nannasalmi horsehair jewellery goes museum!

 

Lahti, our hometown, is a town of watch and jewellery makers. The School Of Watchmaking was founded in 1944 and was located in Lahti until 1959.

The goldsmith school was founded earlier, already in 1938, and schooling of goldsmiths and engravers still continues in Lahti.

Teachers of the watchmaking school started a watch collection for the use of the school, but the actual watch museum was founded not earlier than in the end of 1950’s. In 1981 Finland’s Watchmakers Foundation established in Helsinki the Finnish Museum of Horology, and the watch collection was donated there.

To add jewelleries to the collection of the watch museum was an item already about eight years ago. In a new location it would have been possible, but it took a year more of a juridical process to change the rules of the foundation. Finally in 14.6.2021 started the Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery Kruunu. The new museum will open its doors in March in Tapiola, Espoo. About a year ago, when it was clear that the rules of the foundation will be changed, Nanna was contacted by the museum.

”When I first saw a horsehair bracelet made by Nanna I was completely astonished how exquisite combination of woven miniature horsehair fabric and modern jewellery design it was. I knew this is something we have to get to the collection of the Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery. ”

Essi Pullinen, museum director 

Nanna and Essi met in the beginning of February and Nanna handed over the items for the museum collection.

”It was really great to meet Essi Pullinen and donate two pieces of my jewellery to the collection of the jewellery museum. When I made the first piece of my jewellery twenty two years ago I could not have imagined where it will lead.

The most important thing for me is that clients appreciate these jewelleries. I have heard dozens and dozens of stories of their horses and what these noble animals have ment to them. And though I have been weaving thousands of horse hair ribbons each hair bundle sent to me tells a new, interesting story. An emotional meaning of these jewelleries for those who wear them means a world to me. I feel honored to be able to create somethig so meaningful for them, items which will be some of the most valuable pieces in their jewellery box.  

But I also feel humble and greatful to receive honor from professional goldsmiths though I can’t make goldsmith work myself. The fact that jewelleries designed by me will be in a permanent collection in the only museum of the northern countries  specialized in watches and jewelleries is a great honor to me.”

In the museum’s jewellery collection there are now the bracelet Naomi and the ring Tuum.

"For the museum collection I chose the bracelet Naomi for two reasons: in its wide ribbon sophisticated patterns and colors are distinctly to be seen, and the plain design of the bracelet underscores its most important element, a miniature textile woven with horsehair. When I wear a piece of my jewellery, it’s Naomi."

”The ring Tuum was chosen by the same reasons as the bracelet Naomi. In this ring its distinct construction is clearly to be seen and Tuum is actually a basis of all the other rings in the collection.”

If you already have a piece of nannasalmi horsehair jewellery or you are planning to have one you know that it’s not just any jewellery. The ribbon is for you the most valuable part of it, but your jewellery is also much appreciated design which you can wear with love and joy your whole life.

And we assume that they are the first and only modern horsehair jewelleries in the collections of any museum...

See the whole collection and choose your own favourite one here:

nannasalmi horsehairjewellery shop

What is so special about the nannasalmi horsehair jewellery collection?

Because your horse is the most important, most beautiful and dearest, we think that the jewellery made with it´s hair should be as perfect, appreciated and valuable. That´s why so much thought, time and effort is put on each jewellery in nannasalmi collection.

Ribbons 

Ribbons in nannasalmi jewelleries are woven miniatyre textiles. The weaving technique is ancient, but was never used in jewelleries with horsehair before Nanna Salmi made her first item over twenty years ago.

Most of the horsehair jewelleries on market have a braided or plaited ribbon. Those techniques are easy and quick, not very difficult to learn.

Woven ribbons have special qualities:

• They are more durable, no hair strands sticking out
• They are fine and smooth
• It´s possible to weave a pattern to a ribbon that makes it more personal

In a weave hair strands reflect light beautifully and look very special and different compairing to braided or plaited hair.

This technique, even patterns and their names, are copied by some jewellery makers. As the technique is quite challenging you usually find items with pretty short ribbons like rings and bracelets.

Each horse has different kind of hair and even hair strands from the same tail varie of their thickness and quality. That´s why a long or broad, even ribbon is very difficult to weave.

Long ribbons are requiered when making bracelets, and even longer ones when making necklaces. Them you find in nannasalmi collection. Broad ribbons, 9 mm, are used also in some bracelets of the collection.

Necklace Coriano

Metal parts

Each part of each jewellery is hand cast and hand finished by a professional caster and goldsmith. All metal parts are designed by Nanna Salmi and used only in this collection. The only industrial parts are clasps and fasteners.

Engarvings are made manually by our extremely skilled engraver.

Bracelet Falcao

There are plenty of similar looking horsehair rings on a market. But if you take a better look you will see the difference.

Comparing to many other rings with horsehair ribbons, whether woven or braided, the nannasalmi rings are heavier and more massive. For example the golden ring Carus in size 18 weighs ca. 16 g. That is 16 g of pure gold.

Ring Carus

There is a reason for that:

• High edges protect the ribbon against abrasion and hits
• The rings are slightly convex inside which makes them very comfortable to wear

Stones

There are golden items with cubic zirconias or other gemstones on the market. Using cubic zirconias and other gemstones in gold and white gold rings lowers their price comparing to using diamonds.

In nannasalmi rings and other items,too, metals and stones are equivalent: with economical silver economical but high quality Swarovski cubic zirconias, with more valuable and expensive gold and white gold more valuable stones, diamonds. That is also a part of ethics of professional goldsmiths.

Ring Cassiopeia

Collection

The nannasalmi collection offers the most versatile selection of rings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, earrings, cufflinks and tiebars made with horse hair. We are sure that what ever your taste of jewellery is, you find your favourite in this collection.

We are proud to represent the original collection of woven horsehair jewellery and we are very delighted when you choose your special keepsake from this collection. Like almost 3000 clients all over the world already did. Thank you for that!

When you order a nannasalmi horsehair jewellery, you order fine jewellery which you can carry with pride and is, at least emotionally, the most valuable jewellery in your jewellery box.

horsehairjewellerynannasalmi.com

Perfect Midsummer, photos by Nanna Salmi

 Like every traditional celebration, also the Midsummer Eve (juhannus) 

contains traditions which are so important, that without them the 

day just doesn´t feel perfect.

Night before. Picking flowers, enjoying the 

nightless night already...

The day is long... 

It is so long that you have time to do many things

before the celebration in the evening. Nanna loves to go 

walking by the lake Vesijärvi.

And Otto loves to swim in the lake Vesijärvi!

It´s very usual that the weather changes quickly and dramatically

during the day. Even several times! If the morning was hot and

misty, the early afternoon can be something very different!

Midsummer lunch is eaten with the family and friends. 

Wild flowers play a big role in a table setting. Grandmother´s

table cloth and china is also in use.

Sweet, small, new potatoes and fish - that brings 

the taste of the summer into your mouth!

Does this need any words?

Recipe HERE!

After lunch and nap a little walk in a forest... Collect seven flowers, put them

under your pillow and you will see your fiance to be in your dream...

-More about the midsummer magic HERE-

What would make this special day a perfection?

Of course - taking the horses for a night swim as well!

After that it´s nice to dress up warm and sit by the fire till the early morning

and enjoy the lightest time of the year when the sun doesn´t go down.

This is the moment we wait for the whole dark and cold winter...

Have a wonderful Midsummer Eve!

Hyvää Juhannusta!

The original nannasalmi™ collection

nannasalmi™ collection is a horsehair jewelry collection created from horsehair, 

precious metals and diamonds. Each piece is completely hand-fashioned 

from your own horse’s hair in Finland.

The original collection is not sold under any other trademark or brand.

This unique collection was innovated by Nanna Salmi in 1999. The collection is
crafted using ancient techniques and materials – woven horsehair and diamonds
with silver, gold, white gold and platinum – combining old world craftsmanship
with contemporary modern design. These unique designs have been displayed
in shows such as Hampton Classic, WEF Wellington, Hickstead Dressage,
Longines Royal International Horse Show, CSI-W Geneva, GCT Monaco, Valkenswaard and Athens, CSI Amsterdam, Internationales Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt and many more.

This horsehair jewelry is worn around the world on cross country tracks, desert trails and show arenas. Clientele includes little jumper girls, Olympic and World champions – along with hunders of riders, who love and admire their equine companion.

Thank you for staying with the original collection - collection inspired by the genuine love for horses...

In the end of April 2016 you can see the collection in 

Horses & Dreams, Hagen am Teutoburger Wald, Germany.

Bracelets Puella and Naomi

www.horsehairjewellerynannasalmi.com

Enquiries and orders also by email

minna.maattanen@nannasalmi.com

FAQ: Why are The Originals more expensive than The Copies?

In one sentence:
It does not make any sense to sell copies that cost the same, or more, than the original ones.

Ring Amate by nannasalmi

When somebody creates something new, good, meaningful and special it is only
a matter of time when somebody comes, copies the idea and product and starts to sell it.
A designer handbag copies are a good example of the whole industry based on
taking advantage on somebody else´s work.

How is it possible to sell similar kind of products so much cheaper?

There are many things that make it possible:

• To create something new, special and unique you need creativity, new kind of thinking, initiativity, courage and belief on your product or idea. The creator has usually worked for a long time with something similar that has sustained the new ideas.  Read More here: What does it take to create something special?

Copycats don´t need these qualities or experience: using somebody else´s idea does not take creativity - it takes something else, you name it...

Bracelet Cedric by nannasalmi

• An idea is not a ready product yet. It takes time and effort to refine it, it might be a process of years. Many things have to be considered and thought about, problems solved, techniques tried.

Other people´s skills and know-how might also be needed. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right cooperators and  they get paid for their work and knowledge. Usually making prototypes is necessary. That is rather expensive because the prototypes are often made by hand or with techniques that are far more expensive than the final producing process.

Copycats don´t have to worry or spend their money and time on these kinds of things. That work and investment is already done by somebody else. Their "prototype" is a ready product made by somebody else.

Bangle Sol by nannasalmi

• After having a final product there is marketing to do. Nobody knows the product yet, it´s something new. Branding takes time - and yes - money. A brand is a combination of name (trademark), conspicuousness and reputation. A brand is not created over night, it´s not created only with money, and a reputation is something that only customers can give to you.

Copycats have a ready market and demand. A copycat often chooses a brand name similar to the original one and gets the benefits of a good reputation for free, without own achievements or effort. The saddest part of this is, that a copycat can ruin the reputation of the original ones.

Also to consider:

• Copies are often made by cheaper labor.
• Materials are usually not equal comparing to original ones. Have you ever seen a copy with better quality than the original one?
• Many of these copying companies are rather young and short-lived.You don´t get to see faces behind the products.
• Sometimes it is even impossible to contact the company especially when it comes to a reclamation.

Bracelet Puella by nannasalmi

When you buy a product - a handbag, sunglasses, a scarf, furniture - what ever - 

you always have a chance to think about the ethics of your choice. 

FAQ: Why the nannasalmi jewelries are more expensive than other woven horsehair jewelries?

There are many kinds of horsehair jewelries on a market. nannasalmi horsehair jewelries are woven, not braided or pleated. The technique takes much longer time but the result is more durable and it has a special look. Horsehair is not an easy material, there are different qualities of woven ribbons on a market.

Scirocco

• In nannasalmi jewelries only the best materials are used.
• Metals and stones are first class quality.

 Ring Cassiopeia has got 54 first class stones on it

• Our cooperators are highly respected professionals and they get paid like the high professionals should be paid. We can trust their own standards and quality.
• Each piece of nannasalmi horsehair jewelry is both hallmarked and labeled with Nanna Salmi's personal mark NSD.

When you wear a golden ring Carus, you wear ca. 13 g of gold 

After having a great idea and a ready product comes the tough part: you have to find your clients and sell the product. We are fortunate to have reliable, respected and reputable retailers. They make it possible the collection to be seen in equestrian events and they help us to serve our customers better.

Sales persons are the key persons for the company and they deserve to be rewarded, too.

You find our retailers here: Authorized retailers

nannasalmi horsehair jewelries have been on the market since 1990. We are fortunate to have happy customers all over the world. 

See some of our customers in FB album

Nanna Salmi is the woman behind this wonderful, unique collection. 

It all started from a genuine love for horses.

We want to thank you for choosing the original product.
We know how much these items mean to their owners and we have a great respect for that.

If you have any questions about Nanna Salmi, the brand, the products or
anything else related to this subject, please, leave a comment or send an email

minna.maattanen@nannasalmi.com

You might be interested in this, too:
From betrayed Clients of House of Salmi

Auf Deutsch:
Von betrogenen House of Salmi / Haus von Salmi Kunden

Thank You

Dear customers, dear collaborators, dear readers,


I have had the incredible 15 years with you and your horses. I have received beautiful tail hair, wonderful messages, heard amazing and touching stories...

I have had the priviledge to work with top professionals and wonderful agents. I´m happy I found and met you all!

It has been a long way. There has been ups and downs. But I have always believed in this product - so have you. Thank you for that.

No! These are not "goodbyes"! These are a big "hello, hello" for the next 15 years. I just feel
that this is a good moment to introduce my collaborators and give themthe c dit they deserve.

Anitte Stensgård, my first horse, my greatest inspiration

Tuisku, my second horse - what a wise mare

 Lidia Nagy and Alessandro Albanese - it was such a happy day
to have you visiting us here in Finland. Keep up the good work!

Stacey McMahon, Tailored Equestrian - thank you for staying with me
through this all.
 


Tatsuya Asano, Hakubado Kobe, Japan - you are a very special man.
It was fantastic that you also visited me in Finland.

photo Tarja Sipponen

Designer goldsmith Marjut Viitanen, Kultasepäntalo Marjut Viitanen - 

You have been a priceless help since the beginning, and most notably -

you understood my vision. Thank you for your beautiful work.

Goldsmith Lauri Eno, Hieno Jewel - in you I can trust when it comes to 

3D modelling and photographing jewelry. Thank you for your great work. 

And even on a short notice...

Engraver Tarja Kaarnakoski - you maintain nowadays more and more rare 

profession of hand engraving. You have a beautiful handwriting and

an excellent eye for space and size. Thank you for your exquisite work.

Second generation, my daughter Minna - thank you for your unconditional help
with marketing and social media.

Her husband Kari - thank you for economical advice and IT -support.

My son Sami - thank you for your help with graphic designs.
You´ve got talent.

My father, Jodi, Tiina, Monika, Elisabeth, Style My Ride, Paula,
Paul, Adriana, Anniina, all my friends, all of you cooperating
with me in one way or another
- you know what you have done, how you have helped and supported me -
So grateful!

And last, but not least:
Thank you all our customers all over the world!
Thank you for following us in Facebook and Instagram.

Without you there would not be us...

Kindest regards, Nanna Salmi

www.horsehairjewellerynannasalmi.com

Horsehair Fabrics - Pure Luxury

Horsehair is a protein fiber, like human hair or silk. It does not absorb water but can be easily dyed. Horsehair has been used for many purposes since a human being has lived with horses and using it in making fabric is probably one of most impressive, but challenging purposes.

Horsehair quality and length varies a lot, it can be very stiff or very fine and soft. The quality
depends on the breed, diet, health, climate...

For making fabric out of horsehair the hair has to be chosen carefully.

The Spaniards might have been the first ones to use horsehair as textile the 8th. The first documented use is from the 9th century in Switzerland. The Swiss used it for the plans of St. Gall Abbey. The plans, a blueprint for a monastic compound in medieval times, are a national preserved treasure to the Swiss that were said to have been weaved with horsehair.

In the 19th century horsehair was quite common as upholstery stuffing and covering fabric. Horsehair fabrics are very durable and there is that same luxurious shimmer that linen and silk have. When you touch the fabric it is almost impossible to imagine that the material is the same that you brush at the stables...

Eliel Saarinen (1873 – 1950) was a famous Finnish architect who also designed furniture.
His style was art deco, the Finnish art deco was called "national romantic" and it had influence from jugend, too.

These chairs and dining tables are originally designed for his home in Cranbrook, UK (1929-1930). They are made of birch but also mahogany, satinwood, American and European maple veneers are used in decoration.

Tetrimäki Ltd continues the long tradition of Finnish fine carpentry by training new carpenters and master carpenters together with educational institutions.Their goal is to bring the furniture of Eliel Saarinen to Finnish homes and raise its profile internationally.

The company is dedicated to maintaining top quality and preserving the unique heritage of Eliel Saarinen and horsehair fabrics are still used. Use links below the photo to see details on producers site.

photo Tetrimäki Ltd

photo Tetrimäki Ltd

Upholstery stuffing is horsehair, the covering fabric is designed by Eliel Saarinen and manufactured by the respected John Boyd Textiles Ltd. John Boyd died in 1890 but the company still produces fabrics made of horse hair.

The tradition of horsehair weaving is continued in Castle Cary and they use the original looms and techniques of over 125 years ago. John Boyd Textiles Ltd is one of the last surviving horsehair weavers in the world.

Bill Batten for Willer, photo from johnboydtextiles.co.uk/projects

As you can see the horsehair fabrics are very sophisticated and elegant.

When Nanna Salmi brushed her mare´s tail she thought that it must be possible
to make a miniature textile, a woven ribbon, of horsehair too. She tried and the result of that experiment can be seen in her collection of fine jewelry.

Most of horsehair jewelries are plaited, braided or somehow twisted, these ribbons are really "miniature textiles".

Two rings Amate in gold, ribbons 'arrow head' and 'check' to USA 

Enquiries and orders by email

minna.maattanen@nannasalmi.com