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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, April 23, 2009

Dave Fetty master demonstrations

Dave Fetty of Fenton will be doing master demonstrations at FENTON GLASS - this info is from the Fenton Glass website. Check the website for dates and times.

Dave Fetty and Shorty Finley remain friends and weekly they talk about glass arts and designing new projects. FENTON GLASS one of the FEW remaining Glass Factories in the USA.
Fenton has long been associated with the television home shopping networks and has many many local collectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The phrase "off-hand" really means working "by hand," as the glass artisans create various effects by shaping molten glass and applying threads or bits of glass in contrasting colors.
Dave may use a mould to bring the piece to its final shape, but all the decorative effects -- colored frit, hanging hearts, pulled feathers, handles, ringing, threading, etc. are done strictly by hand.
Don't miss out on your chance to attend a FREE 1 hour master craftsman seminar featuring Dave Fetty or one of his apprentices...on a special Saturday !
Spaces are limited for these special "up close and personal" sessions so reserve your seat today!
About Dave...
A skilled glassworker, Dave Fetty retired in 1999 after more than 40 years in the glass industry. Dave came to Fenton in 1964 after learning the trade in Milton, WV, at the Blenko Glass Company, where he began as a carrying-in boy when he was 19. Dave's mentor at Blenko was glassworker "Shorty" Finley, who taught Dave many of the skills needed to make glass off-hand (without moulds).
In the mid-1970s, Dave worked with glass artisan Robert Barber, helping to design and create some of Fenton's first limited edition pieces. In 1998, Dave taught a "pulled feather" technique to other glassworkers, and he supervised them as they produced this vase for the 1998 Connoisseur Collection.
Even after his "official" retirement, Dave has continued to contribute to Fenton.
http://www.fentonartglass.com/ BUY GLASS MADE IN THE USA!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

WHY IS FENTON FLOURISHING AND BLENKO IS NOT?
WHO RUNS FENTON?
I NOTICE THE WORKERS SIGN THEIR OWN PIECES AND ALSO RECENTLY WAS TOLD BY FENTON WORKER THEY ARE PAID PER PIECE.
WHATS THE STORY AT BLENKO?
MOUNTAIN RIA

Anonymous said...

A theory perhaps but it appears all the glassworkers look great after age 60?
Les Womack and the gentlemen at the Olders Days at Blenko all looked super good and now Mr. Fetty is also ageless.
Is it the chemicals?
Your thoughts?
Rhonda

Anonymous said...

Fenton is successful due to good marketing, good employee relationship and a good neighborhood policy.
Sam a Fenton neighbor

Unknown said...

Myself I discovered Fenton on a shopping network. Then while googling Fenton I found this blog, from this blog, I found many other wonderful online sellers.
During late nite on calls downtime I revisit Blenko Collector Four my fave and the Fenton Collector websites to learn.
My thoughts are Blenko will recover, loosing the spokesperson is never easy, the economy is bad, however currently it is in vogue to buy locally and to buy handcrafted.
Fenton, Blenko and many others will flourish.

bridgett said...

Blenko BLENKO Blenko -
Founded in 2005, Sacred Destinations is an ecumenical guide to more than 1,250 sacred sites, holy places, pilgrimage destinations, religious buildings and sacred artworks in 61 countries around the world. In addition to fully illustrated articles, there are photo galleries containing over 24,000 high-quality images plus detailed maps and lots of practical travel information. It is a big project that is being expanded almost daily. Happy exploring!

Sacred Sites by Destination

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bolivia

Burma

Cambodia

Canada

China

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark Easter Island

Egypt
England
Ethiopia
Finland

France

Germany

Greece
Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia
Iran

Iraq

Ireland

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Italy
Ivory Coast

Japan

Jordan

Lebanon

Korea

Malta
Mexico
Morocco
Nepal

Netherlands

Norway

Pakistan
Peru

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Spain
Sri Lanka

Sweden
Switzerland

Syria
Thailand

Tibet

Tunisia

Turkey

United States
Uzbekistan

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Wales
Sacred Sites by Category

Ancient Mysteries

Biblical Sites

Buddhist Temples

Carolingian Architecture

Cathedrals

Catholic Shrines

Da Vinci Code Places

Dead on Display

Eastern Orthodox Sites

Foosteps of the Buddha

Footsteps of Jesus

Footsteps of Luther Footsteps of Paul
Graves, Tombs & Relics

Greek Temples

Hindu Temples

Holiest Sites
Jewish Museums
Largest Sites & Artifacts

Luther Sites

Mayan Ruins

Medieval Stained Glass
Misericords

Monasteries & Abbeys Mosques
Murals & Frescoes

Oldest Sites & Artifacts

Protestant Sites
Roman Sites & Artifacts

Romanesque Architecture

Sacred Mountains
Shinto Shrines

Synagogues

Tallest Churches

World Heritage Sites

Anonymous said...

Hilary
Is something the matter? You are not responding to blogger questions, and you did not write yet about Earth Day or Mother's Day.

Margie Hale

Heart of Glass said...

Mountain Rita
No USA glass company is flush curently - these are tough times.
I have no knowledge of Fenton's management or pay scale.
Thank you for Buying Made In the USA and Blenko Glass.
hjh

Heart of Glass said...

Rhonda
Perhaps just ' being near the glass' Mr. Bill Blenko, Wayne Husted, Joel Myers, Marvin L, etc don't 'work' the glass but they do seem not to age.
Excellent observation and perhaps a thesis topic?
hjh

Heart of Glass said...

Bone
Thank you for your generous comments, please continue to learn about USA Glass and to buy BLENKO!
Bridgett
How did you get past my spam filter?
hjh

Heart of Glass said...

Margie,
Graduation is the 2nd week in May, and I'm very busy with moving, exams, so forth. This day I did write a post for Mother's Day and took time to respond to bloggers questions.
Thank you for the push.
HJH

Phani said...

I think thats because she used Blenko Blenko Blenko in her email. Also, its not spam its good information. You all should try the website 'www.sacred-architecture.com', great insight in to archichitecture of sacred places around the world and you would be surprised what you find in there. I am sure you would find it very interesting. Thanks for posting it Bridgett.

Phani said...

Blenko Blenko Blenko

I meant to say: "www.sacred-destinations.com"

Enjoy the website.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know why if Fetty worked at Blenko, he like Dave Osburn left?

Unknown said...

Nice vase in this article. Phoned Fenton you won't believe the cost.

Anonymous said...

Hilly,
Are you not graduating?
Read on line the dent school graduation is mid may no invitation was in my mail, no announcment on the blog, many students take 5 or even 6 years to finish, so don't feel too bad.
We are all behind you.
The blog and blenko take a lot of time, so its understandable.
Whatever the year, you invite me and I will come.
Sol

bridgett said...

I own a collection of 8 Fetty that I purchased as a set when an online collector was selling to prepare for retirement home.
Fetty s work is perfect!

bridgett said...

??? Why not promote Fenton more, it is a WV Glass company and its open and very visable.
Just a suggeston.
My bet is the Fentons would welcome the idea and provide you with more stories than you could use.
Want me to connect you? I joined last year and have become a very vocal supporter.