Entry No. 85 — the Chicago file — filed under: hands-on
Chicago Glass Collective
Glass artist Leslie Speicher runs this by-appointment-only studio out of a converted Ravenswood storefront, teaching fusing, casting, sandblasting, stained glass, and flameworking — its most popular pick is "Friday Night Fusing," where you design and kiln-fuse your own glass plate or bowl in a single session.
The story
You won't find neon signs announcing Suite 203B on West Berteau Avenue. Tucked inside an industrial building in Ravenswood, Chicago Glass Collective is run by glass artist Leslie Speicher as a working studio for a notoriously unforgiving medium. Speicher built the space to demystify high-heat craft, offering hands-on access to techniques that usually stay locked behind specialized arts institutions—fusing, casting, sandblasting, stained glass, and flameworking.
There is no assembly-line kit crafting here. You are handed real glass-cutting tools, scoring blades, and raw materials—sheets, frits, and stringers—that require physical precision and respect. The gateway drug for most visitors is 'Friday Night Fusing,' a focused single-session workshop where you design a custom glass plate or bowl side-by-side with fellow novices before the work goes into the kilns.
What it's like
You'll head up to Suite 203B in a quiet Ravenswood commercial building, entering a room that smells faintly of glass-grinder water and kiln heat. The atmosphere is collaborative and task-oriented, with visitors wearing safety glasses while hovering over workbenches to nipper and arrange glass fragments. Because molten glass requires a long, controlled cooling period inside the kiln, keep in mind that you won't walk out with your finished piece that night—you'll need to return for pickup once it clears the firing cycle.
The move: Book a Friday Night Fusing slot together and each build a glass plate or bowl from cut and arranged glass pieces, choosing colors and patterns side by side before they go into the kiln.
- 📍 Ravenswood
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1770 W Berteau Ave, Suite 203B, Chicago, IL 60613
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Lightwriters Neon — Double down on specialized glass crafts by visiting this neighboring studio dedicated to the art of bending glass tubing and electrifying it with gas.
- Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum — Trade the heat and noise of glass-cutting tools for a quiet walk east among Victorian monuments and historic trees.
- Chicago Magic Lounge — Follow up your evening workshop with drinks and close-up sleight of hand hidden behind a laundromat storefront just north in Andersonville.
Good to know
Can I just walk in to look around or take a class?
No. Chicago Glass Collective operates strictly by appointment and through pre-booked class slots, so you must reserve your spot ahead of time online.
Do I need any previous glassworking experience for Friday Night Fusing?
Not at all. The workshop is tailored specifically for beginners, teaching basic scoring, cutting, and arrangement techniques in a single evening.
Will I get to take my glass piece home at the end of the session?
No. Fused glass must be fired in the kiln and undergo a slow cooling process (annealing) to prevent cracking, meaning your item will be ready for pickup days later.
What other skills are taught at the collective?
In addition to glass fusing, the studio offers classes and instruction in stained glass, glass casting, sandblasting, and flameworking.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp
last checked: 2026-07-19