Arts Planner: ‘Vikings’ TV show features jewelry from Batesburg-Leesville craftsman

Batesburg-Leesville craftsman Danny Hansen hardly ever watches TV, so he had no idea that his jewelry was being used in the hit drama series “Vikings” until a customer called and told him.

“I really don’t think so,” Hansen said he told the customer.

The customer swore it was.

Hansen looked into it and confirmed that his Celtic and Viking-inspired jewelry indeed was being featured on the History channel show, which is inspired by the sagas of legendary viking Ragnar Lothbrok.

Hansen recalled being approached by “Vikings” executives a year and a half ago, but said he didn’t think much of it.

“We get approached once a year or so by a movie company and it’s almost never a big deal – usually a small indie project or something that never ends up getting filmed. So I didn't take (this) seriously,” he said. “We were not expecting this at all.”

Soon fans of the show – which was recently picked up for a fifth season – were flooding Hansen’s home shop, Crafty Celts, with orders. They wanted copies of Lagertha’s barrettes or Ragnar’s bracelet.

The sterling silver bracelet with dragon heads on the ends “is king,” Hansen said. “We have sold thousands of those since the show came out.”

Hansen started making jewelry after taking a class at the University of South Carolina in 1988. His father was USC art professor and painter Harry Hansen. The younger Hansen’s first jewelry was used in historical reenactments. All of his work is history-inspired, usually in Iron Age or early medieval styles, he said.

After his jewelry had been appearing on “Vikings” fairly regularly, Hansen was invited to be an extra in the show, which is filmed in Ireland. His son Kelley, who also works at Crafty Celts, went with him.

“The filming experience was amazing. They treated us like royalty,” Hansen said. He and Kelley got to be in two scenes each and help the crew make props.

If you want to see his work for yourself, Hansen will be selling some of his pieces at the South Carolina Arts Gala at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at 701 Whaley. The arts gala is the annual celebration of the South Carolina Arts Awards. The art sale will also offer paintings, glass, pottery, sculpture, fiber arts and other original works of art by South Carolina artists, plus “arts experiences” created to showcase cultural and culinary arts.

Hansen said he is currently working on a special project for season five, but has to keep it a secret.

Tickets to the gala are $75 per person and available online at www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or by calling (803) 734-8696. You can also find Hansen’s work at craftycelts.com/index.html.

OTHER ARTS EVENTS AROUND TOWN

Route to (re)settlement

Historic Columbia, Palmetto Curatorial Exchange, and Connelly & Light present “Route to (re)settlement,” the first installment of an exhibition series examining the stories of African American communities in South Carolina. The exhibition features works by acclaimed and up-and-coming artists alike. The works illustrate how Southern black oral stories have been told through the past to present.

On display through Aug. 1 at the Mann-Simons Site, 1403 Richland St. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment. Free. historiccolumbia.org.

Great Voices from Broadway to Opera

Palmetto Opera is bringing together international and local opera singers to perform a night of popular arias and Broadway show tunes. The night will be emceed by Giorgio Lalov, the artistic director of Teatro Lirico d’Europa. Teatro Lirico musicians will perform with SC Philharmonic players. Followed by a Meet the Cast party on the rooftop of the Darla Business School (with complimentary bellinis).

7 p.m. Saturday in the W.W. Hootie Johnson Hall at the new Darla Moore School of Business, 1014 Greene St. $55. www.greatvoices.eventbrite.com

Columbia Baroque Concert: Across the Water with Columbia Baroque: “The Danube”

Join Columbia Baroque for a concert of music featuring vocal works by Monteverdi and Gluck, a concerto by Vivaldi and Pachelbel’s “Canon and Gigue in D major.” Guest soprano Serena Hill-LaRoche joins Columbia Baroque performers for this show, which will be preceded by “Concert Conversations” with Peter Hoyt.

7 p.m. Friday at the USC School of Music Recital Hall, 813 Assembly St. $15 in advance; $20 at the door; Students free with ID. columbiabaroque.com

Fabric exhibit

“Connections,” a fabric art exhibit by Janet Swigler, will hang at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St., beginning Sunday.

The opening reception is 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday. The exhibit will be up utnil June 12.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 7:46 AM.