THE WEIRD & WONDERFUL WORLD OF SUSANN BROX NILSEN Glasshytta Blåst is the world’s northernmost hot shop since 2002. As the founder Silja Skoglund and I are very good friends, we often do fun projects together, like the recreation of my Tim Burton inspired “Frankenweenie” scrap doll into glass two years ago. After its success we've been urging to do it again! Whale safari is a very popular tourist attraction here in Tromsø city, so we decided to use that as an inspiration. Tromsø is where we live: a cute town in Northern Norway surrounded with mountains and aurora borealis. (Gives a Lord of the Rings’ The Shire vibe.) I work with mostly recycled fabric and materials, and I especially love to use scraps and leftovers. I had lots of denim laying around, which was prefect for a blue and fringy look! I made clay teeth for them, because all goofy whales have one tooth. Glassblowing is a close collaboration with several people, each with their own task. It all starts with a big blob of glowing liquid. The majestic furnace, which goes by the name, “Glory Hole,” keeps a temperature close to 2,250° Fahrenheit. (Yes, we actually barbecued hot dogs a couple of times for lunch.) All in all it took about 35 minutes to make one whale, before needing to stay in the “slow cooler” for the night. Still, to this day, I haven't been lucky to see a wild whale, so this will have to be the next best thing! CHECK OUT SUSI’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL CREATIONS ON INSTAGRAM: @SUSI_THEWEIRDANDWONDERFUL AND SNAG ONE-OF-A-KIND PLUSHIES AND PRINTS AT WEIRDWONDERFULSUSI.BIGCARTEL.COM FRANKENWEENIE HVALDEMAR SUSI & OWNER SILJA SKOGLUND HVALDOR HVALRIKKE No. 140
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