GLASS WITH CLASS: ANDY PAIKO'S DARK AND LOVELY CREATIONS

Awe-inspiring. Those are the words that come to mind when first encountering the glass designs of Northwest artist Andy Paiko.  The towering absinthe fountain is just one example his visionary craftwork.

Working without assistants, Paiko is largely self taught.  His works are extremely intricate, with detailing reminiscent of an antiquated style- bell jars containing obscure or extravagant artefacts, or sculpted glass interpretations of obsolete technologies.

Among Paiko's extravagant works are a fully functional hand-blown glass seismograph based on a design by Leonardo da Vinci, an actual size, fully operable spinning wheel, and an operable Pumpjack.

      His work has been featured in high profile layouts in House & Garden and Smithsonian Magazine and his pieces are on display in Portland City Hall and The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Check out the mind-blowing glass spinning wheel in action here!