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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, June 01, 2009

Harry Thompson


Readers: If you have Blenko stories and photos to share email theblenkoproject@aol.com many readers live out of state, sharing your photos allows them to learn more about BLENKO and West Virginia. hjh
Currently we are also seeking 'after hours items' items not in the catalogue and made by workers during lunch or end of the day.



Hillary,
Harry Thompson was such a quiet man that i had to learn about this peace from two of his fellow workers and fishing budys, one of them on a fishing trip ask him how he learned to blow glass, he said that he learned a lot from the swed Carl Erickson. We were working with ruby one day and Carl and i had some free time so he asked me to blow up a ball and he would show me how to put on a foot and handles.I put the handles on like some of the items we made then starting at the top. the first time on the foot was not as hard as it looked . The finished peace looked like a fat man with his hands on his hips. I was not sure that this was the peace that they were talking about until i talked to another Blenko man that confirmed that this is the peace of glass that Harry and Carl made .
Thanks Larry T.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You need a better photo I can't see the top of this.
Ted E

Dr.BOB said...

Agree with Ted, can't see the top clearly and I am now a big Harry Thompson fan, when will you update the Blenko Project to include his bio and more photos?
Also what about Jarfly and others?
Don't ignore talented workers current and past.
Add them.
Too much Shorty Finley and too little of the others.

bridgett said...

I am also a Harry Thompson fan
how do I go about purchasing glass made by Harry Thompson?

Heart of Glass said...

I'll ask Larry if he can get more light onto the glass.
Like all of us, he has a full time job.
The item is beautiful don't ya agree?
Dr Bob,
I ADD older, retired workers, as I get information - if you or someone else has a family member or you are a retired Blenko employee send info to theblenkoproject@aol.com I want very much to add many retired workers.
HJH
Re: Purchasing Harry Thompson glass?
I don't know that the workers signed their glass - we'll put the question out there to Larry and others - return to find their response.