2026-05-02 – Kolrosing Inspired by Norwegian, Sámi, and Viking Designs (Online)
Class Details
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Schedule: May 2 (9:00 am-Noon and 1:00-4:00 pm CT) and May 3 (10:00 am-1:00 pm CT)
- Location: This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
- Instructor: Darlene Fossum-Martin
- Level of Instruction: Beginner Friendly
Description
Explore the age-old folk art kolrosing (coal-rose-ing)/kolskurd (coal-skerd), decorative fine-line incising on wood in the Norwegian tradition. Kolrosing is often used on utilitarian objects, like spoons, bowls, cups, and small boxes. It consists of one cut with the tip of a sharp tool, rubbed with a colorant such as ground tree bark or coffee grounds, then oiled to enhance the design.
You will have a choice of designs, such as simple borders; Viking motifs, geometric lines of the Sámi; or flower, leaf, and vine forms like those in rosemaling. Or, choose your own design.
Class will begin with a short history of kolrosing along with a PowerPoint presentation of pieces decorated with kolrosing from Vesterheim's collection and from museums throughout Norway.
Then you will learn how to make suitable wood choices and how to prepare the wood surface. Darlene will demonstrate the basics of kolrosing using incising techniques – both straight and curved lines, cross hatching, and shading with the stippling technique. She'll also teach how to use micro tools. While working on your practice board, she will cover how to care and hone your kolrosing knife, plus all about finishing for your piece.
The final class project will be a utilitarian 9 1/2" maple spoonula, a versatile, hybrid kitchen tool combining a spoon's concave shape with a spatula's flat edge.
Darlene teaches the traditional folk art kolrosing by emphasizing fun over perfection.
Supplies
This class includes a kit shipped to your home with a kolrosing knife, a spoonula, as well as a few other items to help with your kolrosing experience. (Value of $70)
If you are registering for this class in a location outside the United States, you will need to provide your own supplies. Please contact folkartschool@vesterheim.org when you register for more information about what materials are required for this class.
Additional Supplies
Students will need to provide a computer, laptop, or tablet with a camera and mic as well as a fast, reliable internet connection.
Special Instructions
When registering for the class, please make sure to use the mailing and email addresses you'd like the Zoom meeting invitations sent to. You will receive links to the Zoom sessions by email sometime during the week prior to the class. If this class is a gift, please sign up with the recipient's mailing and email addresses or be prepared to forward the kit and all communications.
Enrollment Deadline
April 17, 2026
Woodcarving classes are supported by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from the Eric and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust.
Figure carving and kolrosing classes are supported in part by generous gifts to the Vesterheim Annual Fund in Memory of Harley Refsal.