Naturally Dyed Bone Needle Case

Teacher: Monika Hint

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Monika Hint has been researching bone processing technologies during her master’s studies at UT Viljandi Culture Academy (2013). Her company, Koordikamber grew out of her master’s thesis “Bone items: raw material, processing technologies and product development”.
Koordikamber makes bone, horn and skin items and experiments with technologies and materials. Making bone items is her way to produce durable and valuable items out of natural material and a way to honour the ancestors, their economic way of thinking and living.

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People all around the world have created items from bones, horns, and teeth since the Palaeolithic age. In most cases, materials from animals that were hunted or farmed were used. The needle case has belonged to the ethnographic heritage of Nordic peoples since prehistoric times. In Estonia as well, tubular bone needle cases have been found in archaeological excavations. Today, as it was historically, the needle case is both a practical accessory and a beautiful piece of jewellery. Bone and metal needles can be attached to felt or fabric inside the needle case for convenient carrying.

In the workshop, participants will make a bone needle case. For processing bone, simple tools such as knives, different files, drills, a goldsmith saw, are used.For giving the final touch, sanding paper and bee wax are used. The raw materials for the items are the jaw and pipe bones of an elk that has previously been processed. In the end, the items can be dyed with natural dyes available in nature (such as violet, tagetes and blueberry).

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The bone material and dyes are included in the participation fee. The workshop is suitable for beginners.