[Woodcarver] Trolls, Tomten, and Other Scandinavian Legends

[Mike Bloomquist]

Hey Gang, just got this from Tony Erickson.  I guess his ears were burning
<G>.

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OK all. 
I yield.
In researching my books and tales of Trolls I have found that Iceland has
peaceful trolls although they do keep to themselves and are subterranean.
They sleep for long periods of time and if they sleep outside they may turn
to stone as can be seen by the many Troll like rock formations in Iceland.
(Brian Pilkington's Icelandic Trolls, Mal Og Menning, printed by Norhaven
a/s, Viborg, Denmark)
But, as advised by my Swedish cousins, Scandinavians regard trolls as bad
luck. If you see a troll, dream of one or, even worse, someone sends you
one, you will be cursed. There are many Scandinavian tales of all the bad
that Trolls do. So please don't send one home.
So Mike, my Tomte cast a blessing upon you and remove your Evil Troll Maker
plaque.
In reviewing some of the Troll drawings you sure got the big nose and beady
eyes right!
 
Tony Erickson
anton at woodakoodashooda.com
www.woodakoodashooda.com

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Not to beat a dead horse, but I got it from a very good source in Sweden
that there are bad trolls and good trolls. This info came via Sally and
David Nye who just visited Sweden this past Spring where they did fan bird
research and visited friends.

On a different topic... Thank you, thank you, thank you to Sally and David
who also brought back an awesome collection of tomten related postcard art
which they gave to me at the NEWR.  Thanks to them I have a new pattern
making technique.  You keep flipping through the postcards until your head
is thoroughly saturated with the images, get deep into a carving zone (I
know you've been there before), grab a good piece of basswood, sketch your
idea directly on the wood, and start makin' chips.  It isn't as reliable as
sketches, pictures, and clay models, but it sure worked this time!  Must
have been tomten magic... Tony will be relieved <G>.  I'll have pics real
soon.

Keep on Carvin'
-Mike B.->