Best Hand-Blown Glass Decorations In Chicago

When it comes to finding a unique gift for someone artistic, or merely looking for the perfect accent piece for the hall table, hand-blown glass may be the answer. The problem is where to look. Lovely hand-blown glass ornaments could have been found everywhere in the Chicago area during the holiday season, from garden shops to craft stores. Art shows are another source, but when the SOFA (Sculpture Objects Functional Art) and One of A Kind indoor shows are over in late fall, the next batch of good art shows typically doesn't happen until summer. So, if you're looking for good, hand-blown glass items for the home or as gifts the rest of the year, then check out glass studios, art galleries, home furnishings and accessories stores and museums.

Lotton Gallery Glass And Fine Art
Bloomingdale Building
900 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664-6203
www.LottonGallery.com

To see and choose hand-blown glass items by artists whose work is in the Smithsonian and in the Art Institute of Chicago's paperweight collection, stop at the Lotton Gallery on the sixth floor of Bloomingdale's vertical shopping mall. The gallery specializes in hand-blown glass art because its owners, the Lottons, are a three-generation family of glass blowers headed by Charles "Grandpa" Lotton. Along with their works, the gallery carries hand-blown glass by 17 other artists. You may even have seen their work at art shows. The Lottons often participate in the SOFA (Sculpture Objects Functional Art) and Modernism shows as exhibitors and demonstrators.

Ignite Glass Studio
401 N. Armour St.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 465-2389
www.igniteglass.com

You don't have to take a glass-blowing class at Ignite to appreciate the artistry of items available in the studio's shop. The problem when shopping here is deciding which gorgeous bowl, vase or sculptural piece to get in the studio's Signature Collection. You will likely have a similar problem limiting purchases in the seasonal collection to merely one beautiful flower or delightful pumpkin shape. When there, you will learn that Ignite is a fascinating facility that does more than hold glass classes and sell retail items. The studio also houses a gallery that rotates exhibits of glass artists that the studio works with in the community and beyond to inspire youth in artistic endeavors.

Sawbridge Studios
1015 Tower Court
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 441-2441
www.sawbridge.com

Tucked away east of Green Bay Road, on a tiny street off Tower Road, you can find Sawbridge Studios if persistent. It's a treasure house of handmade furniture and accessories, including hand-blown glass objects. Expect to find a large selection of hand-blown glass objects from Vermont's Simon Pearce, ranging from bowls and vases to hearts and bubble trees. Also look for colorful, contemporary decorative pieces from Gathered Glass, an Ohio glass-blowing cooperative.

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Everlasting Fire Studio
5036 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 728-2071
www.everlastingfirestudio.com

Shop here for wonderful pendants, beads, jewelry, paperweights and art objects made by Everlasting co-founders John Landin and Elektra Musich. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, the studio holds a variety of glass-working classes. But when looking for reasonably priced, hand-blown glass decorations for yourself or as gifts, Everlasting would be a great place to start.

Art Institute Of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
www.artinstituteshop.org

Sometimes folks forget that museums have shops that often carry handmade artistic pieces. The Art Institute of Chicago houses both a main shop, located just inside the Michigan Avenue entrance, as well as the museum store, found inside the Monroe Drive entrance to the Modern Wing. Both stores have really excellent art glass pieces, many of which are hand blown. You won't have to pay museum admission to go into either shop. To get an idea of what you can find check the online shop link. You will see that prices are reasonable and that the museum carries a broad selection of custom pieces.

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Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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