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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.

Friday, August 07, 2009

BLENKO Mushrooms


Dear Heart of Glass Readers:

Here we see three BLENKO mushrooms; two vintage and one new. The green and yellow are the two vintage BLENKO mushrooms. I'm guessing they are from the 1970's, the decade of the mushroom craze! The yellow one still has part of the foil sticker. In front, you see a new BLENKO mushroom. It is black with multiple colors in the spots. The red glass spots are raised; likely, red glass has a higher melting point. In the picture, you can barely see where Walter Blenko signed on the right side of the black mushroom cap. Also, the cap on the new mushroom is attached differently; something that distinguishes new from old. BLENKO mushrooms are whimsical and easy to use in decorating.

WV Janis

10 comments:

DrAnnu said...

I once saw a glass mushroom collection in the home of a Budhist devotee, I don't know the significance of the mushroom ---? for readers? - - or perhaps it was a personal collection. These were make by local Spanish glass craftsmen and very colorful much like the 70s blenko mushrooms.

Anonymous said...

Hilly
This is your birthday month, the exact day is ____?
I want to send a card, phoned your Charleston home last evening, strange your mom whom I know from working on the garden was not nice to me on the phone.
Sol

lewisphddvm said...

Awesome photo Janis.
Sol,
Hilary's Mom no longer ask us for help in the garden. Did you think perhaps your comments are the reason we were excluded from the volunteer garden committee?
Happy Birthday Hilary!
Your wisdom makes you 110, your community service 220, your compassion 330, your smile 16.
Keep smiling. Keep ignoring Sol and men like us. You'll life will be longer and happier.

Anonymous said...

Happy August (Virgo) Birthday
Dr. Glasslady.
Thnx West Virginia Janis for the beautiful pix
again I say more plz.

Anonymous said...

Lewis
I dunno if women live longer without men of Sol's kind or it just seems longer.
Laugh.

Anonymous said...

History of the mushroom? Anyone know the history of the mushroom who started and when?
Also who is making now?

Anonymous said...

BLENKO MUSHROOOMS AND MUSHROOMS IN THE WILD SHOULD BE COLLECTED FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
In the early 70s mushrooms were used to get a little bit of a high and also we began to know the value of mushrooms for health. Check these links:
Weil, Andrew (10/16/2006). "Looking for Mushroom Magic?". http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400055. Retrieved on 2009-04-25.
^ , http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Coriolous_Versicolor.asp
^ Zhang, M (2009), "Dietary intakes of mushrooms and green tea combine to reduce the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women.", International Journal of Cancer (International Journal of Cancer (Online)) 124 (6): 1404–1408, doi:10.1002/ijc.24047, PMID 19048616
Like other good for you things found in nature, the govt has conspired to make us fear the mushroom.
Now we hear its filled with yeast and a horrible food.
Oh, soon they will say typing on blogs lead to cancer.
MOUNTAIN RITA
Question, are mushrooms now available in Blenko?

Heart of Glass said...

Mushrooms are frequently available at the Visitors Center, and one can special order by phone 304 743 9081.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

DO THE CATALOGS PLEASE