If you take a ball of energy, add in passion, kindness, a sense of humor and more talent than can be contained in the ball, you have Maria Cristina Andretto. To describe this Italian glass artist as a force to reckon with is to undersell her. There seems to be no limit to the creativity which runs fast and furious through her veins. Her vast range of products, creations and ideas need to be taken in small doses for us mere mortals.
The first time we visited her workshop our heads were spinning. Everywhere we looked there was something more beautiful than the last thing we had seen. Cristina’s energy is contagious and before one is aware of it you are thinking of all of the possibilities her talent can create. I believe it is impossible to visit their workshop without being energized in a way you have never felt before.
There are no limits for Cristina, in fact the bigger the challenge the more excited and creative she becomes. It is beautiful to pass time with her and to stand in her energy, passion and talent.
For Maria Cristina Andretto, the encounter with Murano glass was true love at first sight. Pursuing her passion for this incredible material, she trained in Murano in the 1980’s. It is during these years she became a glass artist. Five years later she began her entrepreneurial and artistic activity.
Her innate inclination for experimentation led her to found the company D.I. Più srl Andretto Design in 1999. Cristina formed her own company because she wanted the freedom to be able to explore new murano glass processing techniques. These techniques are the essence and soul of each of her creations, which have always been synonymous with refinement and good taste.
Maria Cristina Andretto considers her creations as her “children” and just like a mother she is proud of all of them. As she shows you the things she has created over the years it is as though she is showing you her family, introducing you to parts of herself. She truly loves her work and approaches it with the dedication of the musician, the passion of the artist, with the intuition of the architect, and the depth of a poet. She is always ready to welcome any request, approaching each project with the awareness and respect of someone who started from scratch with her own strength, passion and determination.
We asked Cristina some questions to help us and you get to know her better, including some personal questions and recommendations. At the end of the post you will find links to some of our and her favorite products as well as a link to see some of the interior projects she has completed (including something for Armani…)
1) Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration in nature, in its shapes and colors, in the materiality of fabrics. I try to translate emotions and atmospheres into every detail, creating something that conveys life and authenticity.
2) What is your favorite thing to do with glass?
“My favorite Murano glass creations are the dandelions and the upside down
of the dandelions. I love the delicacy of the glass strands applied one by one and the stems shining with gold or platinum.
Of the upside down I am fascinated by the interplay of space and three-dimensionality , where shiny and satin surfaces meet, creating a contrast that gives absolute modernity to the composition.”
3) If you had to choose one Italian region that you would recommend people to visit, what would it be?
“I would recommend Veneto, because Venice is a unique city in the world, capable of enchanting anyone with its timeless beauty. Between canals, art, and history, it is a place that leaves an indelible imprint in the hearts of those who visit it. And moreover, it is where my passion, Murano glass, was born ”
4) What is your favorite Italian food?
“I love so many dishes, I am a real foodie! My strawberry risotto is now legendary, but my real passion remains tagliatelle with meat sauce: a classic that I never tire of.”
(Check out this meat sauce recipe to make your very sauce from the region where Cristina lives and works)
5) Why do you love working with glass so much?
“I love working with glass because it is a material that lends itself to endless transformations, resulting in creations that are not only beautiful, but also functional. I am fascinated by the possibility of shaping something so versatile and precious."
6) If you could do one thing you have never done, what would it be?
"If I could make something new, I would love to learn the art of glassblowing. It would be fascinating to master this ancient technique and transform glass into unique shapes through blowing and heat."
7) What do you like to do when you are not working?
"When I am not working, I love to devote myself to relaxation, walking surrounded by nature and being inspired by its beauty. These are precious moments that regenerate me and enrich my creativity."
You can find a sampling of Maria Cristina Andretto's design projects on our Interior Design Inspiration page.
When writing this post I found it almost impossible to choose some of my favorite pieces because I love all of Cristina's work. So I chose one piece from each category, then I will leave it up to you to explore and tell us which ones are your favorites.
3. Golden Ombre Murano Glass Vase
4. Satin Amber Murano Glass Bowl
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