Watch iittala Master Glassblowers Create Oiva Toikka Birds
Two Weekends for Birds and Birders at The Museum of Glass, USA
Iittala master glassblowers from Finland, who specialize in producing the glass birds created by revered Finnish designer Oiva Toikka, will be at work in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop for the third year in a row. From October 13 – 15, visitors will be able to watch the skilled gaffers use the specific glassblowing techniques and the original color palette developed by Toikka.
Birds by Toikka represents thousands of individual birds and a variety of species that have been designed for Iittala since 1973. These hand-crafted, mouth-blown glass birds are collected worldwide. Toikka has previously designed the Washington state bird, American Goldfinch and the Pacific Water Fowl specifically in honor of the Museum of Glass; both birds are limited editions. This year, the limited edition bird of 1500 pieces is the Spotted Towhee, the symbol of the local Tahoma Audubon Society and a beloved backyard bird of the Northwest. The first 250 Spotted Towhees will be available at the Museum Store beginning October 13.
The Museum is partnering with Iittala, the Tahoma Audubon Society and the Point Defiance Zoo to offer two weekends of bird-related events and educational programming for adults and children.
