Trick glasses are designed to surprise, confuse, or amuse the drinker. Originating in the 16th to 18th centuries, these whimsical objects sparked laughter and connection. Now their playful spirit returns to the hotshop.
In this course, glassmakers will explore the history and techniques of traditional trick glasses and develop their own contemporary interpretations. Working individually and in teams, they’ll invent and create functional or conceptual pieces that challenge perception and invite social interaction. The course encourages shared experimentation, storytelling, and material curiosity.
Nuutajärvi is the heart of handcrafted glass in Finland and the country’s oldest glass village. Its 230-year tradition of continuous glassmaking has shaped many of the classics and legends of Finnish glass design, while international glassmakers have drawn inspiration from the village’s distinctive history, creative exchange, and surrounding nature. Designers such as Kaj Franck and Oiva Toikka, along with international figures like Dale Chihuly, have been part of this living legacy.