Karl's craftsmanship in sheds attracts attention

Handicraft that attracts attention

The reindeer in Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Village have attracted a great deal of attention. Demand is high, and it is being considered whether they will be sold in the Christmas Village next year. The reindeer are designed and built by men in sheds here in Hafnarfjörður.

„Yes, it's under consideration and then it will probably be smaller than the ones there,“ says Hallgrímur Guðmundsson, co-chairman and a member of the house committee of Karlar í skúrum; the society which has its roots and model in Australia but was first established, with the help of the Red Cross – first here in Hafnarfjörður in 2018.

Yes, they're cool, the reindeer from the shed.

„The Red Cross supported us at the beginning but now we're independent and not dependent on anyone,“ says Hallgrímur. „The idea is to get men off the sofa, away from the television, as it's well known that women find it easier to get together, they're in sewing circles, whereas we men are more one-dimensional. This is therefore a way to boost men's social lives and connections,“ he says. „The main thing is to get together and meet up.“

The society has grown. It now has around 80 members, who pay 2,500 krónur a month to belong to the society. It is open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

„Anyone who wants one can get a key to the shed and come whenever they like. We're here every weekday,“ says Hallgrímur, adding that a little over twenty people come each day. Friendships have been formed in the shed.

„Anyone aged eighteen and over is an eligible member, but they are mainly pensioners. It has happened that people have come for a while, perhaps due to ill health, but then returned to the workforce.“

Hallgrímur says some people only come to the café to chat, while others are completely absorbed in their work. „There's a lot of woodturning, carving and that sort of thing here. Then there's silversmithing, and we hold courses in carving, turning and leatherwork. We do all sorts of things, yes, we do what people ask for and what people are interested in.“

Mayor Valdimar Víðisson paid a visit to the shed this morning. Hallgrímur says the visit was very good. He had met the mayor a few days ago when he heard that the planing bench in Lækjarskjóli was to be renewed.

„I told him we were interested in the old ones. He went straight to it and then said we could have them all. We are very pleased with that.“

Yes, this is how we influence one another in our society.