About Thomas Critchlow Art Glass

Handmade Art Glass from Central Indiana

Welcome to Thomas Critchlow Art Glass. I’m Ailsa, the maker behind the studio, where I design and create handmade stained and fused glass pieces in my Central Indiana home studio.

I started Thomas Critchlow Art Glass after retiring from nursing, looking for a creative pursuit that would let me work with my hands and make something of my own. What began as a hobby has grown into a small, independent art-glass business selling at shows and online.

I am a self-taught stained glass artist. I learned through hands-on practice, study, experimentation, and plenty of trial and error, developing my skills one piece at a time.

I create art glass for people who appreciate handmade objects, traditional craftsmanship, and pieces with a story. Every piece is made individually, rather than mass-produced, so small variations are part of what makes handmade glass unique.

Why Thomas Critchlow Art Glass?

The name has a few personal connections.

Thomas is my grandfather's name. Critchlow is the name of the family the historic house I grew up in was built for—and that same house is now my home and studio. Art Glass comes from my initials, A.G.

So the name is a little bit of my family, a little bit of my home, and a little bit of me.

Traditional Craftsmanship

Each piece is designed and made by hand in my studio. Depending on the piece, I use traditional lead came or Tiffany copper-foil techniques to join individual pieces of glass into finished artwork.

I’m drawn to the character of traditional stained glass and to design influences from Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, and vintage stained glass. I enjoy creating pieces that feel at home in both historic and contemporary spaces.

Because each piece is made by hand, no two pieces are perfectly identical. Variations in the glass, solder, came, and finishing are part of the handmade process.

Quality Glass from Trusted North American Manufacturers

The glass itself is an important part of every piece. I choose individual sheets for their color, texture, translucency, and character, and I work primarily with glass from established North American manufacturers.

I source glass from:

Kokomo Opalescent Glass in Indiana, the nation's oldest art glass manufacturer
Paul Wissmach Glass Co. in West Virginia
Youghiogheny Opalescent Glass Co. in Pennsylvania
Oceanside Glass in Tijuana, Mexico, manufactured by a California-owned company

Kokomo Opalescent Glass, Wissmach, and Youghiogheny are known for their long histories of producing hand-poured art glass in the United States. Oceanside Glass is also widely used by glass artists for its range of colors and textures.

I choose materials based on the qualities they bring to a particular design, and I’m proud to work with glass made by companies with deep roots in the art-glass tradition.

Thoughtful Materials & Sustainability

Whenever possible, I choose other materials, including solder, flux, and came, that are American-made. I also try to source materials directly from manufacturers or small businesses.

To reduce shipping waste, I purchase materials in bulk when practical and personally pick up supplies whenever possible.

I reuse and recycle materials throughout the studio when I can, while recognizing that making and shipping physical products will always have an environmental footprint. My goal is to make thoughtful choices where they have the greatest practical impact.

A Woman-Owned Small Business

Thomas Critchlow Art Glass is a woman-owned, independently operated small business.

When you purchase from TCAG, you are supporting an individual artist and maker—not a large production operation. Your purchase helps keep traditional craft alive while allowing me to continue designing and making new work in my studio.

Carefully Packed by Hand

Every order is packed by me with the same care I give the artwork itself.

Each piece is wrapped in new acid-free tissue and cushioned with materials such as honeycomb paper, crinkle shred, compostable packing peanuts, or recycled bubble wrap, depending on what best protects the piece.

Orders are shipped in sturdy boxes selected to help your artwork arrive safely.

Made to Be Enjoyed

I believe handmade art has a place in everyday life.

A stained glass suncatcher can catch the morning light in a kitchen window. A small panel can become part of a collection. An ornament can come out year after year and become part of a family's traditions.

Whether you're choosing something for yourself or looking for a meaningful gift, I hope you find a piece that makes you happy every time you see it.