About the artist- Pamela Mankowski (Nordmark)
Drawn to explore her own Scandinavian ancestry some years ago, Pamela began to research and learn the traditional leathercraft of the Sami, the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia. As nomadic reindeer herders, they used the resources that were available to craft simple, beautiful jewelry out of reindeer hide, antlers and spun pewter wire. Nordmark Designs takes the same materials, techniques, and craftsmanship to make simple, yet beautiful jewelry that you can wear every day while maintaining the connection to the Sami artistry.
“I love the old stories of Scandinavia. I feel connected to their legacy through the rune stones and Viking symbols. To honor that history, I have stitched those symbols into each bracelet, intertwining the intention of those symbols with the wearer of the bracelet. My hope is that the bracelet will serve as a reminder to stay in the energy of the symbol sewn into each piece.”
The Nordmark family farm is nestled on the side of a mountain in Norway with an expansive view of the serene valley below. Pamela visited the farm sometime ago to see where her ancestors came from and understand the difficult decision it was for them to leave, and make the arduous trip to settle in America. Her connection to the land was immediate and inspiring. This, coupled with the stories she grew up hearing about the strong women in her family, especially that of her great grandmother who was among the first born in America, inspired her to channel her energies into an artistic pursuit. Thus, Nordmark Designs was created to honor those adventurous, brave souls and extend the connection from America to Scandinavia and its past.
“The symbol of two runes, that is interpreted to mean that we “create our own reality”, is stitched into everything I create. It is a constant reminder that we may not always have control over the exact situations we are in, but we do have control over our attitudes and interpretations of them. Each wearer has that power, and the Sami remind us of this through the simple and beautiful craftsmanship that has been passed down through the ages.”
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