The "Nääs Effect"

I have just been to a lecture by a lady called Anna Alm who is doing her doctoral thesis on the effect Nääs had on the lives of those who took the Slöjd teachers' courses between 1880 and 1940. It was very interesting. The school (building which houses my workshop) was started by Otto Salomon, who was nephew of the guy who owned the manor house. It was revolutionary in that he introduced pedagogique into woodwork teaching in schools, whereas before woodwork classes were given to keep children occupied with hands busy by the local carpenter. He developed a step by step system of teaching which aimed to encourage independence and creativity. Form, function and aesthetic were important as well as being able to plan and make the object without help, using good posture.

The 6 week courses were co-ed, which was also new and very international. They had participants from up to 20 different countries. The Nääs method was especially popular in Britain and USA before WW1. There was a special atmosphere that make a lasting impression on the lives of those who came and they would always look back to the time with great nostalgia. It was especially empowering for women.

The interesting little coincidence that I learnt was that Otto Salomon's wife was called Ellen which is nearly my name and they named their son Axel which is also my son's name! There was a picture of him as a boy, carving away at some project.

Open House 7-8 May 10.00-17.00

This weekend is the annual spring handcraft fair at Nääs and the workshop will be open. Alf-Inge will be there with his birds and to answer questions about violin-making.

Kora Diary

It was so pretty this morning when the sun came up that I took my goat skin outside for a quick photo shoot. 

But it was so cold -14 or something that I had to hurry back inside. I'm using the cellar of this lovely building for my kora project, at least the skinning part. It used to be the kitchen where they made all the food for the course participants a hundred years ago. Here is the old stove:

The goat skin is from Senegal, shaved african style with a razor blade.

Birds

Perched about the workshop are a number of birds, the latest arrivals being some owls. Alf-Inge (also a violinmaker) has been a bird watcher for many years, and when he can't get out in the countryside to spy on them with his binoculars then he has to make do with carving and painting them - rather beautifully as you can see. There is a little mixed flock of them up in the shop at the castle for sale. The picture above shows two unpainted "juveniles" and the final adult result is displayed below together with a Norwegian hardingfele (hardangar violin) built by Alf-Inge's father.

Work space

The Strad magazine did a series of articles about different luthiers' workshops, with pictures and descriptions. Here's mine: tools on the left wall; stove for glue; ebony files on the left; wood files on the right, a couple of violins I made at school hanging up there; two pieces of paper that I decided to frame; a cupboard we made during our first year.

In the window: some pottery from Marge Wallace, ceramic artist in Harare; an old violin top that I replaced on an instrument and then put in the window for display; a special candle holder from my artist friend Helen Molin; a 1/2 size violin I started years ago and just recently finished the scroll to; a special pottery container made by Emil; bits and bobs basket from the side on the road in Zim; a double bass bridge of mine (made of maple - hence the leaf); the shelves and drawers I made very simply to keep things tidy, they are of full of varnish stuff mostly; old baby food jars full of brushes and pencils and things to the left.

Although sometimes it looks more like this. Five of seven basses in at the time!!

A beautiful autumn wreath that someone recently made for the front door.

The Way to Work

The view of Nääs from the ourskirts of the little village where I live...

Along the road...

through the trees...

There!

I cycle to work most days, except when it's snowy - then I take the bus or walk. Never have been much of a cyclist really. I go very slowly, walk the uphill bits, admire the scenary, pick a few berries along the way... it was absolutely lovely today, but not such fun when it's raining and blowing or -10 degrees but at least this way I don't have to go to the gym.