MOODART x HAMK glass workshop

"It's truly surprising how something as fragile and raw as glass can be transformed into a piece of art filled with meaning. The three essential tools you need: fire, patience, and imagination" - Rachele 

This was the spirit behind our three-day intensive workshop between students from HAMK and Moodart. In the HAMK Glass Studio, we crafted rings, earrings, and necklaces from glass, marking the beginning of a collaborative project between these two universities. The glass workshop was a space for first interactions, sharing experiences, and being creative together. It was a fun experience where we shared ideas, learned new skills, and got to know each other.  

“Yesterday I joined a glass jewelry class - such a creative experience! I’ve always loved jewelry for the memories it holds. Now, every time I look at my self-made ring, I’ll remember the moment, the people… and how hard it was to cut glass in a straight line!”- Elisabetta 

“Creating jewelry from the glass was a really cool experience, as it is such a delicate material, and we had to decide quickly what to make, and that made the whole process very intuitive for me. I enjoyed making these small-sized pieces that will also remind me of this workshop between HAMK and Moodart” - Dorota 

After choosing the type of jewelry we wanted to make - rings, earrings, or necklaces - we selected our favorite pieces, experimenting with combinations and arrangements, and carefully assembled them into unique jewelry designs, also by cutting the glass with the appropriate tool to shape it.  

Once satisfied, we placed our creations into the kiln, entrusting the heat to fuse our chosen fragments into cohesive pieces. But the final reveal didn’t come right away: we had to wait 24 hours to see how our creations turned out. The suspense made it even more special. 

“Never having worked with glass before, I found the workshop very fun and inspiring. I especially enjoyed cutting the glass and learning how it changes in the kiln. My favourite part was not seeing the end result immediately and letting the kiln do its magic” - Ade

Fun Glass Facts:

Glass is a bit of a drama queen. 

It looks solid, but it’s actually a super chill liquid that never really settled. That’s why no piece turns out exactly as planned - and that’s the magic. 

It’s basically lava art. 

Glass melts at over 1,000°C - so yes, in this workshop we were basically volcano artists, turning heat and fragility into wearable design. 

Safety goggles: the real fashion statement. 

You haven't lived until you've worn big protective glasses and felt like a mad scientist of sparkle. 

Kilns are basically pizza ovens for art. 

Except you’re baking rings, necklaces and earrings. But no, you cannot eat your creation.