Meet Sheri Law of Sheri Law Art Glass in Homer Glen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheri Law.

Sheri, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For as long as I can remember I loved Art…. and then Glass captured by Spirit. Simply put, I absolutely love it and that started it all!

In 1980, I was a divorced single mother of two children doing my best to support them as a waitress, When I realized that I had no help in the responsibilities of raising my sons, I decided that the only way I could survive was to open a business so my boys could be at work with me. This was the turning point of my career. I invested all I had financially into my studio and opened in a small 1,000 sq. ft. space for $200.00 a month. I kept my waitress job for a while so I could pay the rent at the studio until the business could afford it.

My passions for art and glass drove me to work hard, continue my education, and expand the capabilities of my studio. My goal was always to live and work in the same place so that my life as a parent would be easier. In 1987, I was granted the first 503 SBA construction loan given to a woman in Will County. And the dream was becoming a reality.

Today my company encompasses a 10,000 sq. ft. building in Homer Glen. including a showroom, production areas and my residence, which shows art glass in a home setting. My staff and I work as a team, collaborating on projects to come up with the best ideas for our clients. Each of us has our expertise and we design, fabricate and install commissioned works of art.

I am fortunate to have found a career which is my passion and allows me to use my God-given talents.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When the business was first opened it was Sherick Art Studio, a combination of names – my brother Rick and mine, Sheri. We soon found out that banks won’t loan money to an artist. With that being said, the name was changed to Sherick Studio just in order to get a loan. When I was divorced in 2001, the name was my last hurdle, and finally I decided to give it up and changed the company name to “Sheri Law Art Glass,”

I had not realized that renting commercial property there are no limits to increasing rent. One day my landlord raised the rent from $800.00 a month to over $3,000. The vacant property had already been purchased on a 3 year balloon thinking that the move was years away. But when the rent more than tripled, the move to the new building was sooner than later.

Even with a 10,000 sq. ft. building and a 20′ sign in front, people still wonder what we do – our new website at a glance at our work will help them to understand our wide-range of capabilities.

A common misconception is how art glass is installed in a window. Most people think they have to replace their window. We can install a decorative art glass piece right on top of a client’s existing insulated unit if it is an exterior window. It is called “retrofitting” and is held in place with points and caulk to match the trim. A plus is that if they ever move it can easily be taken to the new home!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Sheri Law Art Glass specializes in all facets of Custom Art Glass for residential, commercial and liturgical clients.

It’s not just about the glass, but it’s the intangible aspects of our work as it transcends the art to evoke your senses. A beveled window is enhanced with natural light and you’ll have prisms dancing across the wall. A backlit fused panel will add ambiance to the room as you dim the light. We’ve also brought art into the kitchen with fused and backpainted glass – with a kaleidoscope of colors we can match any decor. I find the wonder of glass is endless in how it can transform a space with color, light, textures and reflections…

The studio features full-size vignettes with a multitude of decoration styles and techniques, a library of design books and photos for inspiration. Our work is fabricated here, so often you’ll have an opportunity to see the artists working, and above the studio is a home showroom filled with ideas for kitchens and baths in glass. You can even take a walk on a glass floor that overlooks the showroom.

Our repertoire includes all types of glass and mirror including Beveled, Stained, Carved & Fused Glass.

Residential projects include entryways, transoms, interior and cabinet doors, windows in any room of the home, theater doors, bar mirrors, backsplashes, skylights, wall and fireplace art. Commercial applications include signs, donor walls & memorial art, sculptures, chapels, class gifts, and decorative glass for hospitality locations.

What sets us apart is the team that can imagine the possibilities and make it a reality. We work closely with our clients to reflect their personal style, and create glass for many years of enjoyment. Let the magic begin….

What were you like growing up?
For as long as I can remember I always loved art, animals, and trying new things. Even in grammar school I was focused on art and designed my logo in eighth grade. I followed the same path in high school and took art classes all 4 years, and I worked at the school to pay my tuition. All thru high school I chose to be in charge of organizing and cleaning the art class rooms.

While I was married and had children, I went to college and took a few classes. Then once I started the business there were more challenges that I wanted to tackle, so I studied interior design at Harrington Institute in Chicago. I worked at the business during the day and went to school at night.

To this day, I still love to draw, and enjoy the challenge of starting with a blank piece of paper and designing a masterpiece! And yes, I still draw by hand.

Contact Info:

• Address: Sheri Law Art Glass
  12551 W. 159th Street
  Homer Glen, IL 60491
• Website: www.sherilaw.com
• Phone: (708) 301-2800
• Email: sheri@sherilaw.com
• Facebook: Sheri Law Art Glass

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