Straw mobile

A straw mobile is a mobile made from reeds, straw or other similar material bound together with string, often forming geometric shapes such as octahedrons, and can be decorated further with craft supplies such as wood, yarn, or feathers. Such mobiles have been traditional in Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, and Russia where they may serve as symbolic or religious decorations. Modern variations can be made from materials like brass or plastic.

Name

Different cultures have different names for straw mobiles.[1] For example, in some Germanic cultures they are often known as himmeli (heavens), while in Slavic cultures they are known as pajak (spider).

Culture Name of straw mobile Notes Photo
Belarus Саламяны павук, Павук
Poland pająk, kierec Pająki are often colorfully decorated[2] and the minimal form can use straw-only.
Ukraine Різдвяний павук
Lithuania sodas,[3] liktorius, voras, žarondelis, šiaudinukai Sodai translates to 'Gardens' in English, it can be translated as 'Chandeliers' as well.[4]
Russia Паук
Finland Himmeli, olkihimmeli While himmelis are no longer standard in Finnish homes, some people have taken on the tradition and revitalized it.[5]
Estonia jõulukroon, näärikroon, äll
Latvia puzuris, lukturis, krīģis, spurgulis
Germany Himmeli
Norway halmkrone, julekrone, julekrune
Swedish Himmeli Himmeli' (from Swedish: himmel – "heaven" and "sky") The himmeli base shape consists of 12 fragments, which symbolize the 12 months.[6] They are used as decorations from Christmas until Midsummer. Modern himmeli are also made of plywood, paper and even plastic straws.[7] Their purpose is to ensure a good harvest in the following year, and it functions as a home for the crop spirit.[8] It hangs from the ceiling over the dinner table.[5][9] The larger the himmeli the larger the rye crop.[9]

Shape
Plastic straw mobile

Straw mobiles are geometric structures, with the main diamond pattern thought to be reminiscent of the shape of the fields that farmers used.[8] The patterns vary from simple to extremely complex, from a diamond to an octahedron.[7] Regardless of the pattern, straw mobiless are symmetrical from their hanging points. Different patterns are created by the straw mobile as it rotates.[5]

Modern practice
Modern brass straw mobiles and corresponding tools and parts from a do-it-yourself kit

In addition to increased popularity in their traditional form, straw mobiles have also experienced modern twists within the craft and décor community. Alternative materials such as straws and metal tubes have become common.[10][11][12] Straw mobiles made out of metal tubes are sold as year-round décor as opposed to solely a Christmastime fixture.[9][13][14] Sometimes they keep the same form as a mobile, but some retailers sell Straw mobiles designed to hold air plants or potted plants.[9][13][14] Straw mobiles have even made it into high-end design. Designer Paul Loebach used himmelis as inspiration for a line of pendant lights and his designs have also been recreated by other companies.[15][16] Another way that Straw mobiles have gained popularity is as a simple craft. While Straw mobiles can be extremely intricate and complex, smaller versions are relatively easy to make, resulting in many websites creating how-to articles and suggesting it as a kid’s craft.[10][11][12][17][18] Some websites give a list of materials, while other retailers sell prefabricated kits with all the necessary supplies.

Process

The process of creating a straw mobile begins with the harvest. The best straw of the rye harvest[19] is cut into sections about 6.5 feet long and laid out to dry. The rye changes from green to a golden brown and the process takes several weeks. Once dried, the rye is cut at the joints and separated into groups based on the thickness of the stalk. At this point the construction itself can begin. The straw is cut into sections of the desired length and thread is threaded through the hollow stems to join them together. The thread should be hidden within the straw and near invisible when viewing the Straw mobiles.[5]

References
  1. Colston, Penelope (2021-11-19). "In Finland, Turning Straw Into Magic". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  2. Solomon, Saskia (2022-09-28). "A Vanishing Craft Reappears". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  3. "Sodai straw garden making in Lithuania - intangible heritage - Culture Sector - UNESCO". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  4. "Straw Art – Šiaudinukai | Lithuanian Folk Art Institute". Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  5. Jackson, Joelle (12 July 2021). "Heavenly Harmony: The Universal Language of Finnish Himmeli". Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  6. "Himmeli". Brigita Ektermane's signs of power. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. "The original Finnish Christmas ornament". thisisFINLAND. Finland Promotion Board. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  8. Erickson, Mary (8 April 2021). Himmeli: A Finnish Immigrant Tradition. Nordic Center Administration. Retrieved 28 June 2021 – via YouTube.
  9. "Himmeli". HEMLEVA. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  10. Basinger, Rachel (2014-06-06). "How to make a himmeli sculpture". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  11. Bly, Brittany (2019-03-12). "10 DIY Himmeli Tutorials that Perfectly Pair with Plants". Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  12. "Crafts for Kids—Himmeli". Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  13. Oak, Solid. "Himmeli". Solid Oak. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  14. "DIY Himmeli Kit, Copper". Irma's Finland House. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  15. "DIY Himmeli Kit, Copper". Irma's Finland House. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  16. "Himmeli Cage Pendant Light White by Roll & Hill". Replica Lights. 2023-04-23. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  17. "Make Your Own Himmeli". nordicnorthwest. 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  18. Mandi (2013-12-03). "How To Make A Basic Geometric Himmeli Ornament". Vintage Revivals. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  19. Mäki, Daniel. “The Finnish American Reporter; Hancock.” ProQuest, 1 Apr. 2021, Accessed 10 Apr. 2022.
  • Watson Jepsen, Brittany. “Himmeli: Geometric Home Decor.” The House That Lars Built, The House That Lars Built, 15 Dec. 2016, https://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/2016/12/himmeli-geometric-home-decor.html/.
  • The Straw Shop. “Eija Koski”. The Straw Shop. The Straw Shop, https://thestrawshop.com/eija-koski/

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