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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Another Monday. . . Random Thoughts...


This is exam time at the WVU Dental School - a mere 15 days and the semester is over. My class will very soon be 4th year Dental Students - this is both exciting and frightening. WVU is a great school and we are certainly very well prepared to assume the senior role, but health care on any level is a tremendous responsibility.
Daily I become more in awe of my own family dentist, the large practice he maintains with such ease and grace, my former pediatrician Dr. Magmundar (who reared her son and worked full time), and ...well, the list goes on.
We tend to assume our 'health care provider' will always be available and do a marvelous job, bill our insurance more most all the cost and that he or she won't notice if we have gained weight, returned to smoking or are very late with our yearly check up. WE often assume everything will always be the same - - and taken care of by someone else.
My Grandad often use to say " Ya get what you pay for, look for quality in everything!"
Blenko Glass (304 743 9081) continues to make daily in their factory hand crafted glass items - quality items. As consumers we often just 'assume' handcrafted made in WVa glass will always be readily available (and I certainly believe it will be) - but with all things - our health care providers, our factory workers, our health, our well being . . . we must be proactive.
Make wise choices, informed choices in all areas.
If you aren't using WV Glassware in your home - ask your self - "why not?" if you aren't giving 'gifts' Made in West Virginia - again, "why not?" We have some of the finest craftsmen in the world. Visit the TAMARACK CENTER - investigate
your options. BUY Made In the USA and when possible Made IN WVA. hjh
Note: The BLENKO GLASS FROG was I believed designed by Don Shepperd in the mid 80s. Corrects are always welcome!

7 comments:

WV Janis said...

THE ARTICLE ABOUT HILLARY

The article about Hillary is found on page 16 and 17 of the latest WVU Alumni Magazine (yes, I graduated from WVU). The magazine is available online.

Caution, it takes forever to load but it is worth it to read about Blenko and Miss Hillary. Here is the URL:

http://www.ia.wvu.edu/~magazine/issues/winterspring08/pdffiles/magazine.pdf

Westvirginiajanis

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone. Must say I am sorry have not been reading the blog lately. Bad girl. the flower shop is called Malden Floral Co. Located on main street in Malden, WV., you cannot miss it. The phone number is 304-925-0324. Been doing yard work and getting yard ready for a drive way so we can get blocks delivered and sit in yard for foundation. Remodeling the house I live in. Cannot wait till it is finished so I can decorate, have afew Blenko items I want. We own this 102 year old Jenny-Lynn that was built in 1906 for the coal mines up Cabin Creek. Wish these walls could talk I would most likely have lots of WVa. coal mining history. I have also small collect of old glass bottles that were found while I rearranged and made a new flower bed. Have not run across no Blenko glass yet but who knows when I will. Also have found marble's from old clay to glass one's.Could glass marble's be Blenko? Who knows what could be in the mountains of WVa. to find. People use to burn there trash and drink,and play marble's that is for sure. Well got to go hope to stay on top of this blog been else where in my mind and then I remember read the blog and see what Hillary's up too. Interesting stuff, history of WVa. the state that could be a country all to it's self. Smile! have a good day, Roxie

Anonymous said...

Also forgot to say you need a hug for that 2 page article, You look lovely and I am sure the college loves having Blenko. I also love history and why not be the gov. of WVa. thinking long term need my dental work finished first.

lewisdvdphd said...

Hilary
Does your Dad work as a craftsperson? Or your family owns a business that sells this stuff?
Just attempting to get to the root of your passion!
Lewis

lewisdvdphd said...

Question- has one of those frogs
turned into a Prince?
Notice you keep publishing photos of Frogs.
Lewis

Heart of Glass said...

Lewis,
NO ONE in my family sells anything - wait my uncle is a real estate broker in South Carolina - but otherwise NO ONE sells anything. We are not craftspeople.
We do VALUE our state (WVa) and the PEOPLE of West Virginia
and the FINE, Quality items produced in West Virginia.

HJH

Anonymous said...

Hilly
Does this mean
you smoke, you have gained weight,
you do not do yearly check ups
and you don't have insurance?
Sol