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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.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Happy New Year from Heart of Glass

Phot of 1984 B LENKO GLASS www.blenkoglass.com catalogue. Happy New Year from Heart of Glass!

On this the beginning of a new year - I am repeating the 1st post from this blog:
I get emails frequently asking if I sell Blenko, if I work for Blenko Glass Co., and if I do appraisals. I did a disclaimer in the initial post.

I am NOT a Blenko employee, I am not an expert in any field I am a college student, I'll be a Doctor of Dental Surgery in May 09.

I have a great appreciation for handcrafted and made in WVa. most especially made by BLENKO GLASS Co. items. We are well into our third year of this 'blogging for glass!' I thank you - each of you for your photos, your comments, your articles, without you this blog just would not be successful. It remains one of the most successful Huntington Herald Blogs only because it is a community blog - a blog - in which the Blenko and west Virginia collectors graciously contribute. Please be proud of your blog!

9/2006 BLOG posted by Hillary J Homburg -
This blog will focus on the Blenko Glass Company located in Milton, West Virginia. Twice weekly I'll post on Blenko and WV Glass topics, once a month the post will feature an employee or designer from the present or past. Biweekly I'll post photos of individual Blenko made items, and items that are currently available from Blenko. We will offer some background information on the piece and perhaps the steps/ process used to make the item. I am NOT a fine arts major, a glass expert or an English/Journalism major. I don't have all the glass answers. I am inquisitive, don't mind asking people for answers - I believe in lifelong learning.
This blog will I hope be a place where we can learn together.If you have been to the Blenko Factory, or are a retired or former glass worker or just have photos of unusual Blenko and / or Blenko stories to share - this is the place - I'd love to see/hear them. For over three years, I have spent all my free time traveling to meet former Blenko and other glass workers and designers. I want to learn more about Blenko and W. VA. made glass. . . and I want YOU to THINK before buy glass...who made the glass. The number of glass factories in the US has declined by almost 72% in the last 15 years.Together we can stop this trend. Be an advocate for MADE IN WV.Blenko Glass Factory is located in Milton, W.Va., less than 20 minutes from Huntington, W. Va.
Ps. Thank you for reading and for your suggestions, and comments

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

what ever happen to good photography and layouts of catalogs
nobody does this anymore.

Anonymous said...

what ever happen to good photography and layouts of catalogs
nobody does this anymore.

Anonymous said...

Write more about the workers.

Phani said...

I like the hat. Wonder what took into making it....???

Heart of Glass said...

anonymous - Blenko still makes catalogs. Older
Blenko catalogs are collector items
they sale for $15 -$50 a piece.
You can however purchase the new catalog for $ 5 and it will grow to be a collectors item.
The new team has put together great catalogs for the last 3 years.
While I neglected to get catalogs since 2004. I plan to phone Blenko while I'm home to see if 2004 -2009 are available. I recommend you buy the catalogs now buy two - one to use, one to preserve.
Also buy BLENKO now - the glass you are buying made by Rider, Davis, Womack, Haarsbarger, Powers etc. this will be the glass people are collecting 20 years from now. Buy it - store it - age your own Blenko! The value will increase. Don't listen to the people who talk about bad quality and air bubles, air bubbles exist is Waterford (its called a breath of Ireland) - Blenko is handcrafted, the tool marks the air bubbles when they do exist make it even more special.
Don't pass up an opportunity to visit BLENKO GLASS - invest in Glass!

Anonymous said...

Hilary
You must stop letting writers make you angry and defensive. It isn't pretty. Let others do the nasty talking.
Margie Hale