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, January 14, 2010
67 Days Until Spring!
Shop Blenko Glass. Shop for Made In West Virginia Glass in the off season.
14 comments:
Anonymous
said...
A friend wrote to ask me "whats the status of Blenko without Richard" Without Rick, Dave Osburn, and many other talented people. The status of Blenko well the quality of people remaining vs the quality of people leaving? How to answer this question without seeming to be caustic.
Difficult decison would you prefer to have Rick Blenko with a life time of experience and knowledge of glass and glass process Brent who also has a graduate degree and years of experience selling and promoting or a 25 year old who is doing on the job deer in headlights? Blenko is not the Blenko we knew and loved. Many other WV manufacturers Fenton, Hinkle, Homer Laughlin, Osburn, any of the atist on display at the Beckley pavillion would be my choice over the current Blenko. Its simple you can't make glass, even if you have an outstanding designer without many craftsmen. One of two alone can't hold the company. My heart bleeds for Rider, he must be working over time all the time. Anyway, you can't make glass without a team of good craftsmen, you can't promote your object without knowledge, personality. These may now be a problem for Blenko. I bet the employees wish they could turn back the clock, welcoming Rick, Gene, and Brent with open arms. Osburn left before the house of cards began to tumble. We collect all made in USA glass, we are not impressed with the current Blenko product line. Make 2010 better, please!
Dont forget the firing on Don lemly, he was a marshall grad, had worked every dept in the factory in his 20 years. The Blenko's paid for him to take classes in industrial ceramics to learn furnace design and batching glass mixtures, annealing principles. ( I think Mr. Blenko and Rick had plans for him) I spoke to the man many times about fusing, annealing. He really knew what he was talking about. She comes in and fires him because she doesn't like him. I have been in and talked to some of the guys they all say that is why she let him go. This is SAD SAD when a man with a family gets canned cause some young girl doesn't like them. Needless to say the poor guys left a scared to breath they know they could be next.
I agree with Dr.Bob. I feel those with questions about the operation of Blenko should go ask Blenko themselves and stop stirring the pot on this site. For we like to look and learn and enjoy fine glass from the state of WV. The glass does not talk and can only bring hurt to one if broken. We buy, we collect and yes will be sadden should Blenko not make it. For the people who know longer work for Blenko, maybe their lifes will be better off and will be Blessed with something better. On top of that the glass makers are still making and saling glass for it appears that is their desire in life, to make a famous piece of glass. Sorry I have commented twice today. Roxie
I enjoy all the comments also, this is a forum for open debate right. We can all learn alot from reading each others views and comments. It keeps me coming back daily.
chitrakahn wrote "I bet the employees wish they could turn back the clock, welcoming Rick, Gene, and Brent with open arms." NO WE DON'T!! But we would like to see the office cleaned out too.
The ONLY people that can not be replaced is the glass craftsmen. If they start walking its all over. The other "workers" would do well to remember this.
Okay guys we're way off topic. As a frequent visitor to Blenko for more than 15 years let me say everyone at Blenko works hard. Always have. THe ladies in the office may have AC / but its still a factory and they work 40+ hours a week. HJH Buy Blenko Glass, support a West Virginia owned and operated business.
i am sorry if i get off topic, but i love blenko. i would plan a trip down and spend all day watching the blowers, exploring the visitor center, and going to the stained glass dept. to look for a treasure and talking to those guys. It was a great way to spend a day. It just not the same, i miss my glass friends. :(
Are you seriously going to make a statement like that???? You said, "As a frequent visitor to Blenko for more than 15 years let me say everyone at Blenko works hard. Always have. THe ladies in the office may have AC / but its still a factory and they work 40+ hours a week." This isn't about the ladies in the office having AC, it's the fact that they don't work hard. I know this to be the God's honest truth, and these women know it too. This isn't your typical company that manufactures products and employees people to work jobs that are necessary to cover every aspect of the daily operations. These women will not step up and be greatful for a job and try to help others who are working their butts off to keep this company up and running. They NEVER miss a break and yet other departments NEVER get their breaks!!!!! So please Hillary, do not presume to know the inside of a company and how hard "everyone works" just because you have been a frequent visitor for more than 15 years. I'm sure you are a very sweet young lady who obviously has worked very hard to reach your goals. Unfortunately, not everyone who works has that same hard work ethic. I also think your love (and blindness) of Blenko Glass is a childhood memory that you have been able to continue and carry with you as a young adult. Childhood memories are a wonderful and cherished possession to carry in life, but if we look back although the experience (Blenko Glass) itself is not always the biggest memory. It is who we are with and the time we have sharred and knowing we are loved and being able to show love back.
14 comments:
A friend wrote to ask me "whats the status of Blenko without Richard"
Without Rick, Dave Osburn, and many other talented people.
The status of Blenko
well the quality of people
remaining
vs the quality of people leaving?
How to answer this question without seeming to be caustic.
Difficult decison would you prefer to have Rick Blenko with a life time of experience and knowledge of glass and glass process
Brent who also has a graduate degree and years of experience selling and promoting
or a 25 year old who is doing on the job deer in headlights?
Blenko is not the Blenko we knew and loved.
Many other WV manufacturers Fenton, Hinkle, Homer Laughlin, Osburn, any of the atist on display at the Beckley pavillion would be my choice over the current Blenko.
Its simple you can't make glass, even if you have an outstanding designer without many craftsmen. One of two alone can't hold the company. My heart bleeds for Rider, he must be working over time all the time.
Anyway, you can't make glass without a team of good craftsmen, you can't promote your object without knowledge, personality.
These may now be a problem for Blenko.
I bet the employees wish they could turn back the clock, welcoming Rick, Gene, and Brent with open arms.
Osburn left before the house of cards began to tumble.
We collect all made in USA glass, we are not impressed with the current Blenko product line.
Make 2010 better, please!
CK
Such vile language.
chitraken,
Dont forget the firing on Don
lemly, he was a marshall grad, had worked every dept in the factory in his 20 years. The Blenko's paid for him to take classes in industrial ceramics to learn furnace design and batching glass mixtures, annealing principles. ( I think Mr. Blenko and Rick had plans for him) I spoke to the man many times about fusing, annealing. He really knew what he was talking about. She comes in and fires him because she doesn't like him. I have been in and talked to some of the guys they all say that is why she let him go. This is SAD SAD when a man with a family gets canned cause some young girl doesn't like them. Needless to say the poor guys left a scared to breath they know they could be next.
I agree with Dr.Bob. I feel those with questions about the operation of Blenko should go ask Blenko themselves and stop stirring the pot on this site. For we like to look and learn and enjoy fine glass from the state of WV. The glass does not talk and can only bring hurt to one if broken. We buy, we collect and yes will be sadden should Blenko not make it. For the people who know longer work for Blenko, maybe their lifes will be better off and will be Blessed with something better. On top of that the glass makers are still making and saling glass for it appears that is their desire in life, to make a famous piece of glass. Sorry I have commented twice today. Roxie
Roxy
I enjoy all comments from you.
Margie Hale
Roxie, you wrote "The glass does not talk and can only bring hurt to one if broken."
Blenko Glass is broken and people are hurt.
I enjoy all the comments also, this is a forum for open debate right. We can all learn alot from reading each others views and comments. It keeps me coming back daily.
chitrakahn wrote "I bet the employees wish they could turn back the clock, welcoming Rick, Gene, and Brent with open arms."
NO WE DON'T!! But we would like to see the office cleaned out too.
My question is whose left to do the work?
Ted E
The ONLY people that can not be replaced is the glass craftsmen. If they start walking its all over. The other "workers" would do well to remember this.
Okay guys we're way off topic.
As a frequent visitor to Blenko for more than 15 years let me say everyone at Blenko works hard. Always have. THe ladies in the office may have AC / but its still a factory and they work 40+ hours a week.
HJH
Buy Blenko Glass, support a West Virginia owned and operated business.
i am sorry if i get off topic, but i love blenko. i would plan a trip down and spend all day watching the blowers, exploring the visitor center, and going to the stained glass dept. to look for a treasure and talking to those guys. It was a great way to spend a day. It just not the same, i miss my glass friends. :(
Hillary,
Are you seriously going to make a statement like that???? You said,
"As a frequent visitor to Blenko for more than 15 years let me say everyone at Blenko works hard. Always have. THe ladies in the office may have AC / but its still a factory and they work 40+ hours a week."
This isn't about the ladies in the office having AC, it's the fact that they don't work hard. I know this to be the God's honest truth, and these women know it too. This isn't your typical company that manufactures products and employees people to work jobs that are necessary to cover every aspect of the daily operations. These women will not step up and be greatful for a job and try to help others who are working their butts off to keep this company up and running. They NEVER miss a break and yet other departments NEVER get their breaks!!!!!
So please Hillary, do not presume to know the inside of a company and how hard "everyone works" just because you have been a frequent visitor for more than 15 years. I'm sure you are a very sweet young lady who obviously has worked very hard to reach your goals. Unfortunately, not everyone who works has that same hard work ethic.
I also think your love (and blindness) of Blenko Glass is a childhood memory that you have been able to continue and carry with you as a young adult. Childhood memories are a wonderful and cherished possession to carry in life, but if we look back although the experience (Blenko Glass) itself is not always the biggest memory. It is who we are with and the time we have sharred and knowing we are loved and being able to show love back.
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