Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Gilbert.
Sharon came to glass the way most great love affairs begun, by accident. In 1986, she was finishing up her B.F.A. at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. It was during her last semester that she took an elective course in glass blowing. The rest, as they say, is history. From the moment she touched hot glass, she fell under its spell. She has spent the last 25 years creating custom architectural glass work and teaching glassblowing. Her work can be seen in restaurants, churches, businesses and homes across America.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making a living creating art is never an easy path, but finding a great studio building in River West was a great beginning. Since equipment is expensive, I learned how to weld and build my own equipment, making working in a variety of techniques possible at an earlier point in the studio’s development.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Talisman Glass Studio – what should we know?
I’ve spent the last 25 years creating custom architectural glass work. My work combines strong colors and textures by taking historical processes and adding in a modern twist.
We create amazing lighting for homes and restaurants, walls of glass for churches, entry sculptures for businesses, and decorative embellishments for homes across America. By paying attention, both to the smallest detail and to the big picture of overall effects that good design makes, our glass makes a statement and touches the people who come in contact with it.
We also give the public opportunities to experience working with the magic of glass (it’s more engaging than anything you can imagine) by offering private workshops for 2 or more people in our “Experience Glass” classes.
And lastly, we do prototyping for market research for Fortune 500 companies, meaning that our products end up in millions of homes…
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hard work, attention to detail, and a smile for everyone that comes through the door!
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE INVITATION:
On Saturday 12/2/17, Talisman Glass will be open to the public for their annual open house showcasing glassblowing demonstrations all day, and offering hand blown ornaments, gifts, and jewelry for sale. Feel free to come experience the wonders of glass for yourselves and for the bold guest, make your own ornament!!
Pricing:
- Everything we create is custom, so pricing varies greatly, from $65 ornaments to great sums.
Contact Info:
- Address: 469 N Racine Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60618 - Website: www.talismanglass.com
- Phone: 312.455.9555
- Email: meltme@talismanglass.com
- Facebook: @TalismanGlassStudio
- Yelp: yelp.to/qTKq/Tq9QnLCK1G
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
