KarianneG

Bringing the past into the present

KarianneG creates beautiful jewellery using traditional techniques and locally sourced materials. Through treasure hunting in Norway’s cultural heritage, she merges the past and the present.

Karianne was studying to become a leatherworker in Sweden when she heard of an evening silversmithing course. Although half the course had passed, she offered to pay full price to attend the remaining workshops. “This is where I made my first byzantine bracelet,” Karianne says. She fell in love with the technique and decided to apply for the school’s silversmithing course.

However, after being injured in a car crash, doctors told Karianne that her dream of becoming a silversmith might have to remain just that, a dream. “I was crushed,” Karianne tells us.

Yet, her injury didn’t stop her. Many years after first finding her love for jewellery making, Karianne decided it was time to pursue that dream. She then started her brand: KarianneG.

Central to KarianneG as a brand is the interest in cultural heritage. "Today, we're always chasing for anything new. However, I think it's interesting to go treasure hunting in the past,” she says. Karianne explains how she was a "history nerd" from a young age, and the Viking museums other kids found boring, she found thrilling. "Nowadays, no one wears chain armour anymore, but the possibility of bringing this history to the present through jewellery is something I find very exciting."

Karianne works with a 3000-year-old ring technique. “I start by winding a silver wire into a coil, before I saw the coil into rings. Then, using two pliers, I assemble the rings into specific patterns. The relationship between wire thickness, ring size and pattern is crucial for a good result.” Besides working with traditional chain patterns, Karianne sometimes mixes different types of chains to create original designs. "I call these designs hybrid. I only make one of each, so the customer gets a truly unique piece."

From silver to advertising material, Karianne sources her materials from local and national suppliers. "I think it's important to support Norwegian producers. I buy boxes for my jewellery from Rikter Svendsen in Fredrikstad, and I try to use my local environment as much as possible," she says.

One of her biggest career moments was when The Viking Ship Museum wanted to sell her jewellery. “In terms of my dreams, I probably achieved it then. I had never imagined I would get that opportunity."

Instagram / @karianneg_vikingsmykker karianneg.com