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.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Blenko Limited Edition Ornament - NOW AVAILABLE


4th Edition Hand painted Blenko Ornament for Fall 2009
Gold Finch ornament
Available for Pre-ordering now. (They will be shipped sometime in September, 2009)
I'll post photos of #1, #2, and #3 when they arrive from Blenko Glass.
If you purchased the first three - send a photo to theblenkoproject@aol.com .
Special ornaments are the perfect gift for newly weds, or to mark the birth of a baby or grand baby. My parents collected Waterford Ornaments for me from the time of my birth each year, I receive a new one. Terrific idea and then your 'child' or grand child has his/ her own Ornament Collection.
You should phone Blenko (304 743 9081) to place an order asap, these always sell out quickly.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Heart of Glass NEEDS Your Photos & Blenko Stories.

This week, consider taking photos of your BLENKO, the Blenko you are selling, the Blenko in your dining room, living room. The Blenko in boxes under your bed.
Your special pieces, and the pieces you know nothing about!
Share your photos and Blenko stories.
I won't ask you to share your favorite Blenko Shopping spots, as everyone writes with
the names of shops, and flea market vendors but attach a note saying, "Don't print".
However, if you are willing to share the names of your favorite
Vintage Blenko shops - Blog readers want this information.
We have about 30 very new collectors who read daily, and write to me often, as the long time blog readers know - - - I have little free time for shopping, and even less money.
For the new collectors having a list of reference sites, names of quality ebay vendors, and wood and brick store fronts provides a safer way to venture into the world of Blenko Glass Collecting!
We know this is a very busy time of year, and life is hetic, so, just as you have the time, take the photos, and send them to theblenkoproject@aol.com , if time permits tell us about how you acquired the glass, or what attracts you to Blenko.
hjh

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Blenko Glass - Harry Thompson


Hillary,
I found this photo today while going through some old photos.do you know who is the man with Harry? He looks familiar, might be Joel? They look verry serious about the peace Harry is working on.
Thanks
Larry T.

Friday, August 28, 2009

August Is a Month Of Change At Hudson Beach Glass Philadelphia

The Gallery

Change #1: The Bar
We've been open almost a year so we decided it was time to put in a bar. We'll be able to offer our guests espresso and tea as well as harder stuff after 5. Or during lunch hour. This will give you a chance to use Sean's amazing glasses and see for yourself the difference they make. The bar will also make it easier for us to host parties (including the huge one for our one year anniversary). And did I mention I always wanted a bar.

Change #2: The Neon
We will have rotating neon shows in the transom above the front door. This will allow us to highlight an art that is often disregarded as signage. The talent we're bringing in will change your mind about neon.

Change #3: The Video

Every First Friday a different video artist work will be projected onto the front of the building. If you can't see why that's cool then I think you have bigger things to worry about then the changes at Hudson Beach Glass.

The Studio

Change #1: The Glory Hole
Jenna, with the help of the Beacon Hudson Beach Glass experts, is building us a new Glory Hole. What's a Glory Hole? A Glory Hole is a furnace that is used for reheating the glass while a piece is being made.

Change #2: The Garage

Jenna is also building us a garage which is basically a small oven where pieces can be kept warm until the artist is ready to attach them. Combined with our new glory hole the garage is going to let our glass artist make much more complicated work.

Change #3: The Annealing Oven
Sean is building himself a bigger and better annealing oven. That's where the glass goes to cool down over night. Sean's been working with a tiny one for the last couple of months. His new one is big, has a sliding door, and shelves. We are very excited. Fine, I'm excited. Sean says I'm over-reacting.

www.hudsonbeachglasspa.com
info@hudsonbeachglasspa.com
267-319-1887

The Pumpkins Are Coming! - Blenko Glass

Fall will be here very soon. Blenko Glass tells me the pumpkins, gourds, and other fall items - - - - - - Think ORANGE!
Are now being stocked.
You'll want to be one of the first people visiting the Shop to obtain the very best of the Pumpkins.
I'll post photos of Pumpkins, Gourds etc. in early September.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Free Thoughts from a Reader - Your Response?

A blog friend and Blenko Collector currently involved in 'Docs w/o Borders' sent the following:
Dr. Hill Glasslady,
Ask the "Heart of Glass" group what things they can give up, things in their life and home they don't need. Also what things they continue to L O N G I N G L Y desire (for instance the large husted 'football' decanter in pink). I want to hear your response also.
My Own answer is: Things I don't really need! -More friends on Facebook
The latest Kindle
Obama's anything
Birkin Bag
Backyard pool
Disc / disk TV
Sports Car
More Blenko designed by anyone other than Husted.
HJH's Response
OK - I posted, we'll see what this brings - my response is "I have too much of everything "- and I desire (a) Guardian angels with a sense of humor (b) To develop Ruth B. Ginsberg's bravura or even a tad. (c) good health and a long life for my family and friends. (d) long and prosperous life for all West Virginia Glass manufacturers - big and small. (e) more people reading their local newspapers and becoming involved in local government. hjh

Support Dance / Art Education In Public Schools

Excuses are the tools of the incompetent!

""Dancing in all its forms cannot be excluded from the curriculum of all noble education; dancing with the feet, with ideas, with words, and, need I add that one must also be able to dance with the pen?" ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Support ART EDUCATION in Public Schools.

8 years ago I was the captain of my high school Dance Team. Dance, theater, sculpture, all arts should be a opinion for all children. hjh

Note: Michele Legg Director of Capital High Schools Performing Art Program ask me to say something about the need for Art Education.
Think how exciting the world would be if West Virginia offered classes in glass arts!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Searching for Glass Glasses?

Glasslight Studio, Pottstown area610-469-9066www.glasslightstudio.com> Fall is around the corner and we have a schedule for glass workshops! > The workshops cost $160 per person and run 9-5. There are two work> benches and plenty of annealing space. > > Here are the Fall session dates:> > Sept 13 (Sun), 26 (Sat)> > Oct 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 18 (Sun), 25 (Sun), 31 (Sat)> > Nov 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat), 21 (Sat - paperweights)> > Dec 6 (Sun), 13 (Sun), 19 (Sat)> I am the registrar for the studio so please let me know if you want to> take a workshop. > Pat Ackerman> packerman@healthpart.com or 215-991-4036> >

Searching for Glass Glasses?

Glasslight Studio, Pottstown area610-469-9066
www.glasslightstudio.com>
Fall is around the corner and we have a schedule for glass workshops! > The workshops cost $160 per person and run 9-5. There are two work> benches and plenty of annealing space. > > Here are the Fall session dates:> > Sept 13 (Sun), 26 (Sat)> > Oct 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 18 (Sun), 25 (Sun), 31 (Sat)> > Nov 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat), 21 (Sat - paperweights)> > Dec 6 (Sun), 13 (Sun), 19 (Sat)> I am the registrar for the studio so please let me know if you want to> take a workshop. > Pat Ackerman> packerman@healthpart.com or 215-991-4036> >

Blenko #3751


Hi HIllary

Just a few pictures for the bloggers to enjoy. This is a grouping of Blenko #3751 ring neck decanters. Predesigner pieces in Amethyst, Seafoam, and Turquoise.

Enjoy

Bruce Specht

Marvin Lipofsky

Marvin Lipofsky (born September 1, 1938) is an American glass artist. He was a central figure in the spread of the American studio glass movement, introducing it to California.

Marvin Lipofsky - Glass artist - founder of the Glass Arts Movement.
Blenko Connection to Marvin - (see past post).
OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, September 10 from 5 to 7.30 pmEXHIBITION through October 31, 2009For Press Release, please click hereTo download exhibition catalog PDF, please click hereTo order print exhibition catalog, please contact the gallery at info@micaela.com
Micaëla Gallery at 49 Geary Street, No. 234, is a block away from San Francisco's Union Square. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10.30-6 pm, Sunday + Monday by appointment. The closest BARTMUNI stop is the Montgomery Station. Public parking is available at the Sutter/Stockton Garage and the Union Square Garage. For commentary, please visit our BLOG. For more information, please visit our website at micaela.com, write to Danielle Grant at danielle@micaela.com, or join our Facebook page.
From WIKI - RE: Marvin
Marvin Lipofsky (born September 1, 1938) is an American glass artist. He was a central figure in the spread of the American studio glass movement, introducing it to California.Lipofsky was born in Barrington, Illinois, where his family owned a department store. In 1962, he earned a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois, and he went on to earn both an MS and an MFA in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964. There he studied under Harvey Littleton, considered one of the founders of the studio glass movement along with Dominick Labino. He would introduce the concepts of the movement during his subsequent stint as a Design instructor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught until 1972. During this time, he was responsible for training many studio artists.In 1967, he founded the glass program at the California College of Arts and Crafts, which he headed for two decades. He was also a founder of the Glass Art Society, and has served as editor of its journal.Lipofsky was one of the first American glass artists to travel to Czechoslovakia, where a studio glass movement had arisen in the 1950s. This would prove to be the first of many trips he would take; he became well-known for his journeys abroad and his collaboration with numerous glass artists around the world.Many of Lipofsky's works are colorful "bubbles" of glass, often semi-translucent to allow the viewer to examine their depths. He is also known for works inspired by pop culture he crafted in the 1970s; these include the "Great American Food Series," consisting of sculptures such as hamburgers and pickles crafted from glass. He is known for his surface treatments and for the organic form of his pieces.Lipofsky's work is exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Corning Museum of Glass, the Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, Japan, the Museums of Decorative Arts in both Bulgaria and Canada, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.He resides in Berkeley, California.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Blenko References ? Eige Book


Hillary
What books etc do you recommend I buy, I'm a new collector.
Bill V.

Bill,

I recommend :
Spending time visiting, the Blenko Museum, Blenko Collectors 4 websites. Then purchasing Blenko Glass 1930 - 1953 by Eason Eige and Rick Wilson. After this, I'd try to collect the Blenko catalogues.

Remember I'm not an expert in glass arts , so ask others for suggestions. Perhaps a reader will tell you what he/ she finds helpful.

HJH


Blenko Glass 1930 - 1953
Eason Eige and Rick Wilson
paperback 144 pp. ISBN 0-915410-34-6
Table of Contents Incudes:
I. History of the Blenko Glass Co
II. Blenko Decorative Tableware 1930 - 1953
III. Catalogue Page Reprints
IV. Advertisements, Publicity and Promotional Materials
V. Personalities
Note: Book is out of print, maybe found at the Kanawha County Public Library, Cabell County Library System and in used bookstores. Expect to pay $100+

Monday, August 24, 2009

Blenko Van Vases - A Texas Photo


Hi Hillary,

I wanted to share a picture of the different fan vases/ bowls from our collection. The small ruby bowl is a #3752. The more modern vase is the #872 in Antique Green and the Sky Blue footed bowl is a new addition to the collection. I don't have the model number but it is shown in the Eason Eige Blenko reference book and is probably from the forties. Maybe Tammy can help me out with model number.

Enjoy,

Bruce Specht

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Blenko - " Christmas Tree"


HI Hillary

,A couple of C475 Blenko "Christmas Tree" decanters. Seafoam and Turquoise.

Enjoy

Bruce Specht

August 23rd - What's So Special About Today?



" Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life? " What is the average life span? Don't waste another day!

This weekend " Rally your girlfriends for the end of summer Car Races- race to the tracks for a night of food, fun and fast cars then spend Sunday - having Brunch, and browsing those little shops - the ones with Blenko - or else spend the day shopping for Blenko on line

This information was provided to the Blog - by Webmaster Steve with the assistance of WIKI an on line free encyclopedia. August 23 is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 130 days remaining until the end of the year

Only #130 BLENKO SHOPPING DAYS http://www.blenkoglass.com/ left in 2009!


Events
79Mount Vesuvius begins stirring, on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
1305William Wallace, Scottish patriot, is executed for high treason by Edward I of England.
1328Battle of Cassel: French troops stop an uprising of Flemish farmers.
1514Battle of Chaldiran ended with a decisive victory for the Sultan Selim I, Ottoman Empire, over the Shah Ismail I, Safavids founder.
1541French explorer Jacques Cartier lands near Quebec City in his third voyage to Canada.
1555Calvinists are granted rights in the Netherlands.
1595Michael the Brave confronts the Ottoman army in the Battle of Calugareni.
1708Meidingnu Pamheiba is crowned King of Manipur.
1775King George III declares that the American colonies exist in a state of open and avowed rebellion.
1784 – Western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee) declares itself an independent state under the name of Franklin; it wasn’t accepted into the United States, and only lasted for four years.
1793French Revolution: a levée en masse is decreed by the National Convention.
1799Napoleon leaves Egypt for France en route to seize power.
1813 – At the Battle of Grossbeeren, the Prussians under Von Bülow repulse the French army.
1839 – The United Kingdom captures Hong Kong as a base as it prepares to war with Qing China. The ensuing 3-year conflict will later be known as the First Opium War.
1864 – The Union Navy captures Fort Morgan, Alabama, thus breaking Confederate dominance of all ports on the Gulf of Mexico.
1866Austro-Prussian War ends with the Treaty of Prague.
1873Albert Bridge in Chelsea, London opened.
1896 – First Cry of the Philippine Revolution is made in Pugad Lawin (Quezon City), in the province of Manila.
1904 – The automobile tire chain is patented.
1914World War I: Japan declares war on Germany and bombs Qingdao, China.
1914 – World War I: the Battle of Mons; the British Army begins withdrawal.
1923Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John P. Richter performed the first mid-air refueling on De Havilland DH-4B, setting an endurance flight record of 37 hours.
1927Sacco and Vanzetti are executed.
1929Hebron Massacre during the 1929 Palestine riots: Arab attack on the Jewish community in Hebron in the British Mandate of Palestine, continuing until the next day, resulted in the death of 65-68 Jews and the remaining Jews being forced to leave the city.
1939World War II: Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression treaty, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. In a secret addition to the pact, the Baltic states, Finland, Romania, and Poland are divided between the two nations.
1942 – World War II: Beginning of the Battle of Stalingrad.
1942 – World War II: The last cavalry charge in history takes place at Izbushensky.
1943 – World War II: Kharkov liberated.
1944 – World War II: Marseille liberated.
1944 – World War II King Michael of Romania dismisses the pro-Nazi government of General Antonescu, who is arrested. Romania switches sides from the Axis to the Allies.
1944 – Freckleton Air Disaster – A United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator bomber crashes into a school in Freckleton, England killing 61 people.
1946Ordinance No. 46 of the British Military Government constitutes the German Land (state) of Schleswig-Holstein.
1948World Council of Churches is formed.
1954 – First flight of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
1958Chinese Civil War: The Second Taiwan Strait crisis begins with the People's Liberation Army's bombardment of Quemoy.
1966Lunar Orbiter 1 takes the first photograph of Earth from orbit around the Moon.
1975 – Successful Communist coup in Laos.
1977 – The Gossamer Condor wins the Kremer prize for human powered flight.
1979Soviet dancer Alexander Godunov defects to the United States.
1982Bachir Gemayel is elected Lebanese President amidst the raging civil war.
1985Hans Tiedge, top counter-spy of West Germany, defects to East Germany.
1989Hungary: the last communist government open the Iron curtain and causes the exodus of thousands of Eastern Germans to West Germany via Hungary (September 11).
1989Singing Revolution: two million people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania stand on the Vilnius-Tallinn road, holding hands (Baltic Way).
1989 – 1,645 Australian domestic airline pilots resign after the airlines threaten to fire them and sue them over a dispute.
1990Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War.
1990 – Armenia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.
1990 – West Germany and East Germany announce that they will unite on October 3.
1996Osama bin Laden issues message entitled 'A declaration of war against the Americans occupying the land of the two holy places.'
2000 – A Gulf Air Airbus A320 crashes into the Persian Gulf near Manama, Bahrain, killing 143.
2006Natascha Kampusch, who is abducted at the age of 10, managed to escape from her captor Wolfgang Priklopil, after 8 years of captivity.

[edit] Births
1486Sigismund von Herberstein, Austrian diplomat and historian (d. 1566)
1524François Hotman, French lawyer and writer (d. 1590)
1623Stanisław Lubieniecki, Polish Socinian theologist (d. 1675)
1724Abraham Yates, American Continental Congressman (d. 1796)
1741Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse, French explorer (d. 1788)
1754 – King Louis XVI of France (d. 1793)
1769Georges Cuvier, French biologist and statesman (d. 1832)
1783William Tierney Clark, English civil engineer (d. 1852)
1785Oliver Hazard Perry, American naval officer (d. 1819)
1805Anton von Schmerling, Austrian statesman (d. 1893)
1814James Roosevelt Bayley, American religious leader (d. 1877)
1829Moritz Cantor, German mathematician (d. 1920)
1836Marie Henriette of Austria, Queen of the Belgians (d. 1902)
1843William Southam, Canadian newspaper publisher (d. 1932)
1846Alexander Milne Calder, American sculptor (d. 1923)
1847Sarah Frances Whiting, American physicist and astronomer (d. 1927)
1849William Ernest Henley, British poet, critic, and editor (d. 1903)
1852Arnold Toynbee, English economist and social reformer (d. 1883)
1852 – Clímaco Calderón, President of Colombia. (d. 1913)
1854Moritz Moszkowski, Polish/German composer (d. 1925)
1864Eleftherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece (d. 1936)
1868Edgar Lee Masters, American author (d. 1950)
1875William Eccles, English radio pioneer (d. 1966)
1875 – Eugene Lanceray, Russian artist (d. 1946)
1880Alexander Grin, Russian writer (d. 1932)
1883Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV, American general (d. 1953)
1884Will Cuppy, American humorist (d. 1949)
1884 – Ogden L. Mills, American Secretary of the Treasury (d. 1937)
1900Ernst Krenek, Austrian-born composer (d. 1991)
1900 – Malvina Reynolds, American folk singer/songwriter (d. 1978)
1901John Sherman Cooper, American politician (d. 1991)
1901Guy Bush, Major League Baseball pitcher (d. 1985)
1903William Primrose, Scottish violist (d. 1982)
1905Constant Lambert, British composer (d. 1951)
1908Hannah Frank, Scottish artist (d. 2008)
1909Syd Buller, English cricketer (d. 1970)
1910Giuseppe Meazza, Italian footballer (d. 1979)
1911Birger Ruud, Norwegian ski-jumper (d. 1998)
1912Gene Kelly, American dancer and actor (d. 1996)
1917Tex Williams, American singer (d. 1985)
1919Vladimir Abramovich Rokhlin, Russian mathematician (d. 1984)
1921Kenneth Arrow, American economist, Bank of Sweden Prize winner
1921 – Sam Cook, England cricketer (d. 1996)
1922Jean Darling, American child actress
1922 – Pierre Gauvreau, French Canadian painter, television writer and producer
1922 – George Kell, American baseball player (d. 2009)
1923Edgar F. Codd, English computer scientist (d. 2003)
1924Ephraim Kishon, Israeli writer (d. 2005)
1924 – Robert Solow, American economist, Nobel laureate
1925Robert Mulligan, American movie and television director
1926Clifford Geertz, American anthropologist, (d. 2006)
1927Dick Bruna, Dutch illustrator
1927 – Martial Solal, French jazz pianist and composer
1928Marian Seldes, American actress
1929Vera Miles, American actress
1930Michel Rocard, French politician
1931Hamilton O. Smith, American microbiologist, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1932Houari Boumedienne, President of Algeria (d. 1978)
1932 – Mark Russell, American comedian and political commentator
1933Robert Curl, American chemist, Nobel Prize laureate
1933 – Pete Wilson, American politician
1934Barbara Eden, American actress and singer
1934 – Sonny Jurgensen, American football player
1936Henry Lee Lucas, American serial killer (d. 2001)
1943Nelson DeMille, American novelist
1944Antonia Novello, former United States Surgeon General
1945Rayfield Wright, American football player
1946Keith Moon, English musician (The Who) (d. 1978)
1947Willy Russell, British playwright
1947 – David Robb, British actor
1948Andrei PleÅŸu, Romanian writer, essayist
1948 – Daniel Ruettiger, American motivational speaker
1949Katiana Balanika, Greek actress and singer
1949 – Geoff Capes, English strongman
1949 – Shelley Long, American actress
1949 – Rick Springfield, Australian singer and actor
1951Akhmad Kadyrov, President of Chechnya (d. 2004)
1951 – Allan Bristow, American basketball head coach
1951 – Queen Noor of Jordan
1951 – Jimi Jamison, American singer (Survivor)
1952Vicky Leandros, Greek singer and politician
1953Bobby G, British singer (Bucks Fizz)
1954Charles Busch, American director, writer, actor and drag queen
1956Andreas Floer, German mathematician (d. 1991)
1956 – Valgerd Svarstad Haugland, Norwegian politician
1956 – Skipp Sudduth, American actor
1957Tasos Mitropoulos, Greek footballer and politician
1958Julio Franco, Dominican baseball player
1959George Kalovelonis, Greek tennis player
1960Rodney Alan Greenblat, American graphic artist
1960 – Chris Potter, Canadian actor
1961Dean DeLeo, American musician (Stone Temple Pilots)
1961 – Gary Mabbutt, English footballer
1962Martin Cauchon, Canadian politician
1963Hans-Henning Fastrich, German field hockey player
1963 – Kenny Wallace, American race car driver
1963 – Park Chan-wook, Korean director and screenwriter
1963 – Richard Illingworth, England cricketer
1964Johan Bruyneel, Belgian cyclist
1964 – Kong Hee, Singaporean pastor
1964 – Yoshikazu Taru, Japanese professional wrestler
1964 – Wendy Pepper, American designer
1965Roger Avary, Canadian screenwriter, director, and producer
1966Rik Smits, Dutch-American basketball player
1967Richard Petrie, New Zealand cricketer
1968Chris DiMarco, American golfer
1969Keith Tyson, English artist
1969 – Jeremy Schaap, American sportswriter
1969 РGenevi̬ve Brouillette, Quebec television and film actress
1970Jay Mohr, American actor and comedian
1970 – River Phoenix, American actor (d. 1993)
1970 – Lawrence Frank, American head coach
1970 – Brad Mehldau, American pianist
1971Demetrio Albertini, Italian footballer
1971 – BoneCrusher, American rapper
1972Martin Grainger, English footballer
1972 – Raul Casanova, Puerto Rican baseball player
1972 – Mark Butcher, England cricketer
1973Casey Blake, American baseball player
1973 – Kerry Walmsley, New Zealand cricketer
1973 – Malaika Arora Khan, Indian actress and model
1974Ray Park, Scottish actor
1974 – Seth Binzer, aka Shifty Shellshock, American musician (Crazy Town)
1974 – Benjamin Limo, Kenyan runner
1974 – Christian Beranek, American graphic novelist and actor
1975Eliza Carthy, English singer and fiddler
1975 – Sean Marks, New Zealander-born basketball player
1975 – Jarkko Ruutu, Finnish ice hockey player
1976Scott Caan, American actor
1976 – Pat Garrity, American basketball player
1977Douglas Sequeira, Costa Rican footballer
1978Kobe Bryant, American basketball player
1978 – Julian Casablancas, American singer (The Strokes)
1979Edgar Sosa, Mexican boxer
1979 – Ritchie Neville, British musician
1980Denny Bautista, Dominican baseball player
1980 – Rex Grossman, American football player
1981 РStephan Lobou̩, Ivorian footballer
1981 – Carmen Luvana, American pornographic actress.
1981 РCarlos Cu̩llar, Spanish footballer
1982Natalie Coughlin, American swimmer
1982 – YTCracker, American musician
1982 – Scott Palguta, American soccer player
1982 – Erin Foster, American-born Canadian actress
1983Sun Ming Ming, Chinese basketball player
1984Glen Johnson, English football
Hillary Homburg - Dentist and Blenko Glass aficionado http://www.blenkoproject.org/.
1986Neil Cicierega, American cartoonist and musician
1987Nikki Gil, Filipina actress and host

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Wanted! Blenko - West Virginia Birthday Vases/ Bowls

Several blog readers are searching to complete their Blenko - West Virginia Birthday Collections.
If you have Birthday pieces for sale, please check the comments, and email these readers with photos of your items.
Questions? theblenkoproject@aol email me.
HJH

Friday, August 21, 2009

Blenko Feathered Friends Ornaments - Special Limited Editon

Hillary
I want to start collection the bird ornaments - is it too late? I can't find the pictures of the first ones and I don't know where to order? Will you publish the ornaments all of them in order? Why haven't you done this? Or should I try to buy from ebay?
Kelly Reed

Kelly
Christy from Blenko says there may be one or two of the #2 and # 3 at the factory, you may want to phone with your credit card in hand.

Christy sent a photo, but for some reason Blogger isn't accepting photos from I Phone. NOTE: I did publish in Sept 2008 the #1 editon and the #2 in Dec 2008. I'll attempt to get photos of all four and publish again for you.
It is a wonderful addition to the BLENKO line.

hjh

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Questions about Blenko

Hilary
Can you tell me where
1. To buy the blenko inspired quilts I see on the website?
2. Where to buy Blenko art / photos or graphic?
3. Where to buy the Blenko inspired (they are waterbottles and vases) stamps or tiles?
I'll look here for the answer.
Betty Scott

Betty,
The 'Collectors may have some excellent suggestions, check back.
I don't know the source of the Blenko quilts, or the stamps or tiles, we'll wait for others to respond.
About the art work - The folks I would purchase from are: Damon Crain www.vmglasshouse.com , Rick Lee @ www.rickleephoto.com , and Glen Brogan @ www.albinoraven.com (he and Rick Lee are both from West Virginia).
I'm certain there are many others - and perhaps readers will let you know about their favorites.
hjh

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Husted Shot Glass

LEMON is my favorite Blenko Color - I saw a Lemon Lamp at Winslow Anderson's home several years and fell imediately in love the color LEMON!

If you are new to collecting the Husted Shot Glass is sought after in any color!


Shot glass stopper decanter with dramatically elongated neck, designed in 1960, made in this color for only 2 years, #6027 in Lemon, 16.25in.H x 6in.D.
Photo and description courtesy of
Vintage Modern Glass - www.vmglass.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Blenko - Its All About The Children

This photo is of a young Ohio family - (if you know the identity please email us and we'll add - theblenkoproject@aol.com the script I wasn't able to read) The photo was taken at 2nd Annual Festival of Glass! The faces of these children .. . . . much like the faces of all children at Blenko....are engaged, and enthusiastic. BLENKO GLASS is filled with excitement and wonder.
A place where memories are made. Take your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephew soon to visit BLENKO GLASS located in Milton, W.Va. The glass workers, the ducks, the ponds, the museum, everything is waiting for you.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Walter Blenko

Glass Lady,Twice now my glass has been signed by a new person, while Mr. WH Blenko remains in the buidling.Is this person a Blenko? If so why do I not see his photo on http://www.blenkoproject.org/? Who is he and will you perhaps write about each of the Blenkos so I can put this in the case with my glass?Gina R.
Gina,
The Benko Project website needs to be updated. Mr. Walter Blenko, President of Blenko Glass, signed your glass.
Walter Blenko's reputation as a patent attorney is known world wide. A short bio - Walter J. Blenko, Jr. is Eckert Seamans - Of Counsel to the firm. He is a member of the firm's Intellectual Property Department.
Since 1954, Mr. Blenko has practiced in all phases of intellectual property law covering a broad range of technologies. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, numerous federal and state courts, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
To Blenko Glass Collectors - He is A Wonderful member of the outstanding Blenko Family! A family that continues to Give and GIVE to the State of West Virginia and to those of us who love and collect Blenko. His grandfather founded Blenko Glass, Blenko remains important to him, so important that he puts up his own monies and time to aide the company.
The fact that Blenko Glass is currently functioning with 50 employees is a direct result of Mr. Walter Blenko's involvement.
Pictured below is Mr. Walter Blenko signing glass at the 2nd Annual Festival of Glass in Milton, WV. Emails sent to the blog state Mr. Blenko signed without rest for more than 8 hours. hjh Note: Should the opportunity be available - always ask to have your glass items signed.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Willow Creek Glass

Fall Decorating Time - Check out these items. . . . . small enough for most any table. Available on line, at Tamarack, and at Blenko Glass.
Another West Virginia Glass maker - a small business between Weston and Clarksburg. email: willowcreekglas@webtv.net The prices are very low, the colors are clear, and the designs are unique.
I'll post more Willow Creek Designs in September.



Info from their website:
We'd like to tell you a little about WILLOW CREEK GLASS.Our glass studio is on a farm, in the hills of West Virginia.
1) We're really into recycling- approximately 95% of the glass we use is recycled.
2) Our glass art pieces are unique- most are one-of-a-kind pieces.
3) Our pieces are very reasonably priced- we believe that beautiful glass does not have to be expensive.
We really love what we're doing, and we like to think that love is reflected in our glass.
Please call if you have any questions.
We welcome special orders!
Sincerely,
Claudia Rexroad & Cliff Rock

glass blowing class

These photos were sent by Emily Snyder and she says they are from the observaton deck taken on Friday during the Festival of Glass.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Blenko Craftsmen Design Vases

Here are photos of three vases - designed by the SHOPS of Blenko for the 2nd annual Festival of Glass - the men - the craftsmen working together designed these vases. Each shop was responsible for a design. I have photos of three - Perhaps someone will write to tell us, what shops members designed these vases, and if there are others, perhaps we'll also get photos of those.
I do know the Visitors Center has several remaining - all are signed by the Shop members, the price is less than $70 @ and you can order by phoning 304 743 9081. These would make outstanding Xmas gifts, wedding gifts, or a great additon to a collection of glass. SHOP BLENKO GLASS TODAY!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Heart of Glass Blog Needs Your PHOTOS and Stories

Please send your Blenko photos, and stories for use in the Heart of Glass Blog
to theblenkoproject@aol.com .
Thank you
Hillary

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Bichons In the Park & Life


Hillary I want to buy a dog like Miss B in the photographs, tell me where to go? The local pet store has maltese which they say are very similar but no Bichon Fires.
Where should I look?
Ashley N.
So very many fluffs are in need of good homes, I can't resist responding to this queston.
If you read Heart of Glass, you know Bichon Frise's are an important part of my life. We re-home, train and 'just love' all bichons. We volunteer with The American Kennel Club's Bichon Club and also www.smallpawsrescue.org I must tell you a rescue dog isn't for everyone .

My family and I belongs to the Western Pa. Bichon Frise Club.

Each year the Club has 2 or three matches, to help new club members learn to show, and also to properly groom their bichons. Much of what the club does is to educate members and the public about caring for Bichons.

The Match is always fun, there are the very serious breeders (not many breeders in our club- but the ones we have are excellent), the everyday owner of Bichons (the devoted promoter of the breed - in our club both the professional breeders and the rest of us treat their dogs as family members) . Bichon owners are fun to be with, all events include food and play time for the dogs. Attending a MATCH would allow you to meet the bichons and their families. From a professional breeder you will get a dog with fewer behavioral and health problems. The breeder will be there to assist you every step of the way. Attend a 'match' just for fun, and to know the breed!

Last year one of our dogs - Whinny who was renamed "CASHMERE " won a ribbon in the Under 1 year Class.{ Occasionally BELNKO GLASS http://www.blenkoglass.com/ will be offered in the raffle baskets, or given as an award. } Cashmere received her new name when during her first week at my parents home she chewed to small pieces my Mom's favorite red cashmere wrap.
One thing to remember :
Owning anything - requires a great deal of time, patience and involves spending money.

Dogs - Glass - Cars - what ever your passions, they are expensive , take time to educate yourself, learn about the Dog - Glass - Car so that you not only collect, you value what you own. Each item, living or non living in our homes is a representation of WHO we are. Think before you purchase, then take only what you need, have the time to care for.


www.akc.org/breeds/bichon_frise This website has loads of info about Bichons.

http://www.bichonwpa.org/ Western Pa Bichon Club which I believe is the closest club to the tristate area. This is the club my parents belong, their are a two or three outstanding breeders in this club. Good Luck! hjh

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

2003 Designers - Readers question

Jay
I don't have the 2003 catalogue - collecting all the catalogues is for me a goal I have yet to achieve. Catalogues are difficult to find.
No one I spoke with this weekend knows the answer to your question, I will send an email to Tammy Kosla and when we have an answer - I'll post it here.
HJH
Hilary
I am attempting to record my own Blenko history and I have a big question, one site I visit says John Nickerson, Wayne Husted and Hank Adams all designed in 2003. I have the catalog and I see nothing about this. What items did each design? Can you provide photos, so I can look for them? Also when it says a group of Blenko employees designed g;ass, who are these employees?
Jay Burdette
John Nickerson
Wayne Husted
Hank Adams
Each had designs in 2003

Monday, August 10, 2009

California Blenko

Readers - I'm clearing out the SPAM Folder - some of these maybe a duplicate - but all are beautiful photos of Blenko Glass. hjh



Hillary:

I haven’t been out antiquing as much as I used to, but I have two recent finds that I think the bloggers will enjoy.

First, located in a medium sized multi-booth antique mall in Ventura, CA. 598 L pitcher in Persian blue, complete with sandblasted etching. This pitcher is 18” tall, and the largest of the three sizes in which the design was made, medium being 16” tall, and the small one 11” tall. This design was made only in the 1959 line. I paid $55 for this piece; Pina’s book Blenko Catalogs: Then and Now lists price ranging from $100 to $150.

Second, located in a large multi-booth antique mall in Santa Clarita, CA. Probably a 3715 S vase in Sky blue. The vase is 6” tall, slightly seeded glass. According to the catalog reprints in the Eason Eige book, Blenko Glass, 1930 – 1953, page 87, there were four sizes of this design, 3715 L at 9”, 3715 M at 7”, 3715 S at 6” and 3715 X at only 5”. I paid $14 for this piece, which originally sold for $1. The Eige price guide (1992 – 1993) lists the large vase being between $60 and $75. I say probably a 3715, because according to Damon Crain, early Blenko designs were not always original or exclusive to Blenko. However, it feels right (hard to quantify, I know, but that’s the best description I can give of the method) and I’m leaning towards it being an early piece of Blenko glass.

Bottom line, I bought both pieces because I liked the design, condition and color, and was comfortable with the price. I passed on another pitcher in a different Ventura antique mall on the same day as the piece was over $100, and the condition of the piece did not warrant that price.

Excellent decision to moderate the comments; Good luck in your career, and I hope you continue with the blog.

Best,

DW / Calif

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Blenko Landscape

Dear Heart of Glass readers: If you have never been to Milton to purchase BLENKO Glass, if you have never driven in Southern West Virginia, this is what you are missing. There are times when you are, literally, higher than the clouds. On this tour, I saw a black bear, a rainbow that arched across US 19, fireworks in a night sky just north of Beckley, fireflies that hovered in trees as bright as Christmas lights, and, finally, many, many views like the one in this photo! Southern West Virginia should be declared a National Treasure! When you drive for hours and hours seeing the rolling hills, you start to appreciate the mountainous bases of the birthday pieces designed by Don Shepherd in the 1980's. This is the landscape of BLENKO!
WV Janis

Oh, those West Virginia hills, how majestic and how grand............

Your Photos and Comments For Heart of Glass

Please keep comments focused to Glass - American made Glass, and Blenko Glass.
While I appreciate your interest in my education and progress - and I'll on occasion address this, and your sense of familiarity & caring with one another is heartfelt and sincere. Let us keep all this to a minimum.
It is important that we remain a blog that focuses on the past, present and future of Blenko Glass and West Virginia Made Glass products.
As always we welcome your photos, and your comments, and your stories about any area of the glass making process. Family photos, family stories etc with some connection to glass making.
Your visits to Blenko, and your shopping for glass travels. We want this to remain a Blog that is written and maintained by people who enjoy West Virginia, and American made glass.
If as advocates for American made Glass - we use the remainder of this year to focus on Blenko Glass, exposing others to the beauty of Blenko Glass, educating your friends, neighbors, and perhaps your local shops about Blenko Glass. These actions will assure a solid future for BLENKO GLASS in Milton, West Virginia .
Remember to BUY Made IN USA, BUY BLENKO GLASS for all your gifts!
Blenko now has many small items, with cost under $20 - we'll be focusing on these items in the month of Oct to allow for early Christmas shopping.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Blenko ? Lamp - Can we help to identify?

Readers: AF from Ohio bought these as BLENKO, can we help her identify the year, or if they are in fact Blenko? hjh


Hi, I was wondering if you could help me? I acquired a pair of what I believe to be Blenko Lamps and in my research I was only able to come up with the Rialto Line as a match for color. They are both opaline and light rosy white on the tops and bottoms that is hard to capture in the photo. But there is no ruby accent, and the walnut base is square. Any information that you have would be appreciated. AF

2nd Annual Festival of Glass

Judging from the emails in my box, the 2nd annual festival of glass was a big success. One report says over 2,000 people during the 2 day event.
All the classes were filled to capacity.
I have photos from three sources and I'll publish all the photos in the Sunday edition of this Blog.
If you have photos or a story about the 2nd annual Blenko Glass Festival of Glass you want to include please email with the word BLENKO in the title to
theblenkoproject@aol.com
Questions, comments etc. are welcome!
Make plans NOW to attend the 3rd annual Festival of Glass in Milton 2010.

Happy Birthday to BLENKO Collector Skip Copley

Today is the birthday of Skip Copley - Skip is a realtor/ broker in the Mount Pleasant South Carolina - Myrtle Beach South Carolina area.
He and his daughter Julia, own a unique Blenko Glass Collection. Skip's family and friends tells me they will spend the week end, at his lake house, discussing Blenko, jet skiing, water boarding, eating and trading glass with one another.
Skip's collection include items from all the Blenko Designers, many West Virginia Birthday Vases, and a collection of 'end of day' items made and signed by various Blenko Glass workers.
Note: Know a Blenko Collector with outstanding Blenko Glass? Submit their name and address to theblenkoproject@aol.com and we'll ask for permission to photo and display their glass for everyone to view on the Heart of Glass Blog.
Have a great item of Blenko, or a new 'find'? Heart of Glass welcomes your photos, your stories, and tidbits of information about Blenko and American Glass. hjh

Friday, August 07, 2009

Weekend Happenings!

Blenko Glass' 2nd Annual Festival of Glass continues Saturday. If you attend please send photos and your stories about the event.
Also going on Saturday and Sunday are the following events:

State's Largest Yard Sale - Buchannaon, West Virginia.
Blog friend McLinda writes: The annual Yard Sale goes from Thursday til Saturday 9pm in Upshur and Lewis counties, she reports shoppers from Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Ohio as well as West Virginia attend. There are 115 registered sellers but the guide states there are two or three unregistered vendors for every one that's registered.

McLinda writes, there is something for everyone, lots of GLASS and the prices are very low on Saturday!

In Charleston the MULTIFEST Event www.multifestwv.com/ is in full swing - This is an event devoted to diversity and multi cultural dance and music and foods.

Last year my favorite vendors were (1) Wooden Spoon - they make fruit flavored sorbet from WV fruit w/o sugar added - also their display has BLENKO Glass prominetly featured. (2) LEONARD's FAMILY RESTAURANT ( travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-49433396R-the_leo... - 46k ) from Shrewberry St., Mrs. Leonard's daughter Michelle and I danced together all during highschool. Mrs. Leonard is known state wide for her fried fish sandwiches, her chicken and her chicken wings - she is a great cook, she also does catering. Blenko Glass pitcher with sunflowers is displayed in her booth. (3) Freeman's Family Resturant - this diner is located on Washington Street West across the street from Chris' Hot Dog stand. They specialize in home cooked dinners and also do catering. The Freeman stand has a Blenko Glass waterbottle in ruby red with daises.

In all there are more than 3 dozen food vendors, many from out of state. Multifest is known for the delicious, and a great variety of food. The entertainment is always top notch.

BOB THOMPSON UNIT - www.colortones.com remains my favorite year after year. Bob Thompson does classic jazz.