Finnish Design Blog

In July, Finnishgifts, introduced you to Finnish designer, Anu Penttinen, and her new collection of Iittala glass birds (Birds by Penttinen). I thought that I would revisit the designer and urge you to check out some of her other designs. She’s recently released various unique lines that include vases, dishes and lighting pieces. Anu Penttinen is indeed a shinning up and coming designer. Stay tuned for more.

Congratulations to Sirpa T. (Berkeley, CA) and Judy T. (Cloquet, MN) who each won a
glass bird by Iittala in a drawing held at the FinnStyle booth at FinnFest. There were over 700 entries in the drawing for chance to win either a Common Redpoll glass bird by Oiva Toikka or a Cotton Candy glass bird by Anu Penttinen. The Common Redpoll was Toikka’s official bird for FinnFest 2008. The Anu Penttinen collection was released this year by Iittala.

Iittala’s Nuutajärvi glassworks family continues to grow. Alongside world-renowned designer Oiva Toikka and Georgio Vigna, the Nuutajärvi glass factory has added the young and exuberant creations of Anu Penttinen.

The starting points of the work of glass designer Anu Penttinen (born in 1974) are graphical clarity and bold colors. She is fascinated by the urban environment from which she distils her own strong style. Penttinen’s endearing glass birds have been inspired in particular by wax animation and the nature of the tropics. Penttinen’s new bird collection contains six birds. While resembling the confident stance of penguins, their colors are tropical. Their vertical format emphasizes their beaks and eyes, features that make the collection very much its own. The amusing names Penttinen has given her birds highlight their different personalities. Which do you prefer? Ippie the Hippie, Cool Joe, or Cotton Candy? Or what about Night Bird or Snowball? Or I’m All Bananas? The names say it all. Check out these fun birds for yourself!