About Us
Classes, Tools, and Supplies
Classic Stained Glass is a full service stained glass store. We carry all of the tools, glass and supplies for the stained glass crafter. We have nearly 500 pattern books in stock and carry an excellent selection of glass. Classes are available for all levels of experience from beginner to advanced and everything in between. A full description of classes is available.
Professional Customer Service
We pride ourselves on giving a lot of individual attention to our students and customers. If you are ever working on a project and need help give us a call. If we cannot solve the problem on the phone we will schedule a time for you to bring your project to the store to ensure that someone can assist you. We can usually observe your technique and in a few minutes tell you why you are having the problem and help you correct it so you become more confident in your skills
Gift Gallery
Our gift gallery offers gifts that are appropriate for any occasion and budget. We will also put your gift in a box and tie with a ribbon, at no extra charge.
Custom Stained Glass
Would you like to enhance the beauty of your home? Add a unique dimension to your business? Create a gift or heirloom for your family and friends? Commission an original piece of artwork that your congregation will cherish for generations?
Our family owned business is dedicated to sharing the beauty and craftsmanship of original stained glass creations. We custom design and create beautiful stained glass windows, doors, sidelights, and transoms, to enhance the beauty of your church, home or business.
Stained glass creations are a timeless treasure that will last a lifetime. We invite you to experience the joy and artistry of stained glass by calling or visiting our store today.
(812) 346-4527 or Toll Free 1 (888) 484-5277
Our History
My name is Lori Underwood, and with my parents Ann and Tom Means and my husband Mike Underwood we own and operate Classic Stained Glass and Gift Gallery, Inc.
But how did it all begin?
While taking a semester off from Hanover College in Hanover, IN. my mother, Ann talked me into taking a stained glass class at Anncraft in Columbus, IN. My mother has always loved crafts and has taken a lot of different classes over the years, I was never really interested in crafts. My love was music, and thought that my career would be teaching people how to sing. It was a great surprise to me that I fell in love with the art of stained glass. After our initial introduction to stained glass we found a store in Greenwood, IN. called Adrian's Stained Glass and I began taking all of the classes that were offered and perfecting my skills. Wayne Adrian, the gentleman that owned the store, thought my work was very good and asked me to work for him, which I did. He took me under his wing as an apprentice and taught me everything he knew. I worked for Wayne, teaching classes, ordering supplies for our customers, making beautiful stained glass pieces that were sold in the store and helped with custom work for about 10 years until his store closed.
At that point I opened up a studio in my home and did custom work for about two years, during which time I realized that I was a people person and missed all of the classes and interaction with everyone I would come in contact with on a daily basis. So I went to work for Barb Heilig at Accent in Glass on the west side of Indianapolis teaching classes, doing custom work and working in the store. Barb and I became great friends and she taught me the business end of stained glass. As Barb's parents became ill she spent more time in Alabama caring for her parents and I was able to run the store in her absence. It was great training for the future.
In 1993 I had a violent allergic reaction to a flea spray I had used in my home and returned to my parent’s home in North Vernon, IN. for them to take care of me. Because of the seriousness of my illness I was forced to take a leave of absence from Accent in Glass. The process of healing and recuperation took about three years, but as I got to feeling better my desire to get back to working with stained glass arose.
One day I said to my Mom, "wouldn't it be nice if we could open our own stained glass store? We could be together as a family and when Dad retires we'd have something we could all do together."
Soon after that conversation I had to send a package UPS. The following week I went back to the same business to send another package and realized the business was closed and there was a FOR RENT sign on the front door of the building. I realized there would never be another building in North Vernon so perfect for a stained glass store, even though all the windows were boarded up I could see the potential. I went home and asked "Do you think we could rent it and open a business?" We called the landlord, had a meeting and rented the building that night. We totally remodeled the inside of the building and opened the doors of Classic Stained Glass and Gift Gallery December 19, 1996. We are in our 22nd year of business and in 2007 the store became incorporated.
In 2002 I married Mike Underwood. He has since learned stained glass and has become my right hand man assisting me with custom work, installations, and is at the store most days unless he's hunting or fishing.
My Mom has worked in the store everyday from the beginning, manages the gift gallery, ordering, displaying the merchandise, and now works in the store mostly Thursday through Saturday.
My Dad helps with custom work, classes, installations, and works in the store everyday.
We all work together in whatever capacity is needed and enjoy being together so it has worked out great.