Fortune Blocks was Penna Tornberg’s first project using glass as his principal material. This ring was sand cast using two layers of glass, with chips of bronze captured between the layers. After casting, it was cut and polished into its final form. By using glass’ property of deflecting light, multiple facets and surfaces make all the details inside the ring visible to the viewer.
Length 3.5 cm
Width 1.5 cm
Height 4.2 cm
© All rights reserved
© Aleksi Tikkala
© All rights reserved
© All rights reserved
Penna Tornberg
- Glassblower
- Helsinki, Finland
- Rising Star
© All rights reserved
A fresh take on an old craft
- • Penna feels tradition is a springboard to create something new
- • He is inspired by architecture and the urban environment
- • His first works made of glass were rings
Penna Tornberg’s background in materials and techniques is versatile, but lies mainly in jewellery. He graduated from a vocational school as a jewellery artisan and continued his studies at Lahti University of Applied Science, Institute of Design. Gradually, he became interested in working on a bigger scale, and an encounter with glass answered his call. He had worked briefly with glass in the past, but a glassblowing course opened up a new path. The challenges of the material, its unpredictability and uncertainty are a source of continuous fascination, as is his need to understand the roots of glassmaking. “Tools, methods and materials are old, so the struggle is to do something innovative and fresh,” Penna says. “To achieve that you have to handle the tradition.”
Read the full interviewWorks
Photo: © Aleksi Tikkala
Fortune Blocks glass ring
Photo: © Ninni Vidgren
Piko glass vase
Piko is a variation of the Spanish word pico meaning peak. With just one mould, it is possible to manufacture various models depending on the chosen cutting point. The shape of the bottom is a perfect sphere. It is easy and comfortable to handle and harmonious to look at.
Length 10 cm
Width 10 cm
Height 17 cm
Photo: © Ninni Vidgren
Piko glass
Piko is a variation of the Spanish word pico meaning peak. With just one mould, it is possible to manufacture various models depending on the chosen cutting point. The shape of the bottom is a perfect sphere. It is easy and comfortable to handle and harmonious to look at.
Length 10 cm
Width 10 cm
Height 5.7 cm
Photo: © Toivo Molin
Sulava glass
Sulava results from an experiment into a new kind of glassblowing mould. The mould is made from laser cut metal parts, assembled together like a 3D puzzle. The mould uses glass’ ability to deflect and bend light as an integral part of the design. The soft, bubble-like surface evokes melting ice. In Finnish, 'sulava' means melting or melt.
Length 8 cm
Width 8 cm
Height 8.5 cm
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