SWEDISH
SOUVENIRS
Find The Perfect Gift for Your Swedish Family & Friends!!
The Swedish Dala Horse
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The Dalecarlian Horse
It was in the small log-cabins deep in the Swedish forests during the long winter nights in front of a log fire that the forerunner of Sweden�s most famous souvenir, the Swedish Dala Horse was born. Using simple tools, generally only a knife, wooden toys were carved for the children. The fact that many horses were made was only natural, because the horse to them was invaluable. A trusty friend and worker who could pull great loads of timber from the forests during the winter months and in the summer could be of just as much use on the farm.
Since Viking Times, the horse has been considered a holy animal. In many cultures throughout history, wooden horses have been carved as children's toys. In central Sweden, wood scraps from the local furniture-making trade, paint-pigment from nearby copper mines, and long winter evenings bred the development of the Swedish Dala Horse. Traditions vary in giving credit to woodsmen and to soldiers for originating the craft. Dala Horses from the Nusn�s-Mora area first appeared with their familiar bright decoration in the 1800's when the kurbit, or flower patterned saddle, was regularly added to them. This design comes from the Biblical story in which Jonah sat outside the city of Ninevah and the Lord caused a Kurbit, or gourd vine, to grow up beside him to protect him from the desert sun.
In the older days the Dala Horse was mostly a toy for children, but nowadays it is a symbol for the kingdom of Sweden .
The earliest references of wooden horses for sale are from 1623 - nearly 400 years ago!
The pattern of today's Swedish Dala Horse is about 150 years old, and it reflects a style of painting known as "Kurbits". In the 19th century, Stick�- Erik Hansson from Mora, introduced the technique of painting with two colors in the same brush. Even today the Dala Horses are hand carved and hand painted in this traditional way.
The Swedish Swedish Dala Horse gained international popularity when it was chosen by the National Crafts Union for part of the Swedish display at the Paris Exposition in the mid-19th century. Skills for creating the Swedish Swedish Dala Horse have been passed from generation to generation and today it is one of the few living folk traditions of Sweden. Men of the village carve the horses at home, bringing them back to the main workshop to be painted by skilled artists there. Most Nusn�s-Mora Dala Horses are the traditional reddish color, but the same workshops also produce blue, black and natural horses. Other towns in the region are known for different colors and styles of horses.
The Swedish Dala Horse of today is still a handicraft article, made of pine, and at least nine different persons have contributed with their skill to create the horse.
Grannas A. Olsson Hemsl�jd AB was founded 1922 and is today the oldest company making Swedish Dala Horses. Nils Olsson's Hemsl�jd is almost as old.
The Dala Horse is a popular Swedish handicraft and souvenir. The name comes from its home province, Dalarna, in central Sweden. Most popular are the red-orange Dalahorse from the little village of Nusn�s near Mora.
Our Swedish Dala Horses all come from either Nils Olsson's or Grannas Olsson's in Nusn�s, the Dala Horses have a label showing that they are authentic and where they were made. When we talk about �souvenirs� it�s usually something mass-produced in a faraway country, which has nothing to do with the place where we buy them. A Swedish Dala Horse is a well known souvenir from Sweden, but the Swedish Dala Horses are still hand carved and hand painted in the center of Sweden!
Along with the Swedish Dala Horse you will get a booklet describing the story of the Swedish Dala Horse.
The Swedish Dala Horse is the symbol of Sweden, it�s a souvenir made by hand! The name of the Swedish Dala Horse comes from its home province, Dalarna, in central Sweden. Most popular are the red-orange horses from the little village of Nusn�s near Mora. In the old days the Swedish Dala Horses used to have different colors depending in which village they were made. To day you can find the Swedish Dala Horses in all kinds of colors and shapes.
Our Swedish Dala Horses are approximately 4", 6" or 10" high. The Dala Horses are hand carved and hand painted so the details on all horses are slightly different. The Swedish Dala Horses come in 4 different colors, Red, Blue, Black & White.
Swedish Dala Horse Jewelry
When you see the Miniature Wooden Dala Horses it�s hard to believe that they are made by hand and painted by hand! The tiny wooden Swedish Dala Horse is only 3/4 inch (18 mm) high! The miniature Swedish Dala Horses are painted in the same beautiful design as the larger ones. We offer Miniature Wooden Swedish Dala Horse Necklaces and Swedish Dala Horse Ear Rings.
The Swedish Dala Horse Silver Necklaces are also adorable with their fine details. The little Silver Dala Horse is 1/2" high and made of Sterling Silver, the chains are 18" long.
Swedish Dala Horse Baby Quilts
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Baby Crib Bedding
Are you looking for something truly unique?
Get a Swedish Dala Horse Baby Quilt or a complete Swedish Dala Horse Baby Crib set! Your choice of Swedish Dala Horses on Blue, White, Off White or Yellow. The Swedish Dala Horse Fabric is made in Sweden so with this print you get a truly "Swedish Baby Quilt"!
Swedish Dala Horse Baby & Toddler Quilts
The Swedish Dala Horse Baby Quilts are approximately 43" x 34" and made like my other Baby Quilts. The Swedish Dala Horse print is available with Dala Horses on Blue, White, Off White or Yellow.
Dala Horse Baby Crib Bedding
The Swedish Dala Horse Crib Sets have the same design as my other Crib Sets. Your choice of Dala Horses on Blue, White, Off White or Yellow. Many of our Swedish Dala Horse Nursery Accessories can be used in other parts of your home as well! Get a Swedish Dala Horse Lamp Shade, Swedish Dala Horse Valances, Swedish Dala Horse Pillows & more!
Swedish Home D�cor
Are you one of many Americans with Swedish ancestors? You are not alone!
Approximately 4 million Swedes moved to America during a 100-year period. Sweden of today has 9 million inhabitants! Quite a few Swedes are still moving to America every year, but we are not coming here to avoid famine in Sweden like many of your ancestors were.
Swedish Style
Carl Larsson (1853-1919), Sweden 's best-known artist, and his wife, Karin, influenced the Swedish Design of a century ago. Today, their ideas and styles seem just as fresh and are copied in homes around the world. If you like Carl Larsson, get his �Portfolio of Prints�, with 14 of his beautiful paintings to embellish your home. The Carl Larsson�s prints make great gifts too!
Swedish Home D�cor
We now offer quite a large variety of Swedish products for your home. It doesn�t matter if you only want to add a few Swedish things to your home or if you want to create a �Swedish Home� in America. We have a little something for everyone!
Swedish Kitchen D�cor
Dala Horses
Are you looking for something Swedish for your Kitchen?
Don�t miss the beautiful Dala Horse Towels with in woven Dala Horses in white and blue! Our Dala Horse Pot Holders are handmade, and padded so they can be used as Pot Holders, not just as decoration.
For your kitchen table get one of our beautiful Swedish Tablecloths with Dala Horses!
We now also carry the adorable Swedish Placemats with Dala Horses.
Our �Dala Horse Parade Tray� is great to carry things on but leave it out and it will add a little Swedish touch to your kitchen! Matching �Dala Horse Parade Napkins� are also available.
Get a Swedish �Dala Horse Napkin Holder� for your Swedish Napkins! We have lots of Swedish Napkins with different d�cor!
The Swedish Napkin Holders work fine to keep letters in as well, so get one for your desk!
To add a little Swedish flair to your Swedish Kitchen, decorate with a few Swedish Dala Horses in different sizes and colors! The Swedish Dala Roosters are not as common as the Swedish Dala Horses but they will look great in your kitchen. The little statues with a Girl in Swedish Costume and a Swedish Dala Horse are really pretty, we only have a few left, so don�t miss getting one!
Swedish Crystal
Scandinavian crystal is admired around the world, we now offer 3 different Swedish candleholders from Orrefors, and Kosta Boda, the famous Swedish glassworks. These candleholders are adorable! The crystal candle holders are gift boxed so they make great gifts!
Swedish Candle Holders
You see lots of candleholders and lit candles in Swedish homes. The winters are long in Sweden and with the closeness to the North Pole the sun barely raises during the winter months. In the northern part of Sweden the sun doesn�t raise at all in the winter time, but they do get compensated during the summer months when the sun doesn�t set at all!
The Swedish Crystal Candle Holders are truly beautiful with the flickering light shining though the crystal!
The "Kristina" Iron Candle Holder can be used as a chandelier, or a tabletop centerpiece. This graceful new design can be used as both.
Swedish Calendars
A Swedish Calendar will look great in your Kitchen or anywhere in your home! We offer the following Swedish Calendars to help you keep organized next year!
The Dala Horse cloth Calendars are great for small spaces.
The "Splendor of Sweden Calendar" has great photos of the people and Swedish countryside, details of Scandinavian handiwork, and traditional name days.
Days of the week are in American-order, Sunday - Saturday.
The "Swedish Provinces Calendar" presents a colorful provincial countryside, village, or farm scene by Swedish artist Erkers Marie Persson. Typical folk costumes and interesting information about the province and the scene depicted are also included. Swedish Name Days listed. Text in Swedish, English and German. Days of the week arranged European-style Monday to Sunday.
The "Carl Larsson Calendar" gives you Charming watercolors from the very special world of Swedish painter Carl Larsson.
Major holidays of the world are noted. One dozen lovely prints, suitable for framing at year's end.
SWEDISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
You could say that Christmas in Sweden begins as early as at the 1st of Advent, four Sundays before Christmas Eve. The religious tradition of Advent is still important in Sweden . Read HERE about Swedish Christmas Traditions, Advent, St Lucia, Gl�gg, Peppar Kakor, Lussekatter & much more!
A SVENSK JUL � A SWEDISH CHRISTMAS
SWEDISH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
In the days before
Christmas, Swedes decorate their homes with
Christmas ornaments: candlesticks, tapestries, stars, goats made of straw, and "Tomtar". The
"Tomte" is the Swedish name for Santa Claus and originates from a dwarfish guardian of the farm.
THE JULBOCK � CHRISTMAS GOAT
The straw
Julbock is a popular figure that Swedes like to place under their Christmas trees. It's believed that these small
Christmas Goats, were once made from the last shafts of the harvest crop and symbolized the power of rejuvenation and fertility.
JULGRANEN - THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The Swedish Christmas tree is usually brought in a day or two before Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree decorations of today are similar to the one found in American Christmas trees. In the old days people used to make their own Christmas tree decorations, but nowadays many families don�t have the time to keep up this Christmas tradition.
SWEDISH CHRISTMAS FOOD
In Sweden Christmas in celebrated on Christmas Eve. One other central element of Swedish Christmas is the special Christmas Food. The typical Christmas Eve meal starts with a sm�g�sbord(smorgasbord) of various kinds of pickled herring, liver p�t�, smoked sausages, oven-roasted pork ribs, cabbage, meatballs, "Jansson's Temptation" (a potato gratin with pickled sprats) and the much longed-for Christmas Ham - often followed by "lutfisk" (dried ling previously soaked in lye) and rounded off with a special creamy Christmas Porridge (rice pudding) served with sugar and cinnamon.
Get one of our Swedish cookbooks to find recipes for the traditional Swedish Christmas dishes!
We are now happy to present even more Christmas decorations for your Swedish Christmas!
Now you can fill your Christmas Tree with Dala Horses! See our cute Dala Horse Ornaments that will be a nice addition to your Christmas tree!
The Swedish Brass Tree Top Star is truly beautiful when it shines down one the tree. Along with our Straw Ornaments, Straw Stars & Straw Hearts it will complete your Swedish Christmas Tree!
The Swedish Tomtes and Straw Goats will look good anywhere in your home during the Holidays.
SWEDISH BOOKS
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SWEDISH CHILDREN�S BOOKS
Swedish Cook Books
A few Swedish Cook Books for you who is longing for some Swedish food... Learn how to make Swedish Food, Swedish meatballs, ostkaka, pepparkakor and much more! Get a Swedish Cook book with recipes for Swedish food, cookies, bread, and desserts!
�Favorite Swedish Recipes�,
�Our Beloved Sweden�,
�Swedish Recipes�.
Swedish Travel Books
Take a look at our great travel books about Sweden. See pictures from Stockholm but also photos from other parts of the beautiful Sweden . Find interesting facts about places where your ancestors came from. Lots of photos showing the country side and cities of Sweden.
The books about Sweden make great gifts!
�Journey Through Sweden�,
�Stockholm�,
�Sweden�,
�Sweden (Eyewitness Travel Guides)�,
�Stockholm (Eyewitness Travel Guides)�,
Are you planning on visiting Sweden, get a new travel guide about Sweden:
�Sweden (Eyewitness Travel Guides)�,
published in May 2005, and our handy book with Swedish phrases!
�Berlitz Swedish Phrase Book �.
Swedish History
Would you like to know some more about Swedish History?
Don�t miss our great book about Swedish History, from the ancient Vikings to Sweden of today!
�Sweden: The Nation's History, by Franklin D. Scott �.
Swedish Dala Horses
Today you could call the Swedish Dala Horse, the symbol of Sweden, but in this book you can find out how it all started hundreds of years ago! The most famous Swedish Dala Horse of today is red, but back in the old days, each village in Dalarna had it�s own colored horse! Find out more about the story behind the Swedish Dala Horse in
�Wooden Horses of Sweden�!
Wilhelm Moberg
If you haven't read the books by Wilhelm Moberg yet, do it!
His story is about a family who moves from Sweden to America during the 17th hundred, how they try to survive and settle down in Minnesota. Wilhelm Moberg�s books give you a part of Swedish History during the time when so many Swedes and other Europeans had to give up everything they had and leave their homes because of famine.
Many of them came to America after traveling for weeks and months onboard a ship.
Wilhelm Moberg did a lot of research and interviewed many Swedish Americans before he wrote his books. There are four books in his series, but they can be read separate as well.
�The Emigrants� by Wilhelm Moberg,
�Unto a Good Land� by Wilhelm Moberg,
�The Settlers� by Wilhelm Moberg,
�The Last Letter Home� by Wilhelm Moberg,
Carl & Karin Larsson
Carl Larsson is one of my favorite painters. If you like his paintings and get the opportunity to visit Sweden, don�t miss visiting his home in Sundborn, Dalarna! This is the place where he created so many of his masterpieces and you can still see his home the way he painted it.
Karin Larsson, Carl�s wife was also an artist but she gave up her career when she married Carl Larsson. While raising the family�s children she designed and made beautiful textile projects. In their home in Sundborn you can still see the beautiful things Karin wove and embroidered. She also designed furniture for their home. Many of the things she created have influenced today�s furniture!
If you can�t visit Sweden right now, get one of our books about Carl Larsson and his wife! If you like Carl Larsson�s paintings, don�t miss the opportunity to get his portfolio with 14 reproductions of Carl Larsson�s most famous paintings!
Decorate your own home with Carl Larsson�s paintings or give them as gifts to friends and family!
�World of Carl Larsson�,
�CARL & KARIN LARSSON: Creators of the Swedish Style�,
�Carl Larsson: Portfolio of Prints�,
Swedish Children�s Books �
Astrid Lindgren & Rolf Lidberg
We are finally happy to present some Swedish Children�s books!
Here are some books by one of my favorite Swedish writers; Astrid Lindgren.
You have probably heard about Pippi Longstocking, but she is only one of hundreds of characters that Astrid Lindgren wrote about. The Pippi books are funny, and there are so many other great stories by Astrid Lindgren so it�s been hard to choose!
Many of Astrid Lindgren�s books are funny, but she also wrote about sad things, one of my favorites is her book about The Brothers Lionheart.
Astrid Lindgren has written hundreds of children�s books, if you are looking for a special one, please send us an email and we can probably get it for you.
�Ronia, the Robber's Daughter� by Astrid Lindgren,
�The Children of Noisy Village� by Astrid Lindgren,
�Christmas in Noisy Village� by Astrid Lindgren,
�The Brothers Lionheart� by Astrid Lindgren,
�The Tomten� by Astrid Lindgren.
Here is an other great Swedish children�s book!
�Troll� By Rolf Lidberg
Blue Swedish Dala Horse
Swedish Souvenirs - Dala Horses in 4 Colors
Dala Horse Fabric
Swedish Girl & Dala Horse
Swedish Girl & Dala Horse
Swedish Souvenirs - Towel with Dala Horses
Swedish Books - Stockholm
Swedish Christmas Tomtes - Jul Tomtar
Swedish Souvenirs - Swedish Dala Roosters