2027-03-13 - Learn Kolrosing through Viking, Celtic and Sámi Designs
Class Details
- Schedule: March 13-14 (9:00-5:00 pm CT)
- Location: This is an in-person class held at Vesterheim Folk Art School.
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Instructor: Darlene Fossum-Martin
- Level of Instruction: Beginner Friendly
Description
Explore the age-old folk art kolrosing (coal-rose-ing), also called kolskurd (coal-skerd), decorative fine-line incising on wood in the Norwegian tradition. Kolrosing, often used on utilitarian objects like spoons, bowls, cups, and small boxes, consisting 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 presentation of pieces decorated with kolrosing from Vesterheim's collection and from museums throughout Norway.
There will be instruction on making suitable wood choices and how to prepare the wood surface. Darlene will demonstrate the basics of kolrosing's incising techniques – both straight and curved lines, cross hatching, and shading with the stippling technique. She'll also show how to use micro tools.
Supplies
Can be purchased from instructor
- Kolrosing knife- $27.00, or bring your own if you have one.
- Choice of a 5” round basswood bentwood
box with cover or a 5” oval basswood
bentwood box with cover,$20.00 per box. - 6” basswood practice board $3.50.
Students must bring following items to class:
- 5” X 9” sheets sandpaper~ #240, #320 and #400 grit sandpaper. 1-2 sheets each.
- Graphite paper- 1 sheet
- tracing paper - 2 sheets
Both graphite and tracing paper available for sale at Vesterheim’s Gift Shop.
- Pencil and eraser (mechanical pencils work great if you are tracing a pattern onto your project if you will be free handing a pattern onto your project a soft lead pencil is recommended.
- Scissors
- Scotch Tape
- Soft cotton rags
- Awl or Stippler (tip the size of a sewing needle (can make by pushing a heavy duty darning type needle in to a cork (wine bottle corks work well.
- Cloth or plastic measuring tape or flexible clear plastic ruler(available in gift shop).
Instructor will provide:
- Black walnut (color pigment)
- finishing oil
- sanding sealer
.There will be a $30 fee for woodenware, paid directly to the instructor.
Enrollment Deadline
February 19, 2026
Woodcarving classes supported by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fundfrom the Eric and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust.
Figure carving and kolrosing classes supported in part by generous gifts
to the Vesterheim Annual Fund in Memory of Harley Refsal.