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.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

WV Birthday - June 20th - Blenko Glass decanter - A First!

Christy of Blenko was kind enough to send the following update on WV BIRTHDAY Vase - Remember to plan for June 20th - be there early.
Below are the WV Birthday facts from Christy's note: (my comments are in RED).
We have our photographer taking pics of the WV Piece as we speak, hopefully I will have the disk back in a few days. I'm not sure if Katie told you, it is a decanter, pretty much a classic Blenko shape with a diamond optic, and a crystal stopper. 'Readers this is a first, and it sounds lovely beyond words' It is a pretty nice size, about 16" high w/stopper. It is in seabreeze. I'm excited that it is our first WV Day decanter. I think it is quite nice. . . . . . . . .. . . In fact, we have been producing this week, I think we will make again tomorrow and probably finish next week. Arlon Bayliss designed the piece. Arlon and Walter (Arlon Bayliss is the designer and signed Blenko (by Bayliss) is a treasure - Walter Blenko is Blenko family, and his signature is also rare).will be presigning as far as I know. Walter will be available for glass signing on WV Day as long as he nothing comes up at home that doesn't allow him to make it down. We will have a handful of men doing a demonstration on Saturday morning, probably until noon. Birthday cake as usual, refreshments. Readers, the birthday cake is made by a local cake artist, it always is 'over the top' with an image of the decanter and State of WV, the cake is a piece of art, and also delicious' Please GO up stairs, have cake and meet the Blenko Glass Employees, the people are my favorite thing about Blenko Glass, after you meet them, they will become part of your family also. IF you haven't Joined the BLENKO COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION consider doing this now. Blenko is throwing around the idea of a mobile class by Charlie Harshbarger, or something like that. I own 2 Charlie H. mobile, and wish I had 2 or 3 others, they are beautiful, colorful and functional. Also, we will have a porta potty set up for those brave folks who spend the night. PORTA POTTY - I don't spend the night, but I know the people who do will appreciate a porta potty! As far as I know, we will open at 8am that morning instead of the usual Sat time of 9:00. Things aren't set in stone yet, but I have to get it clarified soon, because we will have our usual Sunday full page insert in the Charleston & Huntington papers the Sunday before. I think June 14.
Everyone is invited to stop by and meet the office staff and the Blenko employees working this day. Everyone at Blenko works very hard, every day. For Blenko Glass Employees, Blenko is like Family.
Hillary, I need to get back to the importants things . . . Like making the company work, which by the way, is a group effort that takes every person in every department.
Hope this info helps. Will send you good pic when I get it. I could send a non prof pic, but would rather do it the right way.
PHOTOS are coming! Keep checking back, I'm away for a week at the beach, but will immediately post any / all photos.
Have a good evening.

Christy

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What beach are you visiting?
I own a small condo in keywest, its available to be borrowed let me know.
Sol

Anonymous said...

Blenko needs to send photo of this item and any new line.
Sol

Anonymous said...

New question is Ms B going to Columbus? Will she be wearing red and grey instead of blue and gold?
Sol

Heather from Atlanta said...

"Blenko is throwing around the idea of a mobile class by Charlie Harshbarger, or something like that." What a great idea! It would be great to have a Blenko mobile. A decanter - wow! Do they have a name for the piece. I can't wait to see the pictures! Also, thank you for the porta potty. See you in June - Heather from Atlanta, GA

Anonymous said...

SEABREEZE
MY QUESTION IS DIDN"T THEY TRY SEABREEZE FOR THE UNSUCCESSFUL BLENKO FESTIVAL?
WHY SEABREEZE ITS NOT BLUE OR GOLD
MY PREDICTION IS THIS ONE WONT SELL OUT BEFORE NOON IF IT SELLS OUT I'LL BE SURPRISED.
I WON'T BE COMING, UNLESS WHEN I SEE THE PHOTO IT IS OUTSTANDING AND EVEN THEN SEABREEZE.
MOUNTAIN RITA

Anonymous said...

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/galleries/news/x178791254/Gallery-Blenko-Glass-West-Virginia-Day-Piece


Gallery: Blenko Glass West Virginia Day Piece


-----PHOTOS OF THE MEN MAKING THE WV BIRTHDAY DECANTER -----

bridgett said...

When will you have photos?
Out of town people need time for reservations etc.
Shouldn't these have been made a couple months in advance?

bridgett said...

When will you have photos?
Out of town people need time for reservations etc.
Shouldn't these have been made a couple months in advance?

bridgett said...

Stop 'throwing around' ideas and make things happen in a timely manner.
Photos should be up months before also if new glass exist
it should be available
and photos of mobiles? For we 'non collectors'.

Anonymous said...

HILARY IF THE BLENKO GLASS HAS PHOTOS AND OBVIOUSLY THE GLASS PHOTO IS IN THE HERALD
ONE UGLY PIECE I MIGHT ADD, WHY DIDNT YOU HAVE IT FOR THE BLOG?
WHY DO YOU BOTHER WITH THEM.
WHY NOT DO FENTON OR OSBURN OR SOMEONE WHO WILL PROVIDE YOU FRESH INFO?
OR DO JUST THE OLDER GLASS. I LIKE THIS BEST AND IF YOU DO A POLE MOST READERS AGREE.
ALSO I HEARD YOUR PARENTS ARE SELLING THEIR BIRTHDAY PIECES AND WILL NOT BE AT THE JUNE20th EVENT.
SO EVEN YOUR FAMILY IS SEEING THE LITE.
ALSO HEARD WORKERS ARE NOT ALL BACK, BUT THE RATIO OF PENCIL PUSHERS TO GLASS WORKERS IS VERY HIGH. WHY DOES IT TAKE SO MANY SUPPORT PEOPLE?
I AM AWARE YOU WOULD RATHER HEAR ONLY POSITIVE BLENKO INFO BUT THE WEB IS FULL OF REMARKS LIKE MINE CHECK THIS IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME.
MOUNTAIN RITA
MOUNTAIN RITA

bridgett said...

Mountain Rita,
Everyone acknowledges that Blenko is ran by idiots who didn't appreciate or support the Blenko Collectors, former designers, former workers, and perhaps they don't support Heart of Glass.
This being said and taken into the record as fact, will you move on.
Obviously Hilary has decided to dedicate a good part of her time to Blenko Glass, and obviously you read regularly. She is providing a service, you are accepting the service. Eliminate the constant put downs of Blenko.
Demoralizing for me and other new collectors and it must be difficult for Hilary to read your vile comments.
Collect another glass if you must, my friends and I are new with Blenko and want to learn more, make knowledge based purchases, see Blenko survive and perhaps hire some experienced Hawkers and Management. This won't happen if we join in your "nasty party."
You may now feel free to attack me or get my personal email from the blog and send a note.
B.

Heart of Glass said...

Sol
Great 24 of my best friends and I will be available for the labor day weekend. Send the keys.
hjh
Everyone:
Blenko has a very limited staff, getting photos for the blog is difficult for them, be understanding.
Mountain Rita
My Dad will be in line, my Mom hasn't been well for some time, she won't be attending. They have never sold any Blenko item during my life time. This was a nasty rumor. Where did you hear this?
Bridget
Thank you! My thoughts are any negative and confusing cross talk is distracting for new collectors.
HJH
Questions? You may also email the Blenko Glass staff, the email address is listed on the website.
www.blenkoglass.com

Anonymous said...

Don't care for the wv birthday decanter this year. blenko has so many beautiful colors it is sad they went with seabreeze. And the design of this decanter is so simple. Looks like they would have gone all out for this one. I wont be in line this year.

Anonymous said...

Ya know Hilary
Mountain Rita makes some excellent arguements for adding other glass, think American or WV Glass and expand.