Finnish Design Blog

2010 commemorates 50 years of collaboration between artist Oiva Toikka and Iittala. In addition to the standard 2010 collection birds that Toikka designed and Iittala released at the beginning of the year, this partnership has released several more glass birds throughout the summer. What do you think of them?

Pictured:
1. Iittala Toikka Gray Jay (2010 Finn Fest Bird)
2. Iittala Toikka Lilac Ibis
3. Iittala Toikka Kingfisher

It’s almost time for Finn Grand Fest 2010; and as he does every year, Oiva Toikka has created another glass masterpiece to honor this year’s event that is being held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, on July 28th through August 1st. The Iittala Toikka Gray Jay is this year’s Finn Grand Fest bird. Only 500 of these limited edition Iittala glass birds were produced so be sure to hurry and get yours now before they’re gone forever.

Iittala has designed a unique tool that associates words with colors. You pick 8 of 31 words that best describe you and the results show what Iittala colors would best associate with your personality and values. The results may surprise you. Give it a try at Iittala.com.

The Museum of Glass (located in Tacoma, WA) and iittala, Inc. are teaming up for a weekend dedicated to birds and bird enthusiasts. This three-day event will feature the debut of the newest limited-edition Birds by Toikka design, master iittala glassblower Arto Lahtinen, along with a lineup of bird-related activities throughout the weekend. For more information and the full schedule, visit the Museum of Glass’ Blog.

Enjoy FREE ground shipping on all Iittala orders of $100.00* or more at FinnishGifts.com. Hurry and take advantage of this great offer as it only lasts through August  20, 2009.

Popular Finnish designer Harri Koskinen has created a new collection for Iittala. It is the first in the new Art Works concept range which will be launched in September. For more pictures and information about the new Art Works collection, see the Dezeen blog; for more information about Harri Koskinen, see his designer profile at FinnishDesign.com.

2009 iittala Arabia Flora & Fauna Plates

In 2000, iittala Arabia started a collectors’ series of art plates named Flora & Fauna. These two art plates depict the animals and plants that appear in Finnish fables or folklore. For 2009, iittala Arabia presents us with the Wolf and the Mushroom. This pair of art plates is based on the fable titled, “The wolf carries the fox on his back.”

New Limited Edition iittala Toikka Summer Finch Glass Bird

Oiva Toikka has graced us with color as iittala has released his latest creation, the Summer Finch glass bird. It’s a limited edition bird with a production run of this summer only. It’s by far the most colorful of the 2009 iittala Toikka birds as Oiva has incorporated iittala’s recent passion for the apple green hue (see Apple Green Aalto Vases post). The Summer Finch’s translucent apple green body with tiny air bubbles trapped inside, adds some visual texture to the bird as it refracts light. Another unique piece about this bird is its colorful tail. The rose-olive tail will appear a rose color in natural light and olive green under artificial/fluorescent light. Simply put, the Summer Finch is visually stunning.

It’s almost time for FinnFest 2009, and as he does every year, Oiva Toikka has created another masterpiece to honor this year’s event. The Alaska Loon is this year’s FinnFest bird. Only 500 of these limited edition Iittala glass birds were produced so be sure to hurry and get yours now before they’re gone forever.

Iittala Teema dinnerware is now dressed to attend black tie events as Iittala has released several dishes in a black color option. The modern design of the Teema porcelain dinnerware collection continues to make it one of Iittala’s most popular dinnerware product lines. The Teema square vegetable dish, rectangular serving platter, rectangular dish and serving bowl are now available in this classy black color.