Copenhagenglass

Handmade glass in a historic Nyhavn townhouse

Step off busy Nyhavn and down into the vaulted basement at Toldbodgade 4, and you enter the compact world of Copenhagenglass. Housed in a characterful 18th‑century Copenhagen townhouse, the workshop and gallery share one open space, so shelves of finished glass stand only a few metres from the glowing furnace. The low ceilings, old brick and thick timber beams give the studio an intimate, almost secret feel, a contrast to the wide harbor just outside. The heart of the place is glaspuster and designer Christian Edwards, who has been working with glass here since the late 1990s. What began as a small craft shop evolved into a full glassblowing studio in 1999, later re‑named Copenhagenglass to reflect its growing international clientele. Today his name is on every piece, from delicate champagne flutes to sturdy everyday tumblers.

Design language shaped by sea, light and movement

The aesthetic at Copenhagenglass is distinctly Scandinavian: soft, rounded forms, clean silhouettes and colours that rarely shout. Many pieces are made in clear glass that catches and bends light; others use muted tones reminiscent of seaweed greens, harbor blues and the washed‑out pastels of Copenhagen’s waterfront houses. You can trace gentle undulations and ripples along the surface, echoes of waves and ship wakes in the nearby canal. Rather than ornate patterning, the focus is on proportion and the tactile feel in your hand. Drinking glasses flare slightly at the rim, vases curve like small waves, and even one‑off sculptural works keep a sense of calm restraint. This is glass design made to be used daily, yet with enough individuality that no two pieces are truly identical.

A working studio where fire does the talking

Copenhagenglass is first and foremost a functioning workshop. When the furnace is running, you can often watch molten blobs gather at the end of a blowpipe, then lengthen, spin and swell into form. The rhythmic whoosh of the furnace, the tap of tools on metal rails and the soft rotation of glowing glass create a kind of choreography in the small space. Seeing the process at close range helps explain why each item on the shelves carries subtle variations. Tiny differences in thickness, the way colour pools at the base of a glass, or a slight asymmetry in a curve are not flaws but the signature of handcraft. For many visitors, understanding this makes choosing a piece feel more like meeting a character than buying an object.

From quick browse to immersive workshop

You can simply drop in during the limited opening hours to browse the gallery shelves, which hold water glasses, wine and champagne flutes, gin and tonic bowls, vases and smaller gift pieces. Stock changes as new firings come out of the annealing oven, so there is always an element of discovery. Staff are usually happy to explain how a particular form is made or to help you compare colours for a set. Those with more time can arrange a short glassblowing course or private session, where you step directly into the role of maker under close guidance. In small groups, it is possible to help create your own glasses or decorative objects that are cooled overnight and collected or shipped later. These bookable experiences are especially popular for celebrations, though they also suit curious individuals who want a deeper connection to the craft.

Courtyard atmosphere and a sense of occasion

Behind the townhouse there is a small, sheltered courtyard that sometimes forms part of arranged events. On quieter days it lends a gentle, away‑from‑the‑city feel, with the clink of glass from inside mingling with muted harbor sounds. Indoors, simple seating allows companions to watch while one or two people work near the furnace. The overall mood is relaxed and unhurried. Even a short visit can feel like a pause from the surrounding city, a moment spent in the glow of fire and glass. Whether you leave with a single tumbler wrapped for travel or plans for a future workshop, Copenhagenglass offers a compact but memorable window into Copenhagen’s contemporary craft scene.

Planning your visit to this hidden basement studio

Copenhagenglass keeps relatively short public opening hours, typically centred on the late morning and early afternoon, with some days reserved for pre‑booked groups and courses. The studio space itself is small, so visiting outside the busiest weekend windows makes for a calmer experience and more time to talk with the glassblower. Because many pieces here are hand‑made in small batches, certain colours or shapes can sell out between firings. If you have a particular idea in mind, it can be worth allowing a little flexibility or considering a custom order discussed directly with the studio. In all cases, expect to handle real craft objects rather than mass‑produced souvenirs, and to carry home something with a clear sense of place.