Nordik Folk

We are a Scandinavian Culture Club who meets Monthly September-May on the 3rd Monday of each month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave., Munster, IN. 6:30 pm. All are welcome! We enjoy Scandinavian culture by celebrating the holidays, music, language, crafts and history of Scandinavia!

Saturday, April 9, 2016

VASA Member you Should Know: Phyllis Kalajian


This is reprinted here from the April Issue of the Valthornet:

VASA Member to Know...Phyllis Kalajian of Nordikreations


    Who would have thought that what started as a fundraising initiative 8 years ago for Nordik Folk No.761 would lead member Phyllis Kalajian to start Nordikreations: a new business venture with skyrocketing sales to television producers, museums and Scandinavian jewelry enthusiasts everywhere?
    Based in Indiana, Phyllis taught herself the art of jewelry making and has designed her pieces based on inspiration from her own Scandinavian roots:  She is half Norwegian, a quarter Swedish and a quarter German.  Her interest has also stemmed from her involvement in VASA.  Her two children, now grown, were enrolled in SolstrÃ¥len a VASA Children’s Club, and then she later reconnected with her roots when she joined the newly formed local VASA lodge, Nordik Folk No. 761 in 2006.
    Nordikreations quickly took off when people began requesting particular items.  Through research, Phyllis has spent great amounts of time reading about Scandinavian traditions and customs and has worked them into her jewelry design.  Each piece is inspired by Scandinavian culture: the jewelry, the folk costumes and the artwork– both ancient and contemporary.
    Styles include Viking, Sami, Norwegian rosemaling, Swedish and Danish. Materials used are silver-plate, gold plate, antique silver-plate, antique gold-plate, bronze, pewter, gunmetal, stainless steel, copper, leather, glass beads and gemstone beads.
Phyllis began making and selling her jewelry locally at craft fairs and events and by word of mouth.  She quickly found that selling online would expand her business and give her a way to share her talents more broadly.  See her ETSY shop at:  www.etsy.com/shop/Nordikreations.  Since then, her jewelry has been for sale where the Viking Exhibit has travelled at: The Australian Maritime Museum, The Royal British Columbian Museum,  Chicago’s Field Museum and Discovery Times Square in New York. Her jewelry has also been purchased by Peterson Farms, the Linnea Bakery and a few Norwegian Lodges. 
    Phyllis’ jewelry can also be found at the Vesterheim Norwegian Museum Shop  in Decorah, Iowa,  and in their catalog.  
Her most exciting claim to fame is the sale of Viking-style earrings to the History Channel’s show Vikings which is in its fourth season.  Phyllis’ earrings can be seen in both the 3rd and 4th seasons of the show. You can tune in and catch the show on Thursdays 10/9 Central.
    Phyllis, who works a regular full-time job, hopes to retire soon to devote all of her time to her craft.  She hopes to open her own Scandinavian and Viking shop, possibly in the Crown Point, Indiana area.  She would also like to participate in some larger festivals in and around Northwest Indiana.


 “I love thinking of new ideas and then trying to find the right pieces to create them.  When I put the pieces together and it looks like I’ve successfully visualized something, I’m really happy,” said Phyllis Kalajian in a recent interview with Finland Center, New York. 

 You can also follow Phyllis on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/nordikreations

Nordic Faire

Join us for this wonderful
2nd Annual Event!

So much to do, see, eat & experience.
Spread the word!

Final Planning Meeting 
April 11!!!

March!


March Meeting
"Filled to Capacity"
It was certainly wonderful to see so many faces at the March meeting on Monday, the 21st!
It was a good thing, because we had a lot to cover! See the Minutes Here:

Chairman Tim Ogrentz and Vice Chairman Herb Smith initiated two new members into our Lodge: Melissa Pearson and Jason Schmal.  Welcome to you both from Nordik Folk No. 761!!!
Kristen Schmal, pinning her son Jason
 with the Official VASA Pin
Lisa Pearson, pinning her daughter
Melissa with the Official VASA Pin

Vice Chairman Herb Smith with Initiates
Melissa Pearson & Jason Schmal


The Culture Program was presented by Sofia Nelson: National Parks Guide- The Wild Hearts of Sweden.






On march 5th, Nordik Folk members Ronald Allen, Elizabeth Flores-Allen, Timothy Ogrentz, Linnea Ogrentz, Harry Ogrenz, Jean Ogrentz, and Jean Oak attended Bessemer Lodge No.203's Pancake Breakfast and Easter Culture Program in Chicago. After eating their fill, many came home with crafted Easter Witches, feather twigs & Easter eggs as well as Semlor.  It was a wonderful event.

Harry, Linnea & Tim Ogrentz
Jean Ogrentz & Jean Oak

Ronald Allen & Elizabeth Flores-Allen