Lofoten Islands: Vikten

In the middle of Lofoten, between steep mountains, and facing the harsh windy coast, lay a village called Vikten. Where the North Sea carves its shores into beautiful sculptures, where the midnight sun colours the landscapes in warm hues – there we can find the artist couple Åse and Åsvar Tangrand.

In 1977, when he started to blow glass, Åsvar Tangrand was the first in Northern Norway to do so. The glass is produced at the Glass Hut. Here one can witness the glassblower at work. A lump of matte material is then turned into a beautiful, glossy products, with warm sparkles – it’s almost magic! The creation process is unique. Take your time, a slow walk, and admire the art pieces and the beautifully crafted artifacts. Appreciate interior, as well as exterior aesthetics. The Glass Hut offers you the possibility to relax in a lounge area, and benefit of an outstanding view towardsthe beach and the ocean.

Vikten has more to offer than artists and architectonic statements. Just a step away from the buildings, you can enjoy the unique nature, with moraines created during the ice melting, and an infinite number of sculptures in stone, shaped by sea and ice. 

Every time we visit Lofoten, we stop by Vikten! Looking back through our holiday photos I can see that we are intrigued by glassblowing :-)

Lofoten Islands: Henningsvœr

Northern Norway is quite rugged. It is amazing that people have made a foothold in the stark landscape. The Lofoten islands are magical and the combination of mountains, sea and light make them unforgettable.

Norwegians go to Lofoten on holiday when they want to experience their own country like international visitors do. Not really suitable for a quick tour - and dont expect any man-made attractions for holiday makers or mach in the way of facilities - Lofoten is for exploring coast and mountain, and discovering. Anything.

Henningsvær is a fishing village located on several small islands off the southern coast of Austvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago in Norway. Henningsvær is situated at the foot of Mount Vågakaillen, and consists of a group of isles and islets spread out at random in the blue waters of the Vestfjord.

There is a place called Engelskmannsbrygga, a modern arts and crafts centre in an old, traditional wharf. The shop is beautiful and they have got so much beautiful ceramics and glass. The ceramics artist, Cecilie Haaland, makes the most amazing pottery. 

Visiting the shop, I fell totally in love with this little vase. The girls are alway bringing me little flowers they find in the garden, and this vase is just perfect for holding their little presents!

Ever since we left, I regretted not buying the cod espresso cups! Darned! I have been thinking about them a lot! So, when I managed to get in contact with the artist online, and she was willing to send them to me - I was one happy cod cup owner!! Do you like them?

She also makes ceramic pictures, captured with a ceramic (self-made) camera. My mum absolutely adored these pictures, that the artist had developed onto ceramic tiles! The series was called Phottery, and my mum really regretted not buying one of the picture tiles. So, as a surprise, me and Lorentz bought her two picture for Christmas - and nosy as she is, we never thought we would manage to keep our secret...but we did! So, she was so surprised when we were on Skype and she unwrapped her present...a ceramic picture from Lofoten!

Amidst rain and freezing winds, we had a lovely day wandering the small streets of Henningsvœr. So much to see - for big and little....

...man parking place...whilst
waiting for us shoppers...

Tørrfesk...dried cod