She uses glass as her primary material because it offers an element of challenge, while glassblowing techniques provide an endless source of inspiration. Her latest work explores the themes of childhood and imagination.

“Material is very important to me, and often shapes my ideas. I get inspired by glass, with its various uses, colours and possibilities. Tradition is the base from which I work, as glass has been molded the same way for hundreds of years. For me, innovation is about finding new ways of applying techniques and being open to stray from what has been thought of as being “the only right way”. I’m learning to love the mistakes, as they often give life to new ideas.

Human connection is an important source of inspiration for me. Glass blowing is always a team effort, and the community around it is full of creative energy. Sharing ideas, enthusiasm, and know-how keeps me inspired when working with this challenging material. Working in a hot shop with various artists and designers also pushes me to develop my skills and challenge my idea of what is possible. I’ve found that anything is possible; it is only a matter of how long it will take to get there. “

Paula Pääkkönen’s Work

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