Experience GLASS!![]() Make Your Own Paperweight - Get together with a few of your friends and come to the studio to create your own paperweight. No experience necessary! We will guide you safely through the steps of making your own colorful beautiful piece! Must schedule session in advance. $60/person. Two person minimum, 10 person max per half day. Pieces will be picked up at a later date after cooling down overnight. VALENTINES HEARTS!! ![]() Get together with a few of your friends and come to the studio to create your own egg shaped paperweight. No experience necessary!
EASTER EGGS!!- Get together with a few of your
friends and come to the studio to create your own paperweight. No
experience necessary! |
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FUSED
TILES |
FRIT CAST
TILES!! - Get together with a few of your friends
and come to the studio to create your own dimensional relief
tile. No experience necessary! |
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Fusing/Casting Classes Blowing Classes Testimonials Registration Package Directions to the Studio |
![]() You're never too young or old to start exploring the joys of blowing or fusing glass! |
Glass Blowing Classes

Intensive Introductory Glassblowing Workshop
Registration is currently being accepted for the following dates:
A one week-end introduction to the world of hot glass. This workshop serves as an excellent introduction to the wondrous world of hot glass for both the curious glass enthusiast and the new glass student embarking on a serious course of glass working study. Class size for the Weekend Workshop is limited to four (4) students to ensure one-on-one teacher-student interaction throughout the workshop.
This week-end will familiarize you with the wonders of a hot glass studio. Participants will experience:
introduction to the equipment
safety in the hot shop
teamwork
handson basic skills; gathering hot glass, blowing, marvering, jacking,
demonstrations of relevant techniques
Students will complete several pieces each day
4 people per class, 9:30-4:30 for two days, with 1 hour lunch break
Classes taught by Sharon Gilbert - No prerequisite
Beginning Glass (Form)
Classes will be scheduled following introductory classes according to each group of students availability - Taught by Sharon Gilbert
Four weeks of structured education and experimentation for the beginning student.
Students must have taken an introductory workshop or similar introduction before this class. Each week students will learn a new technique, and practice its application building on techniques from the previous sessions.
Participants will experience:
- blowing controlled vessel forms
- optic mold blowing
- demonstrations/discussions/safety/teamwork
Intermediate Glassblowing ( Manipulations )
Classes will be scheduled following introductory classes according to each group of students availability - Taught by Sharon Gilbert
| Sharon & Julie-
I just wanted to drop you a short note, thanking you for sharing your glassblowing skills, knowledge and experience with me during my classes at Talisman. It was as a truly enjoyable experience.
I now look forward to devloping my own skills and style in glassblowing. See you soon!
Warmest Regards,
Michael J. Lango Bob and I both thought you were a great teacher. It's one thing to be talented. It's another thing to have a business head on you. It's rare to find someone who wants to teach . . . and even rarer to find someone good at it. It seems that you possess all of the above. We thought you did a great job of explaining WHAT you were going to do. You demonstrated it. You walked us through it (as a group) and then you instructed each of us "on the fly". All the while you were ENCOURAGING in spite of the fact that some of us forgot to keep the blow pipe turning and managed to set the mat on fire! Greg Neaveill |
Attire: Students must wear all natural fabrics and closed toe leather shoes. Layers of clothing are a good idea. Your arms will get warm, so a long sleeve shirt over a t-shirt is a good combination. Alternatively, bring a cotton sock with the toe cutoff for arm protection. The floors are concrete so a shoe with a good rubber sole will give you good support and minimize leg fatigue. Individuals with long hair need to bring something to tie their hair back.
Eyewear: We provide eye protection, but if you have prescription eyewear or prefer your own glasses, please feel free to bring in ordinary sunglasses. Nutrition: The studio is very warm. Please bring beverages to drink (Gatorade or similar sports drink in the warmer months). We supply water, but you can store other items in our refrigerator. We will take a one- hour lunch break at one of the neighborhood restaurants. Prices usually range around $10 per person. Hygiene: The glassblowing studio is an extremely warm environment and you will be working hard. Please arrive at class freshly bathed and use antiperspirant/deodorant. Hours: Please arrive promptly at 9:30 AM on all glassblowing class days, and at 9:00 AM all other classes. Location: We are located in Chicago, just ten minutes from the Loop. Email Sharon for instructions on how to find the studio Conduct: All students must be in good medical health and sign a liability waiver covering injuries occurring from being in a glass studio. The instructor reserves the right to ask participants to leave at any time during the class if their conduct puts other people or the equipment in danger, or their actions are inappropriate.Any questions, please use contact information at the end of this page to clarify beforehand to prevent misunderstandings.
From downtown Chicago: Take Grand Avenue West to the 1200 block of West Grand. We are located on the SE corner of the intersection of Racine and Grand. CTA bus line Route 66 goes directly in front of the building. CTA Blue line brings you within a 1/2 mile from the studio. Metra trains (Ogilvy and Union Stations) are a short cab ride away.
From the North: Exit Racine Ramp (after Division Street). Cross Ogden, and continue one block further to Grand Avenue. We are located on the SE corner of the intersection of Racine and Grand
From the West: Take I-290 E to the Ashland exit. Turn L onto Ashland, and a slight right onto Ogden at the 3rd light. Continue on Ogden to Grand Avenue. Turn R on Grand Avenue, take your first R onto Racine Avenue and park immediately. We are located on the SE corner of the intersection of Racine and Grand
From the South: The I90/94 to the Ohio Street exit. At the end of the (very long) ramp, turn Right onto Orleans. Go one block down and turn R onto Grand Avenue. Take Grand about a mile W, crossing back over the highway, until you stop at a stop sign on May street. Turn L at the next street - Racine - and park immediately. We are located on the SE corner of the intersection of Racine and Grand
All students must be in good medical health and sign a release of liability for injury.
If classes do not fill up, hours will be shortened or date will be rescheduled.
For more information please call Sharon Gilbert at 312.455.9555.
All classes will be taught at the new location, Talisman Glass Studio, Chicago.
| Mascots |
![]() Havoc |
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T A L I S M A N G L A S S I N C
Contact Sharon Gilbert by email for more information or to commission a project.
Located in Chicago's near West side/River West neighborhood, just off I-90/94, the studio is located on the SE corner of Grand Ave. and Racine (between Halsted and Ogden)
Email: meltme@talismanglass.com