Christian “Ceejay” Renner-Thomas

A new venture is taking shape in Charlottesville—one that combines art, craftsmanship, and community. Milk Glass, a glassblowing business founded by Christian “Ceejay” Renner-Thomas, is the culmination of years of dedication, learning, and commitment to bringing something unique to the local art scene.

The story of Milk Glass begins not with glass, but with a simple notebook and a drawing of Tweety Bird. “I got into art because I found a notebook that my sister had,” Ceejay recalls. “She drew Tweety Bird. I was like, ‘Oh, this is kind of cool.’ And that was the spark that started me drawing.” From these humble beginnings, a lifelong love for art was born, one that would eventually lead to the world of glassblowing.

Growing up in Roanoke, Ceejay was initially more interested in sports than art. It wasn’t until 11th grade that he took his first art class, where he met a mentor who would change the course of his life. “He did an excellent job in my life,” Ceejay says, “and he sort of helped me prepare for the next stage of life after school.”

Ceejay’s path to glassblowing wasn’t planned. After initially being rejected from VCU, he attended community college, then re-applied and got in. A workshop called Space Research sparked his passion. “I fell in love with the process, technique, and trying to make things disappear,” he recalls, leading him to glassblowing.

Glassblowing, in particular, captivated Ceejay. The challenge of working with such a difficult material, combined with the artistry required, was something he couldn’t resist. “It’s kind of magical,” he says. “People describe it as choreography because you’re sort of moving around. You need a partner or assistance. A lot of times you’re not saying any words, and you’re waiting for cues to do things.”

But the path to mastery was not without its difficulties. Glassblowing requires precision, timing, and a deep understanding of the material. “There’s still a lot of trial and error,” Ceejay admits. “If I, in theory, want to make a drinking glass, it will probably take me, if I hit all the moves right, 10 minutes, but to get to that 10 minutes after 1000 reps, to learn how to make it correct.”

The idea for Milk Glass began to take shape a few years ago, but it wasn’t until a chance conversation with a neighbor that Ceejay decided to take the leap and enroll in the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) Entrepreneur Workshop. “I think the Workshop does a good job of how it goes over the different topics with different speakers,” he says. “It’s helped me think about things that I wouldn’t think about otherwise, like the marketing aspect—thinking about, okay, how am I going to get the word out, or how am I going to come up with a campaign to advertise to people?”

The signature series did not only provide him with valuable business skills but also connected him with a network of like-minded entrepreneurs. “The community, the network of people, and the commitment that you have to put in—it says something,” Ceejay reflects. “That’s just been cool to think about, devoting four months to this ‘thing.’”

Now, as Milk Glass begins to make its mark, Ceejay is excited about the future. He envisions a studio where people can not only purchase unique glass pieces but also participate in workshops and create their own. “I want to focus on skill and technique,” he says, “with the addition of the concept and things after learning more techniques.”

Milk Glass is more than just a business. “Where art, hospitality, and entertainment meet is where Milk Glass is,” Ceejay explains. “We believe people enjoy sharing memorable experiences, and we want everyone to feel welcome and like they belong.”

For those interested in supporting Ceejay, he recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund Milk Glass’ growth. “Kickstarter is a way for people to contribute, to start the business, say they were a part of it, and then to partner with us,” Ceejay says. The campaign offers various reward tiers, from stickers to glassblowing workshops, giving backers the chance to be part of something truly special. He is also a LaunchPad vendor at the Farmers Market at IX where he is selling his premade glass artwork.

As Milk Glass continues to grow, one thing is clear: it’s not just about creating beautiful glass art—it’s about building a community, one piece at a time. “I try to be as optimistic as possible,” Ceejay says, “without counting my eggs before they hatch.” But with the passion and dedication behind Milk Glass, it’s hard not to be excited about what the future holds.

Stay up to date with Ceejay and Milk Glass on Instagram!