Solstice Stained Glass

09/18/2026

We are seeking steel restorationists as collaborative partners on religious & residential stained glass window projects.

Projects range from a single pairs of casement windows to large church installations.

If you know any outfit who does this, please contact us!

05/21/2024

04/17/2024

Well! I can easily say this is among the most dramatic of Before and After photos of any stained glass window that we’ve done so far! (OK,  maybe the board up is cheating a little. But the photos sure are dramatic!)

08/23/2023

Thank you to the staff at Helen Plum Library in Lombard for a great project! Now everyone, go read a book!!

03/21/2023

Solstice is Hiring.

If you know a “scaffold-ready” (comfortable on it, and with their own safety gear) artisan who knows how to expertly wield their glazing knife, please send them my way. Designing skills a strong plus.

Serious inquiries only; we are based in Chicago.

12/24/2022

And…. Here’s how cold it is in Chicago…!!

I just sent a long email to the client, describing how interior high humidity with a single layer of glass - whether stained or regular glass - will always see condensation on the glass, which then freezes when it is -10° outside (or even only “below freezing”)! It will all melt, and should absolutely be sopped up immediately at the window sill, lest the wood be at risk of moisture damage.

Of course, the photos showing the ice were taken at night. No, the ice is not so thick that it blocks the daylight!

Yes, we are in a discussion with the client to have interior, removable storm windows made for these windows. They will allow venting, and should absolutely be taken off when not needed - both of which will extend the life of covered stained glass windows. The interior solution will maintain the exterior lovely sculptural effect of the stained leaded glass windows.

11/13/2022

And this is how it’s done! Well, not quite so large anymore, and mainly for the art glass rather than clear window glass.

Before modern glass the wavy glass in your windows was “cylinder” glass like in this 1918 picture.

The glass was blown out thru machines into these cylinders and then the cylinders would be laid down on a table, scored on one side and heated again so they would slowly lay down flat into a sheet of glass that could be cut into the pieces we have in our historic windows.

For me, knowing the story behind the things that surround us every day makes those things that much more interesting.

10/28/2022

OK, maybe it's not Solstice...or even Equinox, but come party with us anyway!

06/17/2022

Yes, we love the big fancy windows - but just as much we love the simple tiny windows!!

We restored this window recently for Maura, who said, "The window looks great. I was at a loss for how to get this repaired but I'm glad we found a way to keep the leaded glass - even though it's a small window! Thank you for making the process so simple for me."

Thanks Maura, for allowing us to share your words and for your appreciation of the "small window" 💕

04/09/2022

It was a good day in a most-fitting venue to be set up at Oak Park’s Vintage Home Show!