Traveling with [Laurie Jacobi] to the market was like traveling with a rock star," says Jan Michaletz, Chair of the Board of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, who joined Laurie on a trip to the event, which was established by the Saami, the indigenous people of Scandinavia, more than 400 years ago. "Everyone knew Laurie's and [Mary Jane Miller]'s work. When people see their creations, they are in awe - they capture the spirit of Scandinavia without being costume-y. It's a unique representation of modern Sweden. People love it.
"There's an authenticity to what we create that touches people," notes Laurie. "It's so much more than just fashion. There's a mystical, spiritual element that speaks to a certain kind of person. Not the kind of person who says, 'Oh, that's cute, bu...
... stories of the trees, bears, wolves and eagles were so moving. It felt so real living amongst it....