Petra House
LIFE – small leaf, lasting traces
A story of vitality, love and collaboration between Petrahuset and Lofoten Jewelry.
A hundred years ago, Petra wandered among fragrant flowers and wind-worn stones in her garden - a small piece of land where weather, sea and love met. Amidst the herbs, vegetables and wildflowers, the wild rose grew, hardy and so infinitely beautiful at the same time. It stood there through the changing seasons, weather-beaten and bent in the storm, but never broken. For Petra, the wild rose became a silent symbol of vitality - of that which endures, even when times change.
When Jacqueline today shapes, casts and creates the LIV jewelry, she draws inspiration from this story. Each piece of jewelry bears the imprint of a real rose petal – unique as life itself. Where no two petals are alike, and so each piece of jewelry also has its own distinctive character, its very own story.
“LIFE – small leaf, lasting traces”
A symbol of what grows, lives and leaves a mark - in nature, in people, in our memories.
Let's embrace everything we forgot and left behind
Life goes by fast. So fast that we often forget to breathe – to feel, to be. Because perhaps the goal is not to arrive, but to find peace in the journey itself. To dare to be along the way.
The story behind – Petra House and the letters that never stopped breathing
In 2021, Petra House was saved from the flames – at the last minute. The abandoned mansion, with its 34 rooms, silently carried layers of time: a servants' wing, a doctor's room, a priest's loft, a post office and a telegraph station. A very small community – hidden, but not lost.
Under the floorboards and behind faded wallpaper, a national cultural treasure was found: Hundred-year-old handwritten letters between the poor girl Petra and the manor boy in the house. Letters written because their love was forbidden. When she was ostracized from the village, the letters became their only lifeline. A hope in ink and paper.
From letters to performing arts - Wingspannet
For the past three years, guests have been allowed to wander through Petra House – through rooms full of history, and completely unfiltered. They walk there with their hearts beating in time with the floorboards, and finally say, with tears in their eyes: “Just let me stay.”
This was the start of Vingespennet – an artistic journey that carries the soul of the letters forward. Through words, tones and presence, the story is elevated to a performance of forbidden love, heartfelt longing and rock-solid hope. Here, music, poetry and storytelling meet – a journey through time, but also into ourselves.
After 25 years in aviation, Svanhild Hogner has now turned her attention to cultural heritage, where she brings both hidden and more obvious stories to the surface. Now as a songwriter, author and curator, through her communication she highlights a precious past. And shows how people's experiences over several hundred years still mirror our own.
Axel Frønes is an artist, writer, composer and performer. Known from The Voice, four bestselling books and a visual expression where words, tones and art find each other in a unique calm and strength. When Axel joined the project, he embraced it fully and completely – and together they put lyrics and melodies on all life holds.
For in the meeting between past and present, between longing and presence, we find:
Courage for change. Power for action.
The artist behind
Jacqueline Steinkraus
“When I first visited Petra House, I was captivated by the silence and details of the garden – old stones, the scent of herbs and the wild rose that still grows there. It reminded me of everything I want to convey through my jewelry: strength, beauty and the traces left by time.
“LIFE was created as a meeting of two stories – Svanhild’s love for the place and my fascination with nature’s imprint. Every rose petal I use carries a small memory from Lofoten, shaped in silver, preserved forever.”
My name is Jacqueline – I am a silversmith and jewelry designer with a small workshop in Laupstad in Lofoten. In an old, converted barn you will find both my gallery and workshop in the same place – here I create unique jewelry inspired by the sea, sand, stone and light.
My workshop is more than just a workplace – it is a space for peace, inspiration and true craftsmanship. In a warm and personal atmosphere, I design jewelry that tells stories and reflects the nature of the north.
All jewelry is designed and made by me – with great care and attention to detail. Every piece is handmade, which makes each piece completely unique. Small variations in shape and expression make each piece special. The colors, structures and atmosphere of the nature around me are my greatest source of inspiration.
I am a member of Norwegian Made.
Approved responsibility mark from the Norwegian Patent Office.
About the collaboration
This project was created through a close collaboration between Svanhild Hogner at Petrahuset and silversmith Jacqueline Steinkraus. Together we wanted to preserve the story of Petra and her garden, in words, pictures and silver.
