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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.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Blenko Holiday Sale -


Hillary We were in Milton last week our goal was a) to spend the childrens inheritance on West Virginia Glass, and b) to stop at the factory to purchase christmas gifts. We were disappointed in both endevors. We discovered not much is available. At the factory the colors were not ones we recognized but seemed more garish. The technique of old seems to be lost. The shop had little to offer, I saw none of the lamps you promised and the lamp I did view was a hot orange color. May I respectfully suggest you publish photos of current items. Or if you haven't been to Blenko in the last year or go, visit you will be surprised by the change we were. Timothy S.

Tim
Blenko is a small family owned factory. The craftsmen at Blenko glass have great skill and are creative. It is impossible to have the shelves full daily - sales are brisk at the Visitors Center. May I suggest you order on line, or phone 304 743 9081 to inquire about availability of items you desire.
Blenko is known for 'color' they often experiment with colors and add new ones yearly. Perhaps the color you saw was a 2nd (the Visitor Center receives 2nd frequently), or from a batch that wasn't correct thus it was sold at the VC.
I have been to Blenko in the last year. My views are different. I saw the freshly cleaned Fence of Glass designed by Joel Myers, I saw new fencing around the beautiful lake, and a very clean and polish gift shop with full shelves.

Blenko is getting ready for the Holidays! The Holiday sale is this month.

You neglected to mention where you are located. Consider returning for the Holiday Sale. I guarantee you the shelves will be filled. If this is impossible, use on line ordering, OR phone Blenko and speak with one of the knowledgeable ladies on staff at Blenko. They will help you.
You also mentioned 'technique' the techniques used at Blenko are old, well established techniques with an occassional tweat or alteration. The Harvey Littelton quote about technique is a better response to your statement than anything I might state.

Blenko http://www.blenkoglass.com/ the last remaining manufacture of antique glass in the USA. Blenko Glass where you buy handmade items and everything in the shop was made in the USA.
Hillary
“technique is cheap.” All I meant by that is that technique is available to everybody, that you can read the technique, if you have any background. technique in and of itself is nothing. But technique in the hands of a strong, creative person, like Voulkos or Dante Marioni, takes on another dimension. And it’s that other dimension that is the product of our educational system, of our uniquely American freedoms, and so on.
Harvey K. Littleton


Oral history interview with Harvey K. Littleton, 2001 Mar. 15, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

8 comments:

Dr.BOB said...

Doc
Ask Blenko to send you pixs
we were in Milton 2 weeks ago and
found a dozen xmas gifts.
Our new home in Lewisburg is 75% completed, after our move I will personally take photos of West Virginia glassmakers products for your blog.
While I disagree with Tim, a phone call before the trip to Blenko will prevent disappointment.

Dr.BOB said...

Doc
Ask Blenko to send you pixs
we were in Milton 2 weeks ago and
found a dozen xmas gifts.
Our new home in Lewisburg is 75% completed, after our move I will personally take photos of West Virginia glassmakers products for your blog.
While I disagree with Tim, a phone call before the trip to Blenko will prevent disappointment.

bridgett said...

Return.
Blenko never disappoints.
If you don't see what you need,
ask, the nicest thing about 'small family owned' is
it is small and they might just make what you want and then ship the glass to your home.
This has been my experience on more than one occassion.
Rick isn't there, he was my contact person, however I'm certain many people are capable of making this happen.
Ask! You must ask for what you need.

WV Janis said...

Greetings Dear Hillary:

My suggestion for glass purchases for people who are just getting started is to visit TAMARACK at the crossroads of US 19 and I-77 in North Beckley (exit 45). They are BRIMMING with beautiful glass from almost all of the factories and small craft studios in operation today. Last week I saw BLENKO (including lamps), Hinkles, Osborne, Fenton, and more. Go to Tamarack and study everybody's work. Never a risk of seconds or "leftovers." Make some purchases. Write down the phone numbers on the tags and contact the studios/factories directly.

They glass Christmas ornaments in all colors, all neatly arranged on trees and color coordinated, will leave you speechless. Finally, as you ponder your purchases, stroll through the art gallery, the WV music hall of fame exhibit, or eat at the cafeteria catered by the Greenbrier. Totally a win/win situation. If you go to Tamarack, allow plenty of time to view all of these arts and crafts of WV, neatly arranged in the round!

http://www.tamarackwv.com/

If you are unable to drive to Tamarack, you can now shop online at the above URL.

Anonymous said...

Hilary
On the blenko website I read where some lady Michelle has 80 waterbottles, she has many different shapes why don't ya ask her for photos?
You want people to collect these and you never seem to have photos.
Just a thought.
Mountain Rita

Anonymous said...

Anyone besides me think the timer of this blog is from another planet?
Impossible. The date and time stamp are 8 or more hours off.
Also comments do not appear.
These items should be corrected asap.

Anonymous said...

I've never been disappointed while visiting and shopping at Blenko. I'm always overwhelmed by the beautiful items and have a hard time making selections. Some people are never happy with anything.

Heart of Glass said...

anonymous
I agree.
Hilary was being politically correct when she should have slammed the b____d who wrote those comments.
Lisa G