A native of Minnesota, Erika Tomten grew up in Northfield and
studied studio art and music at Concordia College in Moorhead.  
She has worked in a number of visual art mediums such as
printmaking, graphic design, drawing, and sculpture.  While
spending the last four years living in Seattle, Erika fell in love
with Asian culture and design and began making cards
incorporating handmade paper from Eastern countries.  
Thus, Tomten Cards was born!
Each card is individually collaged and reflects Erika’s fondness of minimal design.  Some are
hand-written with words or collected quotes.  A prominent medium of the Tomten Card is Chiyogami
(also known as Yuzen), a Japanese paper made from the fibers of the native Mulberry tree, and silk
screened with bright, vivid colors and repetitive designs.  Due to the limited availability and quantity of
these unique papers, each card is an original and duplicates of a particular card are seldom made.

Erika is a true Scandinavian at heart; even her last name means “the gnome” in Norwegian.  The
Tomten (gnome) is a small, grey-clad man with a red cap and long beard who will bring good luck to
your home.  Erika has incorporated the red, pointed cap of the Tomten in her handmade logo on the
back of each card.  

Erika lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband.  Along with making Tomten Cards she is an
active flute player and caregiver for the elderly through Home Instead Senior Care in Edina.
Photo by Sarah Bonvallet