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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, May 14, 2010

Blenko Question - Bud Dillion


DR. Hillary,
I know you have seen these plates and platter that were made in 1939 at Blenko for Harry and Virginia's wedding and we used them for Thanksgiving dinner till I graduated High school . We recently found a note in the family bible that read The plates were made by Bud Dillon. I vaguely remember him, Dose anyone Know any information about Bud?
Thanks Larry T.

13 comments:

WV Janis said...

Re the 2010 BLENKO Birthday piece: I think my dreaming out loud is going to pay off! Here is what I wrote on this blog the day after getting my birthday piece last year! It appears we might be getting a Mr. Decanter birthday piece!

Dear Bayliss team:

Something about the 2009 Birthday piece reminds me of the Elizabethan era. I can just see Queen Elizabeth's head as that crystal stopper and her famed collar as the lip of the decanter. The decanter's neck= the bodice; finally, the body of the decanter is her flared dress.

For continuity of pieces, perhaps next year, the Bayliss team can design a masculine, Jacobean era looking decanter to stand beside Queen Elizabeth 2009 as the 2010 BLENKO birthday piece. To the drawing board!

6:28 AM, June 21, 2009

Anonymous said...

Bud left Blenko for Viking then
he went to Imperial.
Tom B.

Anonymous said...

Janis
How did you find this information about Birthday piece?
I sold my collection last month, we have not seen any info other than a mailer from alum association reminding of the sale.
No photo or description.
Hilary there is no excuse for not posting this information on this blog.
Why are you not keeping us informed?
If there is a photo the collectors who read should be seeing the photo.
I am very disappointed. Every other day I read each and every word written on this blog.
Very few words about any new items at Blenko or news of Blenko.
I don't get it.
C.

Anonymous said...

One more quick comment. Sometime ago I saw these plates or similar plates on the Blenko Museum gift shop website they were in a golden color.
C.

sweetdoc said...

Birthday piece photos?

WV Janis said...

ailChitarakahn: I googled 2010 blenko birthday when Roxie said something about the piece and found this article from the Herald Dispatch:

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x540216664/Blenko-producing-West-Virginia-Day-pieces

I didn't see the finished product but according to the Herald's article, "Katie Tripp.... said for this year's limited edition piece, designer Arlon Bayliss has designed a 15-inch decanter in charcoal-- a Blenko color resurrected from the 1970's."

The only photo it shows is a decanter bottom that still hasn't cooled.

WV Janis

Anonymous said...

SHAME ON THE WRITER FOR THE HERALD WHO DID NOT INCLUDE LINK TO THE BLENKO BLOG IN HIS NEWSPAPER.
MOUNTAIN RITA

Anonymous said...

Photos we want photos of the birthday vase Hilary.

bridgett said...

I agree with the nameless poster who suggested we stop worrying for Blenko.
The Birthday Piece will be what it is - those addicts will purchase regardless of quality or beauty.
This is a long traditon.
People who stand in line, seem to enjoy the process and the conversation.
My dear Mr P has now joined the ranks of the Birthday obsessed.
Next year we shall make this trip together with our child.

Heart of Glass said...

Larry
Thank you for the photo. I'll email Don Lemley and Shorty Finley perhpas they knew Bud Dillion.
HJH

susan said...

? ? ?
Can Blenko make these plates today?
If so what is the price?
I'd love to have a couple dozen dessert plates in the Ruby.
I also liked the punch bowl from a previous post.
My question is if enough of us want punch bowls or dessert plates will they re create these?
Perhpas ask the lady who runs Blenko and let us know.
Thank you.

Phani said...

This year I will take many pictures of the glass at the visitor and the people who stand in line for the birthday piece (if they allow me) and try to document everything I can and post it online.

sweetdoc said...

I went last year as Glassdoc made the 2 day event sound exciting, and even educational.
I was bored. It was expensive, people were rude. I'll buy the Bday after market should I have a desire for another.
While I continue to follow Glassdoc's orders and buy the new Blenko. My eyes and heart are attracted only to the 50 and 60 and 70s Blenko.
Am I alone in my belief the designs have declined?