Sølvsmedtunet
Master Silversmith Astrid Søftestad
– a master in the art since 1982
Jewellery
We sell custom-made designer jewelry, rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches. Traditional jewelery for Telemark folk costume, necklaces, buttons and belt buckles.
Giftshop
An unique gift shop, with exciting selection of jewelry and gifts for birthdays, weddings, christening and friend gifts, which you cannot find anywhere else.
Workshop
Astrid forms the silver out of sheets and threads, hammered, glowed and soldered, simple lines inspired from beautiful rock formations and the nature in Vrådal.
Santa’s loft
Christmas shop with Santas, angels and beautiful christmas decorations – a selection that can only be experienced. We also stamp christmas post with our own custom stamp, which gets sent out in December. Open all year round!
A selection of our products
As the earth passes its axis, the clouds glide by and the sun is warming … I’m still searching for inspiration, enthusiasm, glow and creativity, to discover new shapes …
Our history
1982
Startup in Nissedal
Astrid Søftestad starts her own silversmith in the hometown of Nissedal, after graduation as a silversmith. The production was mostly bunad silver.
1988
The Santa’s loft
The Santa’s Loft takes shape in a restored, old timber cabin along the banks of Nisser. Both children and adults have visited and brought home memories from the shop. From 1991 onwards, The Santa’s Loft has its own custom stamp from Santa in Nissedal.
1989
Apprenticeship
Astrid takes in her first apprentice. Many have been learning and passed the silversmith exams, and it is with joy and enthusiasm the craft is being passed on to a new generation. A total of 10 apprentices have passed a proficiency test, and several have continued the route to become goldsmiths.
2002
The fairytale in Vrådal
Time changes and we moved the operation to Vrådal. A new floor is built onto the silversmith, and all the Santas moves into the loft. We are now next door to Quality Straand Hotell og Resort. Kilehandlaft has repeatedly represented most of the timber / lafte buildings at the Sølvsmedtunet, with timber from the districts along Nisser. After the grand opening in Vrådal, Astrid collaborated with Designer Elise Thiis Evensen to design and craft a series of jewelry under the name of Eventyrsølv.
2003 – 2017
Gallery Sølvsmedtunet
Gallery Sølvsmedtunet has its own building in the yard, and several famous Norwegian artists have exhibited during the summers; Vebjørn Sand, Eivind Sand, Rolf Neli, Hans Normann Dahl, Tore Juell, Th.Rittun, Knut Flatin, Gro Mukta Holter, Dang Van Ty and more.
2010 – 2017
New collections
New jewelry collections is realised in clean, modern lines. Astrid is now behind the design and innovation of the jewelry at Sølvsmedtunet, which is being produced at the workshop, as well as the production of bunad silver in the Telemark tradition.
Gallery Sølvsmedtunet
Opening ceremony
Sunday July 7th 12:30pm
The artist will be present during the opening ceremony
Open weekdays 9am-5pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 11am-4pm
Contact us
Contact
Astrid Søftestad
Cell pone: +47 97 57 40 76
Phone: +47 35 04 72 33
Email: post@solvsmedtunet.no
Address
Sølvsmedtunet
Kviteseidvegen 1684 E
N-3853 Vrådal
Norway
Opening hours
Christmas, thurs – sat: 10:00-15:00
Monday: 10:00-17:00
Tuesday – friday: 09:00-17:00
Saturday: 10:00-15:00
Sunday: Closed