We step out of the car together. The old wooden buildings around us set a nostalgic tone, while the fells rise behind them under a pastel sky hinting at the coming polar night. In the heart of Äkäslompolo, cradled by the mountains, something unique is about to happen – where tradition, history, and creativity meet at Arctic Artefact’s reindeer antler workshop.
The house stands firmly in the middle of the yard. We walk inside, greeted warmly by Joni Kaulanen. Climbing the stairs, the first thing we notice are the vibrant walls – orange everywhere. A cheerful splash of color on a dim afternoon. We’re here to take part in a reindeer antler workshop, where you can craft your own holiday keepsake, a gift for someone special, or simply spark your creativity in a new way.
Arctic Artefact – stepping into a world of creativity
We start by hearing pieces of the house’s history. Joni’s grandfather built Leho’s third main house in 1958 to host guests. Back then, there were 32 beds, electricity arrived in 1967, and the phone number was simply 14. Ten of those beds were in the very room that now serves as the workshop. Ten beds in this space, I think. As the saying goes – “where there’s room in the heart, there’s room in the home”. Sometimes I feel like I’d love to step back in time, I muse, as Kaulanen continues his story.
Ilta, Joni’s grandmother, loved colors and somehow managed to choose Joni’s favorite shade for the hallway panels long before he was born. After we shed our outdoor clothes in the upstairs hall, we step into the workshop itself, where warm reindeer hides cover the benches and the walls are full of details. Sitting down at the table, I can’t help but notice the neatly arranged brochures, glass dip pens with ink bottles, and quirky lamps casting a warm glow. The air smells cozy.
With a gentle voice, Joni explains what happens next and what kind of antler items we can create. Each participant gets to craft two unique pieces from pre-cut reindeer antler slices – magnets, pendants, keychains, or a pair of earrings. Beside each seat lies a leaflet introducing different symbols and their meanings.
Sámi symbols, Lapland’s craft traditions and history inspire the workshop
My first task is to choose the right pieces of reindeer antler – while listening closely to Joni’s stories about the symbols, their history, and meanings. A capercaillie perched on a treetop, for example, could be a bad omen. Birds behaving strangely were once seen as signs of misfortune.
I decide to make a magnet and a keychain. Next, I dive deeper into the world of symbols, thinking about the story I want my creations to tell. I choose to craft an antler magnet that reflects the traditional Sámi worldview through its symbols.
The history behind the symbols
These same symbols were traditionally used on Sámi drums. When Christianity arrived, the drums were destroyed or hidden. Some symbols even absorbed influences from the new monotheistic faith – or at least that’s what was told to those determined to keep their own beliefs alive.
Because of the intolerance of the new dominant religion, there are no definitive interpretations of the drum symbols or their combinations. Knowledge relies on oral tradition and the educated guesses of researchers who have studied the subject deeply. Very few original drums remain: of the hundreds that survived persecution, almost all were lost in the Copenhagen fire of 1795. From Finland, only three drums exist today, all housed in museums abroad.
Finnish drums depict three levels of existence, each with its own purpose: Ylinen (the upper world of gods and wisdom), Alinen (the lower world of ancestors and healing), and Keskinen (the middle world of humans and nature spirits). Every chosen symbol tells a story from these realms. In the old worldview, the lower world was not a dark place. The image of a vengeful hell only emerged under Christian influence, giving rise to the concept of “Rotaimo”, the evil afterlife. In truth, the lower world was seen as a source of help for life’s challenges, where ancestors continued their existence in another form.
How to Craft Reindeer Antler Products – the Joy of Working with Your Hands
I choose symbols that speak to me in this moment. For the upper part of my magnet, I pick Ukko, the supreme god of Finnish mythology. God who brought rain, life, and cleansed the air of disease. If Ukko wasn’t appeased with offerings, he would strike with his hammer in anger.
With the antler piece and idea chosen, we trace its outline onto paper and sketch the design first, testing the glass dip pens on a sample piece. Even though I have some drawing experience, I quickly realize that practice makes the master here too. But wow – how enjoyable and relaxing this is! To fully immerse in the moment and create something unique. The antler’s surface feels smooth along the edges and more porous in the center.
The room alternates between cheerful chatter and focused silence. As the workshop guide, Joni moves around helping us, offering tips, and cleaning the ink pens when they clog.
Sometimes my gaze wanders around the room, and soon the lace-patterned candles catch my attention with curiosity and admiration. One by one, everyone takes a turn drilling holes into the pieces that need them. I get such clear instructions that I can’t help but laugh. Adorable. Joni makes sure the drilling is safe, and the drill whirs sharply through the bone until I lift the bit and the hole is ready. This is exactly the kind of hands-on work I love – learning something new and experimenting with what happens when I dip the pen a little deeper into the ink.
In this workshop, nothing goes to waste. Most of the antler is first cut into slices and then transformed into souvenirs – either by the customer or by Joni himself. The leftover pieces are ground into antler powder using a curly birch mortar, and Joni hopes that soon these will also find their way into the world with satisfied customers.
The Result of the Reindeer Antler Workshop – a Unique Souvenir from Lapland
When the products are finished, they are placed in a small wooden chest, and the workshop host applies a thin layer of varnish to seal them. This ensures our creations will last for years to come. As a final touch, we attach the necessary details: a magnet glued to the back or a leather cord tied according to instructions, so the pendant can be worn right away. Every step is carefully planned and anticipated—though we still encounter pleasant surprises along the way.
An Experience That Stays With You
We linger for a while, chatting and taking photos of our beautiful new creations against soft reindeer hides. This was such a warm and genuine experience, one that pleasantly surprised me and truly exceeded expectations. If you want to experience Lapland’s craft traditions with your own hands and create a story that travels with you, book your spot at the reindeer antler workshop in advance. This is an experience you won’t forget.