Copenhagenglass

Hand-Blown Craft in the Heart of Old Copenhagen

Step off bustling Nyhavn into the quieter cobbles of Toldbodgade and you find Copenhagenglass, a working glassblowing studio tucked in the basement of a historic merchant’s house. Inside, the space is low and atmospheric: brick vaults, the soft roar of the furnace and racks of translucent glass catching the light from the courtyard. This is not a factory outlet but a small-scale workshop built around one artisan’s fascination with molten glass and slow, careful craftsmanship. The studio’s location is part of its charm. You are still in Indre By, Copenhagen’s old inner city, but a step away from the main canal crowds. The maritime heritage of the neighborhood seeps into the designs—subtle sea greens, smoky blues and sandy neutrals echo the harbor just beyond the doorway.

Design Language of Soft Curves and Nordic Hues

Copenhagenglass focuses on mouth-blown pieces with rounded profiles and a tactile, comfortable feel in the hand. Many of the tumblers and vases have gently thickened bases and smooth rims, designed to feel as good in daily use as they look on a shelf. Color is handled with restraint: instead of bright primaries, you see misty tones and layered transparencies, reminiscent of fog on the Øresund or weathered boat paint. Look closely and each piece is slightly different—tiny variations in thickness, swirl and bubble that reveal the human hand behind the object. You might find series of drinking glasses, carafes, candleholders and small sculptural forms, often arranged by palette so you can build a harmonious set or choose a single standout object to take home.

From Furnace to Form: Watching the Process

One of the pleasures of visiting is that the workshop is right there in the same room or just beyond a low partition. When the furnace is running, you can often see the glassblower gather molten glass on the blowpipe, roll it on the marver, add colored frit and coax it into shape with wooden blocks and steady breath. The choreography is compact and focused, with tools laid out within easy reach and the glowing kiln as a constant backdrop. The proximity to the making process helps contextualize the finished objects on the shelves. The modest size of the studio makes it easier to read each step: reheating, shaping, opening, and finally transferring the piece to the annealing oven where it will cool down slowly overnight to avoid stress fractures.

Hands-On Sessions for Small Groups

Beyond browsing, Copenhagenglass is known for intimate glassblowing experiences tailored to couples, small groups of friends or private celebrations. Sessions typically last about an hour, during which one or two participants work directly with the glassblower to create a pair of glasses, a vase or a simple decorative object. No previous experience or particular physical strength is required; the emphasis is on guided collaboration. While one person works at the bench, others can watch from close by, often with a drink in hand in the adjoining courtyard or seating area. The teaching style is calm and methodical: you choose colors, discuss shape, then follow clear instructions as the hot glass is turned, blown and shaped. Finished pieces spend the night in the annealing oven and can be collected later or shipped.

Courtyard Calm Amid the Canal District

The studio opens to a small inner courtyard that offers a welcome pocket of quiet in a busy part of the city. When the weather is kind, this outdoor space becomes an extension of the workshop, with guests sitting under open sky while they wait their turn at the furnace. The contrast between the cool northern light outside and the orange glow inside adds to the atmosphere. Because of the heat of the furnace, the interior can feel pleasantly warm even on colder days, making Copenhagenglass a comfortable stop year-round. The setting, combining old brick, handcrafted objects and the rhythm of a traditional craft, gives the place a sense of refuge within central Copenhagen’s sightseeing circuit.

Planning Your Visit

Regular opening hours focus on late mornings and early afternoons on weekdays and Saturday, when you can simply drop in to browse the collection and watch work in progress if the furnace is on. Hands-on glassblowing sessions for celebrations or teambuilding must be arranged in advance, and timings can sometimes be adjusted outside normal shop hours. The shop itself is compact, so one to two hours is usually enough to look around, speak with the glassblower about techniques and choose a piece. If you are planning to blow your own glass, factor in return time for pickup or the possibility of having your creations shipped once they have cooled.