2. Activities
3. Craftsmanship
4. Glassware
5. Atraverre

Buy Online - Atraverre

14 products available on our partner site BrindeCorse.fr

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  Turquoise Waves Necklace
  40,00 € Epuisé
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  Flat glass plate (sold individually)
  28,00 €
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  Glass dessert plate (sold individually)
  24,00 €
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  Yellow Spoon Rest
  15,00 €
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  Cyann Necklace – 3 pieces
  50,00 €
• Atraverre

  14 products
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Atraverre is the studio of Virginie Torrelli, a glass artisan based in the citadel of Calvi in Balagne. There, she creates handmade glass jewelry, decorative objects, and functional pieces, using techniques such as fusing and thermoforming.

Atraverre, artisanal glass workshop in Calvi

Virginie Torrelli has been working with glass since 2010, when she founded her studio, Atraverre. A graduate of the Regional Institute of Visual Arts in Martinique with a National Diploma in Art and Techniques, she initially pursued graphic design before discovering the art of glassmaking under a master glassmaker in Paris. She has since been developing her craft asa glass artist in Calvi, where the pieces featured in her shop are created.

The shop-studio in the Calvi citadel

The Atraverre shop is located about 30 meters from the main entrance to the Calvi Citadel, which has a parking lot, near the Calvi children's playground, in the heart of the upper town. There, Virginie Torrelli displays her glass jewelry, decorative objects, and functional pieces. The shop is shared with other artisans, including Bijoux By Bulles.

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Since hours may vary by season, it's best to check them before visiting.

Handcrafted Glass Jewelry in Calvi

Atraverre creates glass jewelry in Calvi featuring bright, shimmering colors:

• Adjustable glass rings
• Glass necklaces and pendants
• Earrings
• Glass bracelets and brooches

The jewelry is made from pieces of glass that are assembled and then fused in a bell-type kiln at temperatures exceeding 800°C. Depending on the design, Virginie Torrelli combines different shades of glass and may also useliquid gold or metallic effects.

Some pieces featurethe Eye of Saint Lucy, either incorporated into the glass or combined with designs created using techniques such as penwork and gold leaf. The pieces can also be customized upon request, with a choice of colors and designs, or by adding an engraved message on the back of the glass.

Jewelry sets, necklaces, pendants, and earrings

Atraverre crafts glass into jewelry sets, necklaces, pendants, and earrings, with designs ranging from small geometric pieces to more imposing pendants.

The designs feature shades of turquoise, blue, green, amber, red, or orange, sometimes with iridescent effects created by dichroic glass. Some sets include a matching necklace and earrings, while others combine glass, metal elements, and motifs inspired by the marine world, such as fish.

Glass rings and bracelets for adults and children

The collection also includes handcrafted glass rings and bracelets. The rings come in square, rounded, or more free-form shapes, featuring colored, transparent, or dichroic glass set in metal.

The bracelets come in a variety of styles, ranging from understated pieces with a central glass element to wider designs combining cords and glass elements. Atraverre also offers a collection for children, featuring small rings and bracelets in bright colors and playful designs.

Glass Decor and Tableware

Atraverre's work isn't limited to jewelry. Virginie Torrelli also creates decorative and functional glass objects for the home: mirrors, light fixtures, sculptures, candleholders, serving dishes, plates, vases, and small decorative items.

Mirrors, Lamps, and Clocks

Interior designs include, in particular , mirrors with fused-glass frames, lamps, wall sconces, candleholders, and clocks. The mirrors are framed by large pieces of colored glass in shades of blue, red, or more subtle hues.

For her lighting fixtures, Virginie Torrelli creates the designs directly within the glass: marine motifs and fish in shades of blue, shapes evoking flames in shades of red and orange, or circular compositions made up of multiple fused glass elements. The candleholders also make use of glass shaping, such as these pieces with raised edges created through thermoforming.

Plates, serving dishes, and trivets

Atraverre produces a variety of tableware items: cake plates, rectangular serving dishes, plates, appetizer trays, coasters, and trivets made of fused glass.

The creations take on a variety of shapes and uses, featuring compositions of colored glass that can form spirals, botanical motifs, or evoke coral. Some pieces are thermoformed to create rims, compartments, or add texture to the object. Virginie Torrelli also repurposes flattened glass bottles—particularly Pietra bottles—to transform them into trays and serving pieces.

Art and Decor

Other creations include glass sculptures and decorative animals, such as fish, roosters, cats, owls, and cows, as well as magnets, quotes framed in glass, mobiles, wind chimes, photo frames, and trinket trays. Some pieces are mounted on driftwood or combine glass with metal.

Virginie Torrelli specializes in combining glass, wood, and metal. Some wire-based objects incorporate steel wire directly into the glass to provide a function or structure, as in the case of the photo frames. She also collaborates with cabinetmakers on certain creations that combine glass with driftwood.

Flattened glass bottles are no longer available for shipping due to transportation constraints, but remain available for purchase in person at the Atraverre boutique in Calvi.

Fusing and thermoforming: glasswork at Atraverre

Virginie Torrelli is a glass artist who specializes in fusing. She primarily uses the fusing technique, which involves assembling several pieces or layers of glass before heating them to a high temperature so that they fuse together to form a single piece. Thermoforming is then used to shape the glass while it is hot, typically using molds tailored to the object being created.

Step-by-Step Creations

The creation of a piece involves several steps: selecting and cutting the glass, arranging the elements, firing, fusing, and then shaping it according to the desired result. Some creations require multiple firings before finishing and assembly with any supports or metal components.

Glass and Materials Used

Depending on the piece, Virginie works with different types of glass and combines them with other materials or decorative elements. In particular , she uses lead-free powdered enamels, liquid gold, steel, aluminum, and Kanthal. These materials allow her to achieve different effects, designs, or combinations depending on whether the piece is a piece of jewelry, a light fixture, a decorative object, or a tableware item.

Verre à vitres

Le verre à vitre comme son nom l'indique est utilisé pour les vitres, fenêtres, fenêtres à carreaux. On l'appelle aussi verre flotté, ou "float glass" en anglais.

Verre bouteille

Ce verre réalisé à partir de bouteilles de recyclage revêt un caractère écologique. Il offre également une grand panel de couleurs en fonction des bouteilles utilisées.

Verre artistique

C'est un verre spécialisé pour la technique du fusing, on le trouve également sous l'appellation de verre américain.

Verre dichroïque

Ce verre est spécialement lumineux, utile pour la réalisation de certains objets de décoration comme les lampes.

Order Atraverre creations

Atraverre creations can be purchased directly at the boutique in the Calvi Citadel or ordered online. You can choose from existing pieces or request specific customizations in shape, color, or pattern, subject to feasibility.

Items intended for shipment are protected for transport. We accept payment by credit card, check, and bank transfer. However, certain fragile or unique pieces, such as flattened glass bottles, are available only in-store.

Virginie Torrelli and the History of Atraverre

Atraverre was founded in Calvi in 2010. After several years in the city, Virginie Torrelli opened her store in Pigna in 2017, while keeping her creative workshop in Calvi, where her bell-shaped kilns are located. A new store opened in the citadel of Calvi in 2020, before the business was finally relocated entirely to Calvi in 2023.

History

• 2010: Opened on Rue Sainte-Marie in Calvi
• 2017: The store moved to Pigna
• 2020: Opened a new store at the Calvi Citadel in addition to the one in Pigna
• 2023: Closed the Pigna store, retaining only the one at the Calvi Citadel

Balagne Crafts and Creations

Virginie Torrelli also collaborates with other artisans in Balagne, particularly on certain creations that combine glass with other materials. She has also served as president of the Balagne artisans' association, A Strada di l'Artigiani, and is currently its vice president.

Her expertise is also sought after for special commissions. Notably, she designed the trophy for the 2023 Calvi Ladies Open in collaboration with Eaux de Zilia, as well as a trophy she previously created for the Calvi Yacht Club.

Workshops for children ages 9 and up

Atraverre offers introductory glassworking workshops for children ages 9 and up. Participants create their own pieces by assembling different pieces of glass and motifs. Virginie then collects the creations to fire them in her studio before returning the finished pieces to the children.

Address and Contacts : Atraverre