A handcrafted family tradition passed down from older family members to migrated Swede Anna Maria Lengstrand who sews her reindeer indigenous Sámi jewelry from a rural mountainside Studio in Pemberton, BC Canada. SIMPLY SÁMI was created in early 2016 by Swedish Anna Lengstrand, who now lives on a horse ranch in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Anna’s reindeer jewelry is inspired by her ancient
Nordic indigenous heritage dedicated her grandfather Algot who comes from the old Sami family Pokka. Algot grew up in Northern Sweden, the youngest of seven children, raised by his Sami mother, herding reindeer, living off the land, far away from the rest of civilization. The Sami are the indigenous reindeer herding people of the Arctic Circle who once roamed freely where Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia now stitch up borders, log the forest, dig mines, and claim nationhood. “I’m very similar to my grandfather and very proud to be a Pokka - we both have our veins filled with Sámi blood that brings a very strong passion for life and a determined mind. We both also share the passion of working with our hands and Sámi handcraft. Algot used to craft engraved Sami knives with a shaft of shed reindeer antler and sheath made out of reindeer hide. My grandfather also made the shed reindeer antler buttons that my aunt used for her reindeer bracelets. “Grandfather Algot keeps telling me that he is incredibly proud that I'm following my heart and passion choosing to dedicate my time making this ancient handcraft that is so important to him. He also says that this is a proof that I’m very persistent and a hard working person that never gives up… Thank you grandfather for everything that you teach me. You have shaped me to be the person I am today”
As an artist, Anna is weaving a bridge back to her roots from her Pemberton ranch. Her reindeer bracelets are traditional Sámi handiwork (tenntrådsarmband or sámearmband) - hand spun sterling silver and pewter thread woven on a band of reindeer leather, into patterns that bring to mind ancient Celts and Norse Warriors. The buttons are carved from shed reindeer antlers. The leather was originally stitched together with reindeer ligaments, but Anna is using a modern thread alternative. The craft is infused with the no trace, zero waste ethos of the Sámi. It’s their statement piece of jewelry. Pewter jewelry has been made by the reindeer herding Sámi people of northern Scandinavia since at least the 1600s, and this unique handcraft has been brought down to Anna from her older family members. Anna had been wearing her aunt’s bracelets forever, and felt this huge calling to start weaving and sewing her own versions. Anna feels a great pride to have the opportunity to spread her passion for this ancient handcraft to the rest of the world as well as spreading the knowledge about, and speak up for, the Sámi people, and our planet. Anna also strongly believe in timeless, conscious, and sustainable fashion, which is something that Sámi jewelry represent. “I have loved Sámi bracelets my whole life… I have worn them since I was a young girl. It feels absolutely amazing to be able to work with something that I truly believe in. I’m representing my whole family, our Pokka blood, the traditions and culture. I’m tying my heritage from back home to what I do here in Canada, the life that I live here… Sámi people are people of the wind and the sun. Wherever we go, all over Earth, we will be greeted and supported by the sun and the wind. They will always follow our path… I really feel at home here in the Canadian coastal mountains”
Anna hopes her handcraft will inspire you to get back to your roots, stand up for who you are, and find harmony in Nature. “Nature has it’s music for those who will listen…”
For long-lasting durability, remove the bracelet before showers and extended water activities. This because the leather might stiffen up and alter the braid. Native Sami craft meets today's fashion in my custom made exclusive Simply Swedish bracelets. www.simplysami.ca
