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I have been interested in building and restoring of violins for a while. At the moment I'm unemployed and uneducated, but have a desire to get education. I just don't know what kind yet. I'm interested in learning more about violins, how they are made, history and sort on. I thinking more about restoring then making. I looked up in the big interweb, and couldn't see a single school offering that kind of class/education in Norway. Is there some in europe? What do I have to think about before I start? Do I have to get education? Do I need a license?
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
Your best bet would be to talk with a luthier near you. Go to a music shop and find out who does their work for them the try to set up an appointment with that person. You never know they may teach you or better yet pay you and teach you at the same time.
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That may be a option. I know there is some luthiers nearby, so maybe some of them can do that. But as I know, they have hands full, so I don't think they are willing to do so.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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Once you find a luthier that will allow you to touch their "things" in the shop, you will most likely find yourself serving an intership for a time, doing things like string changes, bridge setups, perhaps a peg installation or repair if you're handy and learn quick. At first you will probably not be allowed to touch or do but only watch and learn.
After about 6 months and some careful coaching, you may find yourself doing bridges by yourself and after about a year of true devotion you might be let participate in an opening of an instrument.
I speak of these generally and the shop you attend may have different ideas. I work part time and I'm quite handy and skilled with my hands and I'm almost to the level of apprenticship after 6 months. I do bridges from scratch, string changes, peg jobs, accessory installations and cleaning. Next year I will be allowed to watch close and perhaps "pop" my first violin under the careful eye of a master luthier of 25+ years in the business. It's a slow process and you may need a second job to afford to live.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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Is it possible to learn some of your own? Get a hold of a damaged fiddle and try to work on it alone. Ask some luthiers for advises under way.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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I know that in Sweden they have organizations for violin makers which they probably do in Norway as well. The members within these organization can let you know about possibilities to work as an apprentice. It helps to have some woodwork experience. If you begin with some kind of woodwork class you would have an advantage.
Here are the Swedish organizations:
http://www.svsf.se/
http://www.svit.se/
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Did you check out those links, Gry? One of the members of SVIT, Christer Skog, actually works in Trondheim! I read on his web page that he repairs many misused and well-worn instruments. Go talk to him! 
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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Almandin said
Did you check out those links, Gry? One of the members of SVIT, Christer Skog, actually works in Trondheim! I read on his web page that he repairs many misused and well-worn instruments. Go talk to him!
I Didn't know Christer was a member of SVIT. I Actually were thinking about talking to him. If not he is interested, I know of some more luthier thats works in Trondheim.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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That is a good idea but don't be discouraged if they are not interested. You can also take a wood working course somewhere, and get books from the library on building violins. Kind of get a head start on your own.
Also, you can visit the local music stores as well. The ones that sell stringed instruments could actually have a guy that is knowledgeable enough to do repairs and such.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I've written a E-mail, ready to post it, but I'm too nervous to do so. In that state I looked up on some classes for videregående (I think its like high school, not sure.) And it looks like they got woodcraft (furniture, piano and woodwork.) as a option, but the problem is I'm too old to go there. Do I make a fool of myself if I ask without having that sort of experience?
It's so irritating that I'm either too old or too young to do stuff. I dislike that crack. Library, here I come.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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it feels kinda like trying to learn the violin at 57 yrs old! 
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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The worse thing that can happen is that they say no. No is what you have already. GO FOR IT!!!!
You have nothing to loose.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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