This die is about a well-known Norse myth which tells of how Vanir Freyr fell in love with the giantess Gerdr, wooed her, and eventually convinced her to marry him. She was not any easy catch - many attempts and various tactics were needed to gain the proud giantess’ hand.
The myth -
The two giants Gymir and his wife Aurboda had a daughter named Gerdr, she was the most beautiful of all the women.
One day the God Freyr had sneaked into Odin’s house where he could look out over all the nine realms, here he sat in the seat called Hlidskjalf. When Freyr sat there, he looked out of the window and to the north, where he saw a magnificent house on a hill with a woman next to it. She was just about to enter the house, when she lifted up her arms, to unlock the door, the light reflected off her arms, and the whole world lit up.
When Freyr walked away from Odin’s house, he was filled with sorrow, and when he got home he stopped eating, drinking, and sleeping, and he even stopped speaking to others. His father Njord was worried about his son Freyr, so he sent word for Freyr’s servant Skirnir, and asked him to go have a word with him. Skirnir asked Freyr why he was so angry that he would not speak to anyone.
Freyr replied, that he had seen a woman so beautiful, that if he could not have her, he would not want to live. And now that you are here my servant, I want you to go and ask for her hand on my behalf. Bring her back here to my home in Asgard, no matter if her father agrees or not. I will pay you generously if you manage to do this.
Skirnir replied; Do not worry, Freyr, I will do this for you. But I do not want your riches, I want your sword.
Freyr’s sword was a very powerful sword, and the sword could fight by itself.
Freyr did not think twice about it and handed Skirnir his magical sword.
Because Freyr had given his sword to his servant, he was left without a weapon when he faced the giants in the years to come.
Skirnir now traveled to the house of Gerdr in Jotunheim with the marriage proposal from Freyr, Skirnir had also brought some apples of youth with him, which she could have if she accepted the marriage proposal, but when Gerdr heard about the proposal she got furious, and she immediately rejected the offer.
Skirnir then offered to give her, the ring named Draupnir, which is a very special and magical golden ring, every ninth day eight new rings would drop out of Draupnir. The eight new rings are of equal quality as Draupnir.
Gerdr was not impressed and also rejected that offer, Skirnir then switched tactics and tried to threaten her, at first she did not care about the threats, because she had no intention of marrying Freyr.
Skirnir then started to threaten to put curses on her, by using the secrets of the runes. That freighted Gerdr into agreeing to marry Freyr, but she did have one demand that Freyr had to wait nine days before they would be married. The nine days was Gerdr’s way to torture the feelings of Freyr.
When Freyr heard that he had to wait nine days, he said;
Long is one night, long is another, how will I suffer even three, often for me a month, much less seemed, than half this holding time.
Die details:
This die measures 3" X 3" and features pendants with an optional hanging loop and pairs of earrings also with optional hanging loops.
There are two different size components on this die.
The largest component is a pendant and is 1-1/64" wide and 1-11/32" tall include the hanging loop.
The smaller component can be used to make pendants or a pair of earrings. It is 1-13/64" tall include the hanging loop and 29/32" wide.
Use the bottom loop to hang a bead or stone.
This Rolling Mill Component Die is a mild tool steel die that can be used in a rolling mill that can accommodate 3" wide by 1/8” thick material plus your metal and craft foam. The designs can be used for making earrings, pendants, and other smaller sized components.
These Rolling Mill Component Dies are for rolling mill use only. We tested them with a hydraulic press and we were able to get impressions. However, we also found that after the first couple of pressings the plates became dented. This happened because the type of tool steel necessary for use in a rolling mill is softer than the type of steel used in a hydraulic press.
Freyr and Gerdr Earrings and Pendant Rolling Mill Component Die
Usage
Metal Maven Rolling Mill Component Die Use Guidelines
These Rolling Mill Component Dies are for rolling mill use only. We tested them with a hydraulic press and we were able to get impressions. However, we also found that after the first couple of pressings the plates became dented. This happened because the type of tool steel necessary for use in a rolling mill is softer than the type of steel for using in a hydraulic press.
Your die will arrive lightly oiled with a lubricant called CorrosionX. It can be found at most auto supply stores. We highly recommend you use it or some kind of machine oil to protect your investment, especially if you live in a humid climate. We use it to keep rust from forming on our steel pieces, dies, rolling mill rollers and other tools. It also helps your silver or copper release from the die.
When you first set you rolling mill rollers, take your die and place a piece of dead soft copper on top of it. We have found that 20-gauge and 18-gauge copper works best. Then, place a piece of craft foam on top of your metal. Place them into the opened rollers of your mill and gently close your rollers until they touch the top of your die, metal, and foam sandwich. Try rolling your die at that setting first to see if you get an impression. If you do not get a good impression, adjust your rollers tighter and test again. Rolling too tightly could damage your die or cause your die to form a drastic curve, so be careful to tighten in small increments.
You can find the craft foam on Amazon - search for Darice 2mm Foamie Roll, 36-inch by 60-inch, black.
Return and Refund Policy
Please check the sizes carefully when ordering, as we do not accept returns or exchanges.
Please note that we check the quality of each die carefully before we send them out.
Shipping Info
We offer shipping via USPS. Your shipping options will appear in your shopping cart. Shipping Insurance is included on all orders.
