of Lake Superior. 

Celebrating Birch is a tribute to the Folk School as well as a salute to the popular birch tree. It covers everything from a recipe for "Birch Splittin Bitter, Icicle Lickin Sweet Root Beer" to birch tar, spoons, throwing logs, and carved toys. Excellent photography and clear photos of how-to procedures accompany 20 practical projects you can create — woven bark  baskets, carved or turned wooden bowls, a carved box, and more.

You will discover the rich history and fascinating cultural myths of this legendary tree. "Lore and Legends", an entertaining chapter telling worldwide traditions and explaining the tree's symbols, brings together history, geography and myth to relay the significance of this widely dispersed species in many cultures. There are also instructions on harvesting the tree and on using leaves and fungi for medicinal teas and the sap for sweetener.

School founder Mark Hansen says, "This is about doing, making things happen, and finishing something. There's a healing that happens when you work with your hands. It's not about efficiency; it's not about proficiency. It's about learning to be a human being with all your senses."

AC - 02   Paperback   $24.95

Art & Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving:  
Step-by-Step Instructions & Patterns for 40 Flat-Plane Carving Projects     by  Harley Refsal

Harley Refsal, recently retired Scandinavian Studies professor at Luther College in Decorah, IA, is an internationally recognized carver who has been decorated by the King of Norway for his contributions to Norwegian culture. But better yet, he is also my first-born's godfather! Refsal is a very talented artist who now teaches the old Scandinavian style of flat-plane carving to Norwegians, and Refsal — a Norwegian-American — is responsible for reviving this art form in Norway.

This book offers detailed, clear instructions for 40 flat-plane projects. Directions for carving and painting — with front and side-view patterns — and step-by-step photographs reveal how to make a few simple cuts and leave large flat planes intact. Out of a piece of wood (and a knife, a few gouges, and some patience), readers will bring to life typical figures such as a school teacher or ice fisherman or traditional Scandinavian creatures such as trolls, nisser, and the Christmas tomter. 

Scandinavian-Americans will enjoy carving images of their rural neighbors like Aunt Trine or Selma all dolled up to head out and do "shores," or Willie who isn't much of an athlete, but knows his ancestors from Sweden would be proud of his carving talent. I really think some of these folks grew up near Harley in Hoffman, MN, and I think I met a few of them at the annual lutefisk supper at my church, but I'm not sure. That was a long time ago, and everyone feasting in the church basement looked alike.

AC - 03   Paperback    $17.95

Whittling Little Folk      by Harley Refsal

The whittled little folk are delightful.  From Kristian to Thea to the Woodsman, acclaimed artist Harley Refsal provides patterns and instructions for carving over 20 delightful characters in wood.  Readers will find step-by-step carving and painting instructions for a Scandinavian-inspired man and woman.  Once they have learned to carve these, they will find 20 more patterns to create.  Each project includes four separate patterns (one from each view), carving instructions, and painting notes.  An overview of Scandinavian flat-plane carving and details on customizing patterns are also included.

This winter you can learn to carve, and next Christmas give Onkel Oskar, Tante Berte, and Prest Kringerud their own little statue. As the book cover says, "Little in size, but big in personality", just like your relatives! Oh, and don't forget to carve some abstract wooden fish decoys to lure lazy Cousin Herb out of the house and onto a frozen lake.

AC - 06    Paperback    $16.95

Traditional Scandinavian Knitting     by Sheila McGregor

This book — a classic guide to the knitting styles of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and the Faeroe Islands — has been written by an international expert on traditional Scandinavian knitting, and the volume is well known and prized among longtime practitioners of the craft worldwide.

Illustrated with 191 black-and-white and 20 color pictures, patterns are included for include jerseys, gloves and mittens, stockings, and caps. McGregor's in-depth treatment covers a range of styles from all parts of Scandinavia. Topics in the 11 chapters range from the origins of Scandinavian knitting to techniques unique to each country. There is also a glossary of Eng./Scand. knitting terms, and information on knitting needle sizes and further readings.

AC - 08     Paperback     $14.95 

Norwegian Handknits          by  Janine Kosel 
       Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum          

This beautiful book is a collection of thirty patterns for handknits from Vesterheim—folk mittens, socks, scarves, hats, wristers, handbags, knapsacks, and sweaters—all inspired by traditional knits housed in the museum. With an introduction reflecting on the history of Norwegian-style knitting and the stories behind the handknits that inspired the patterns, the book is at once a practical guide, a repository of cultural history, and a lovely look at one of the rich traditions knit into the American fabric.

The book contains lovely colored photography, black and white patterns graphed out, and a whole lot of great information about our great ancestors!


AC – 04 Hardcover $30.00