When we found ourselves in need of 12 bespoke trophies for the TDF Design Awards, the first person who came to mind was Amanda Dziedzic. Our working relationship with Amanda first started way back in 2011, when she contributed a sell-out series of her distinctive glass bonsai to the first-ever TDF Open House event. Eight years later, we’ve come full circle, with Amanda crafting these sculptural keepsakes for winners of the very first TDF Design Awards – happening TONIGHT!

Referencing the distinctive colour palettes associated with each of the TDF Design Award categories, Amanda designed these one-of-a-kind masterpieces in collaboration with Lucy, and our art director, Annie Portelli.

While Amanda has been honing her craft for almost a decade, this multicoloured technique was a new challenge that took months of experimentation to perfect. ‘These pieces aren’t about form, they’re all about colour’, Amanda tells. ‘I wanted them to look sort of painterly’.

The colour comes in concentrated, solid form. First, Amanda chops a piece of colour off the solid bar, heats it, then picks it up hot. She then works each one into the glass form, dragging each colour through the next to create a distinctive layered effect. Each individual trophy took an hour to craft. 

Despite the extensive experimentation process, there’s still a high degree of chance left in the final forms. Amanda explains, ‘I had an idea of what I wanted them to be, but it’s a real surprise to get them out of the kiln the next day!’

The result is an exquisite series of delicate, yet robust bespoke glass forms that are more than just a token keepsake. These trophies are a true symbol of Australian craftsmanship and design.

We are SO proud of these spectacular creations. And if you love them too…  stay tuned! We have a TDF Collect exhibition with Amanda coming up in the not-too-distant future!

Be sure to check out the WINNERS of our TDF Design Awards, to be announced first thing tomorrow morning after our Awards ceremony tonight!  AHHHH!