MilkGlass

Mass-produced glassware tends to be uniform and a little cold; one-off studio pieces can be too distinctive, or too precious, to use daily. MilkGlass, a Kickstarter project, positions itself between the two: tableware that, according to the campaign, is made by artisans preserving a traditional Japanese milk glass technique and designed to sit comfortably on an everyday table.

A milky finish that shifts with the light

The defining feature is the soft, opaque white of the glass. The maker says artisans adjust the material so that subtle variations in density appear, meaning no two pieces share exactly the same tone, and the milkiness appears to change depending on how light falls on it. The glass is described as diffusing light while keeping some translucency, which the campaign says lets the color of water, tea or food show through gently.

Hand-blown, piece by piece

Each item is blown by hand rather than cast in a mold, so the curve of the rim and the balance of thickness vary slightly from piece to piece. The maker frames these small irregularities as the point. Wall thickness is said to be tuned to balance ease of handling against resistance to breakage, and surfaces are polished by hand for a smooth feel.

Shapes for daily use

The forms are deliberately simple. According to the campaign, the glasses have a gently curved rim for a soft feel at the lip and suit water, coffee, tea or alcohol, while the plates have a shallow depth intended to work for Japanese and Western dishes as well as sweets. Rims are also shaped so pieces can be stacked with less risk of scratching. The maker pitches the restrained look as fitting Japanese, Scandinavian-style or minimalist interiors.

• Material formulation and thickness adjusted for everyday use, per the maker
• Described as relatively resistant to sudden temperature changes, with a strengthening treatment applied during production
• Simple surfaces meant to wash clean with a sponge and water
• Not compatible with microwaves or dishwashers; hand washing only

The maker also claims the glass develops a deeper texture over time as it is handled, and suggests the pieces as gifts.