The Vikings were skilled craftsmen. They used materials traded with other peoples in their crafts, including silver, jet (a hard, black stone), amber and glass, along with local wood. Leatherworkers, carpenters, blacksmiths and other craftspeople made everything needed for daily life. They carved wood for their ships, shields and toys, and fashioned metal for swords, tools, armour and jewellery. Their crafts were long-lasting, but also beautiful, with elaborate decoration.

The Vikings loved jewellery and wore ornate pendants, bracelets and pins made from precious metals, especially silver. Both men and women wore brooches to fasten their clothes at the shoulder. Wearing jewellery crafted from precious metals was a sign of wealth. The less well-off wore pieces made of cheaper bronze or pewter, a mixture of silver and other metals. Necklaces of glass beads were also popular.