Title

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.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Blenko & Obama & Manchin

We ask for photos of your 'Holiday Decorations'. This home houses one of the major BLENKO GLASS collections. Their tree also has 'election buttons' for Manchin (who could possibly loves WV more than Joe and Gayle Manchin),& Obama , for this collector he's (Obama) a hometown guy, who is about to become PRESIDENT OF THE USA. This is my kind of tree - nostalgic ornaments, many one of kind blenko ornaments and the tree is personalized to represent this time in the families life. A time of HOPE . hjh


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

MY KINDA TREE
MOUNTAIN RITA

Anonymous said...

When will you get the photos of Fish from Blenko?
Did you ask them for the photos?
Sue M.

susan said...

The blenko on the shelves is magnif
can you get more photos from this family?

susan said...

While not in your state I agree Manchin has done more for W V than anyone in a long time.

Anonymous said...

These bulbs look very old, if not vintage a good reproduction.
Lovely tree.
Thank you for letting Hilary share.
Margie Hale

Anonymous said...

To see more of that wall of glass, use the following link the the Blenko Four website...http://www.blenkocollectors.com/collectionspages/blenkocollcollectionsC1.htm

Diane

Anonymous said...

AWESOME
Browsing discovered this site.
Outstanding job of combining glass and life.
Jack Allen

Anonymous said...

Hilly
I am forwarding this to the Manchins.
Sol

Heart of Glass said...

This tree belongs to Tammy and John Kosla of Chicago.
Tammy was classmate with Michele in high school.
Tammy collection of Blenko can be seen on the Blenko Four website and also on www.blenkoproject.org
I will also ask her to consider sending photos and stories about her collection.
HJH

lewisdvdphd said...

Send this to the national dem campaign headquarters.

Anonymous said...

Hillary,

Thank you for posting my Christmas tree pictures again this year. Each and every Blenko collector is different. None of us are identical and we all enjoy different things in life. Some Blenko collectors prefer Husted designs over all other Blenko designer items. Some prefer Don Shepherd designs over those of Husted, Anderson and Myers. I have Trey Gott and Matt Carter designs next to my Hank Adams and Winslow Anderson designs. There are collectors that prefer to collect samples from all designers; so no two collections will be the same. No one on earth should tell collectors not to collect designs made after a certain year. Collect what you like. I'm a collector that will buy designs made throughout the entire span of the company.

Just like when it comes to collecting Blenko, we are different with our politics. Blenko is not collected by only Democrats or Republicans. This year John, Andy and I decided to add the Obama and Manchin buttons to our tree. There are over 100 buttons on the tree and I personally love the mixture of buttons with the vintage and new ornaments.

I sent the pictures of our tree to several friends who are Democrats and Republicans. Teri and Barry, the owners of the http://www.usflagballoon.com/, are die hard Republicans. Teri and I usually agree on all things political until this year. We are still best of friends and will remain so for the rest of our lives. I personally enjoyed seeing what Teri did with our Christmas tree. I laughed so hard that my husband had to come upstairs to see if I was okay.

I hope everyone remembers Blenko is not only for the rich or poor, white or black, democrats or republicans, but for everyone. Blenko was sold worldwide with sales representatives not only in the United States but in Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Australia. Getting the world to agree on everything is a dream and most likely will never come true in our lifetime.

Our Christmas tree gives me pleasure. I am glad others have enjoyed seeing it. Then again, I also enjoyed seeing what Teri did with the picture I sent her. To me, collecting Blenko is fun! Remember, the love we have for Blenko should make us feel good and (when we can) laugh.

Like Hillary posted; I went to High School with Michelle Obama. I also have a semi connection to Senator John McCain. While I was in the Navy, I was stationed at VA-174 in Jacksonville, Florida. The very same Squadron John McCain was Executive Officer then Commanding Officer of. I did not arrive there until 1985; eight years after Commander McCain left. Another little fact; the VA-174 insignia was designed by Walt Disney. This was something we all learned upon checking into the squadron.

A couple years ago I had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful Governor of West Virginia Joe Manchin. Here was a WV. Democrat politician; and I was a registered Republican in Illinois. The only thing we had in common was the love of Blenko Glass (and the love for the state of West Virginia). I grew up around politicians thanks to my grandmother, and her very close connections to Governor Alexander of Tennessee. Imagine, being a Junior in High School; and your grandmother asking her very close friend Senator Howard Baker the Senate Majority leader to help you on a term paper! Anyway, here is proof that Blenko can and does bring everyone closer.

Remember, collecting Blenko (and anything else you collect) should bring you happiness. If you decide to bring Blenko and your other passions together, then so be it. Enjoy life!

Also, I would love to ask the residents of West Virginia if we here in Illinois could trade Governors with you?

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, to everyone that reads this wonderful blog.

Sincerely,
Tammy Kosla