Lingonberries
The Lingonberries Story
Folk Art. Inspiration. Style. That defines the Scandinavian influence that infuses Lingonberries, my new line of fashion and home decor items. I was excited to be able to introduce Lingonberries at the August 2012 Minneapolis Mart Gift Show, and have it represented in the mart by Jansco Marketing.
In a way, Lingonberries is something I've worked toward all my life.
My mother's family came over to America over a hundred years ago from Sweden (my grandmother came by herself, she was just 16.) My father's family came around the same time, from Norway. I was born in the Norwegian Hospital in Brooklyn and grew up, mostly in New York and New Orleans, in homes that embraced the promise and spirit of America but honored family ties and celebrated the traditions of our Scandinavian-American heritage.
Traditions that have woven their way through the generations. As a graphic designer, it was natural to explore the Scandinavian folk arts -- the Norwegian painting, rosemaling, and the Swedish Dalmalning, or kurbits folk art style. And needing letters from Sweden translated led us to Vasa, the international Scandinavian cultural organization. I'm still struggling with the languages, but our sons enjoyed Concordia's Swedish language camps in Minnesota (home to my husband's Swedish forbears).
My folk art adorns a wall in my kitchen and anything wood -- bowls, plates, skis, furniture... Somehow, greeting cards and then fabric design and scarves and purses and pillows and table runners seemed perfectly natural next steps. I wanted the painting to be woven into everyday things, but as much for the celebration of the colors, the design, the expression. Something that could have a universal appeal,
Inspiration is all around. I have a photo from a distant generation of my Swedish family -- note the textiles on the walls and ceilings that were brought out and put up to decorate for special occasions. And, I have "Den Lille Syerske" -- the little seamstress. I keep her over my cutting table for inspiration. The print was my grandmother's.
Expanding on our design work to create a new line seemed so natural... Bringing Scandinavian folk art into everyday living. For family, friends and home.
The name Lingonberries? We always had lingonberries at our house at mealtime (still do) -- it goes with everything. The principle works for our line, too.
A Textile Tradition
Den Lille Syerske
Scandinavian Medley Table Runner
You can find the Lingonberries line by Counterpane Press at:
- The Little Viking Temecula, CA www.thelittleviking.com
- Bestemors Mystic, CT www.bestemorsimports.com
- Vanberia Decorah, IA www.vanberiadecorah.com
- Vesterheim Museum Decorah, IA www.vesterheim.org
- Vaer Sa God Forest City, IA www.vaersaagod.com
- Scandinavian Affar Sandpoint, ID
- Viking Treasures Long Grove, IL www.vikingtreasures.com
- Klaradal Olney, MD www.klaradal.com
- Monica's Scandinavian Imports Caribou,ME www.monicasimports.com
- Scandinavian Gifts Marquette, MI
Scandinavian Gift Shop Alexandria MN www.scandinaviangifts.com
- Valley Troll Glenwood, MN www.valleytroll.com
- Scan-Dolls, Inc. Maple Grove, MN www.scan-dolls.com
- Brad Nelson Designs Knife River, MN www.brad-nelson.com
- Cafe Finspang Minneapolis, MN
- Ingebretsens Minneapolis, MN www.ingebretsens.com
- St. Olaf College Bookstore Northfield, MN www.stolafbookstore.com
- Uffda Shop Red Wing, MN www.uffdashoponline.com
- Scandia Butik Scandia, MN www.gammelgardenmuseum.org
- Iverson's Scandinavian Imports www.iversonsimports.com St. Louis Park, MN
- Bibelot St. Paul, MN www.bibelotshops.com
- Swedish Kontur St. Peter, MN www.swedishkonturimports.com
- Little Scandinavia Elkhorn, NE www.littlescandinavia.com
- Stabo Scandinavian Imports Bismarck, ND www.stabo-imports.com
- Stabo Scandinavian Imports Fargo, ND www.stabo-imports.com
- Holsen Hus Sioux Falls, SD www.holsenhus.com
- Nordic Heritage Museum Seattle, WA www.nordicmuseum.org
- Linnea Bakery Kenosha, WI www.linneabakery.com
- Open House Imports Mt. Horeb, WI www.openhouseimports.com
