Anja’s visit to North House is a result of a craft renaissance sweeping across Scandinavia that is gaining widespread international attention. The handicraft movement, as it’s known in Sweden, is a crossroads between tradition and innovation, allowing young craftspeople like woodcarver Jögge Sundqvist, knife forger Kay Vikström, and green woodworker Anja Sundberg the opportunity to expand on traditional folk art, fine craftsmanship, and regional handicraft. In this two-day green woodworking class, Anja will share a traditional woodwoking method known as krymburkar (working with shrinking birch). Starting out with a green birch log, participants will hollow out the center with boring drills, gauges and hookknives. A dry piece of birch is carved out and placed at the bottom, allowing the base of the container to shrink and create a watertight seal...krympburkar’! The birch container will then be brightly decorated with ornate paints and chip carving reflecting Swedish folk patterns. Varying forms and design patterns for lids will be discussed. Anja will bring a variety of examples of other green woodworking projects with her, including köksredskap (knives, cutting boards, and spoons) and her famed insekts (carved insect-like figures from small branches). The workshop includes a catered lunch during both days and a Friday evening presentation of Swedish handicraft that will be open to the public.