- The idea came to me very slowly but surely. Sometimes, while grooming my horse Nitte and brushing her tail, I would held her tail hair in my hand and wonder if it would be possible to make a strong ribbon using her hair, and that it would be interesting to try to do something that nobody had done or seen before. But I never tried, since there were so many projects I was already working on. The idea was like a wavering morning mist... It appeared and then disappeared again.
Finally Nanna's adventure into tail hair weaving began as an emotional gift — a birthday surprise for a close friend. - Nitte stayed at the nearby farm together with several other horses. The other boarders and I wanted to give something special to the stable owner for her 40th birthday. It just popped out from my mouth, without even thinking, that I could try to make her a piece of jewellery using hair from three generations of her mares. Everybody thought it was a great idea and so the gift problem was solved. And there it was, a big promise and a beautiful vision.
-Weaving tail hair is not so easy and simple as it sounds. For decades I have worked with textiles and yarn. I have made applications and quilt work, I have made rugs. I have designed knitwear, embroidery, clothing and interior decoration textiles etc. This background helped me and horse hair really caught me... Nanna wove the first ribbon, went to the goldsmith and gave him Nitte's olive bit and asked him to make it in a smaller scale. Then the tiny bit was attached to the ribbon and the first necklace was ready.
- I will never forget the moment my friend got her birthday present. We were about a dozen of boarders celebrating her at the dinner table. At the dessert time she started to open her presents, looked at the necklace and said ”nice”, put the box away and started to open the next one.When the lady beside her notified that the ribbon was actually made of her three mares' hair,
tears started to well in her eyes. It was truely an emotional moment full of amazement, happiness and joy.
The delight on her friend's face upon receiving this exceptional gift ignited a passion in Nanna. She realized that she had invented something special: this was not just jewellery; it was a personal treasure celebrating a deep bond over horses. This moment marked the beginning of a unique craft that would resonate with many fellow horse enthusiasts.
In the realm of artistry and craftsmanship, creativity often blossoms from familiar roots rather than from sheer novelty. Nanna, a dedicated textile artist, exemplifies this concept with her unique approach to weaving tail hair into beautiful jewellery. This innovative method not only highlights her skills but also preserves cherished connections to her horse-riding legacy. - I wouldn´t say that having a pony was my biggest dream when I was a child. My dream was to be a Red Indian and I practised to build teepees and to tiptoe in a forest, Nanna says laughing.
- I only started riding when we moved to the country and I got riding lessons as a birthday present when I got fourty. It was not love at the first sight, after every lesson I decided I will not come back to the stables never ever again. It was too scary, a horse seemed like a mountain high and it made strange movements. But after the seventh riding lesson even wild horses could not have kept me off from the saddle.
Nanna, Anitte Stensgård aka Nitte in early 90´s and a bracelet Shoe-shoe
As her creations caught the attention of other horse lovers, demand for Nanna's jewellery surged. Soon, what started as a single gift transformed into a thriving collection, each piece reflecting a personal tale.
Both hobby riders and elite equestrians recognized Nanna as a trusted artist who blended elegance with their unique stories.
- Since then I have woven thousands of ribbons. I have customers all over the world: hobby riders, olympic riders and all kind of horse lovers in between. I feel fortunate to be able to offer them something meaningful and beautiful.
Nanna's pieces stand out due to her innovative fusion of tail hair weaving and detailed goldsmith work. By combining traditional textile methods with modern design, her jewellery becomes an extraordinary blend of artistry and elegance.
For most customers Nanna's jewellery does more than beautify; it encapsulates cherished memories of their horses. Each piece incorporates strands of hair from their own equine companions, creating a personalized keepsake.
Her relentless attention to detail has set her apart in a market filled with mass-produced jewellery. Not only does she engage with her customers, sharing the stories behind each creation, but she also ensures that the craftsmanship in every piece is unrivaled.
Nanna's journey into the art of weaving tail hair is a testament to creativity and personal expression. By merging her textile skills with a love for horses, she has carved out a niche within the jewellery world.
Through her innovative designs, Nanna showcases a fusion of craftsmanship, cultural heritage and deep emotional connections. Her work significantly enriches her customers' lives, serving as a reminder that the stories we tell through art — be they through hair or other materials — create lasting bonds.
- When I hold a hair bundle in my hand it starts to tell me a story. That is the inspiration for every ribbon I make. And the genuine love for horses.
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