Chicago-made · Original glass commissions
Custom glass awards. Handmade in Chicago.
Illinois-shaped glass · Custom acrylic base
Commission original glass awards that reflect the people, purpose and occasion behind them.
For clients nationwide. International inquiries welcome.
One meaningful piece or a coordinated series.
Made in ChicagoBy a working glass studio
Original by designShaped around your commission
One piece or a seriesEvery inquiry considered individually
Selected work
Recognition with
a point of view.
Form, color, texture and inscription each carry part of the story. Explore a selection of glass work and the details that give each piece its character.
The Chicago studio
From molten glass
to a personal mark.
The featured awards are sculpted by hand from hot glass, then personalized for the design. Their engraving and bases are custom made for each piece.
The aim is a piece that expresses the significance of the recognition, with decisions about materials and fabrication guided by the design.
Sculpted in hot glass
Hand sculpting gives the glass its form. Color, silhouette and finish become part of an award made for the occasion.
A personal mark
Names, emblems and lettering are applied with sandblasting or laser-based techniques, selected to suit the material and design.
Materials in conversation
The base is part of the work: handcrafted wood, laser-engraved acrylic and a CNC-cut pocket are among the approaches shown in these awards. Materials are considered for each design.
Corporate recognitionLeadership & milestonesDonor appreciationCommemorative commissions
Beginning a commission
Start with the meaning.
Then explore the form.
You do not need a finished design to begin. Tell us who or what you are recognizing, the quantity you have in mind and the date that matters.
01
Share the occasion
Send a brief, a reference or a starting idea. An estimated quantity, timeframe and budget help frame the conversation.
02
Explore the possibilities
Discuss the form, materials and personalization, along with what is feasible for your project.
03
Define your commission
Confirm the design, scope, pricing and schedule with the studio before fabrication begins.
04
Make and coordinate
The studio makes the agreed work, with collection or delivery arrangements confirmed for the project.
When design development is needed
After an initial email discussion, projects that need additional creative development require a $500 nonrefundable design fee for 1–3 design options. The fee is credited to the final invoice. Sending an inquiry does not collect payment.
A closer look
The details do
the talking.
Material, silhouette and personalization are best understood together. These project details connect the finished forms with the techniques used to make them.
Arts Alliance / Vic Mensa
Movement, color and a personal mark.
A double-neck glass form in blue, green and yellow carries Vic Mensa’s name for Arts Alliance. The glass was sculpted by hand while hot, with custom lettering made for the design.
Illinois / glass & acrylic
A familiar outline. A purpose-made base.
An Illinois-shaped glass award sits in a clear acrylic base. The acrylic was laser engraved, with a CNC-carved pocket for the glass. The pictured inscription is a sample personalization example.
French Laundry pin / glass & wood
Handmade, from glass to base.
The pin-shaped glass form was sculpted by hand while hot. Its wooden base was entirely handcrafted, and the engraving and base were custom made for this design.
Planning your award
A few things
worth knowing.
Every commission has its own practical considerations. Your inquiry is the place to begin working through them.
Can I commission just one award?
Yes. Ignite accepts inquiries for single awards as well as series. The studio will review the design and schedule for your project.
Do I need a finished design?
You can begin with the occasion, a reference image or an idea. Share what you want the award to express and any details that are already decided.
How is a custom project priced?
Projects are priced individually. If your brief needs additional creative development, the studio will confirm a $500 nonrefundable design fee after the initial email discussion to develop 1–3 design options. The fee is credited to the final invoice. It is not an automatic charge for every inquiry.
Can you include our logo or a recipient’s name?
Discuss names, dates, logos and other design elements with the studio. The appropriate method depends on the glass, the design and the detail required.
How much time should we allow?
Tell us when the finished awards are needed and whether the date is fixed. The studio can discuss a project-specific production schedule and whether a rush request is feasible.
Can we inquire from outside Chicago?
Yes. Ignite welcomes clients nationwide and is open to international inquiries. Include your destination so delivery requirements can be discussed for your project.
Your commission begins here
Tell us what
this award means.
Share the occasion and what you have in mind. A clear starting point is helpful; a finished design is not required. Expect a reply within three business days.
Chicago-made glass awards.
For recognition that matters to you.
Please share only information relevant to this inquiry. Avoid confidential or sensitive material until the studio confirms an appropriate way to receive it.
