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.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Who has the 'best' Vintage Blenko?

Where to purchase the best Blenko ? Where to find Blenko with discount prices?

This is a question we received multiple times per week.
My usual response is to send a form email with 3 or 4 regional dealers - after checking the senders address.

For those of you in the tri state area: Purple Moon Charleston, WV is always my first ( and local) choice for
vintage items - furniture, lamps BLENKO, and other pieces of art.
Kissin Kate's of South Charleston is said to have a large selection of
high quality Vintage Blenko.
The Bronze Look in Princeton has a large store front and a big online business, they offer glass made by many West Virginia artist.
In Charleston, the Second Seating ( YWCA sponsored store) often has Blenko and other WV glass. The ReStore - The Habitat for Humanity thrift store on occasion has Blenko and other WV Glass in the section toward rear of 1st room marked 'odds n ends.
In South Charleston, WV around the corner from the Main Tinn (Chinese Restaurant) one will find several large consignment shops with WV Glass.
In Nitro, WV you'll find three large consignment shops - one was formerly a Kroger's Grocery Store all filled with vendors.
In Ashland, Ky on Clinton Street there is a small shop without a phone owner by Oliva Napier who sells only hand made glass from the 60- 80 most of it was made by her Uncle who worked for Viking.
The Shops of Milton across the street from Heck's Funeral Home - The Ole Timey An Antique Mall with 40+ dealers * always has Blenko ( end of day pieces, vintage and some new) the other shops on this street also have Blenko items.
Trophy Hair on Virginia Street in Charleston most often "Knows" where to find vintage Blenko - she's always a good source for the unusual and expensive.
The Gallery in Ironton - has no phone and is open only on Saturdays is a source of Blenko. Its my understanding her uncle was a Blenko employee in the early 60s.

If you have a favorite Blenko source or you sell Blenko email theblenkoproject@aol.com to share the address, phone # and other info.
In January we start compiling a new list of Blenko dealers - flea markets - etc to pass on when requested.
Happy Shopping!
Don't forget the Visitor Center Gift Shop located at Blenko Glass 304 743 9081. You'll find the very best prices of new Blenko
with an occasional surprise - an experimental piece, an end of day piece, or something that didn't make it into the regular line.
http://www.vmglasshouse.com/ is an out of state seller of glass, his specialty his
vintage glass. hjh

* Correction - Ole Timey Shop is not a consignment shop but an antique mall -
we'll feature The Ole Timey Shop later this month - with photos and a short story about this exciting shop. Blenko collectors new and old find treasures in this building.

































11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Hillary and All,
I wanted to clarify our location. Since closing "Kissin Kates" on Main St. in Hurricane, we have moved our store to the second floor of the South Charleston Antique Mall on D Street behind the Mound. I try to always keep 100+ pieces of Blenko ( 1st quality-retired colors, vintage and novelties) at any given time. When I am able to procure a large enough glass showcase, I will bring in the best of the best of my old glass. Hopefully soon...
Meanwhile, I have found the antique malls in South Charleston to be a mecca of vintage glass. You have to know your stuff,though, because if it still has the Blenko sticker on it, it won't be cheap. Even at yard sales now, any piece with a Blenko sticker is going to be priced at 50.00, regardless.
So do your homework, and hit the antique malls. If you know more than the vendor, you will find some great buys!
Have fun! Linda King

Anonymous said...

Happy Days
Are here again
People have come to
Partake & celebrate
Year after Year
Doing Likewise,
I take this opportunity to
Wish you all Love,
Affection, &
Lots of happiness &
Incomparable success.....








May this Diwali bring showers of
joy, peace
and happiness

Glasslady I know you are not Indian and most likely do not celebrate or even know of this holiday
Id like to wish everyone of all faiths and nations to celebrate
just like Xmas or 4th of July its a reason to be happy.
Perhaps next year Blenko will
do a vase in honor of?
Just a suggestion as mountain rita would say. Laugh

sweetdoc said...

No No Phani it is me
not Bridget
I wanted you to know we had 3 of these, you always seem interested in the sizes and what's available.
Sorry to confuse you.

sweetdoc said...

Three cheers to the Kings
I often stopped in Kissin Kate
in Hurricane.
Our group does the SC Antique Mall once a month we'll look for Kissin Kate in the mall.
Consistent and good dealers ( in the same booth) a rare find.

Anonymous said...

WE ARE IN CHARLESTON HUNTINGTON THIS WEEKEND FOR AN AFFAIR ON MONDAY RE: JOE MANCHIN
YEAH JOE!!!
WENT TO VC ON SATURDAY THE SUPPLY OF GLASS WAS GOOD, THE SERVICE BETTER THAN AVERAGE, THE OUTSIDE NEEDS A MAKE OVER THE WEEDS
WERE EVERYWHERE. THE BLENKO PROJECT GROUP MUST BE TAKING A WINTER BREAK. WHATS UP WITH YOU ALL?
MOUNTAIN RITA

Anonymous said...

ANNONYMOUS?
MOUNTAIN RITA IS STILL TRYING TO GET HER NEIGHBOR FARMERS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MEXICAN NEW YEAR
AND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
ALSO THAT ITS POSSIBLE TO EAT WITHOUT FRYING THE VEGGIES THE MEAT THE FRUIT.
MOUNTAIN RITA HAS HER HANDS FULL, I SHOULD SAY 30 MILES TO THE NORTH THEY DO HONOR THESE HOLIDAYS. JEFFERSON COUNTY IS
AS GLASSDOC WOULD SAY "UNIQUE" OR UNIQUELY STUCK IN THE SOUTH. ROXIE YOU WERE FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY RIGHT? DO YOU FRY FRUITS?

MOUNTAIN RITA

Anonymous said...

Little lady I am today sending you a CD of Viking ashtrays and you will stop the Blenko collecting
and start the Viking
collecting.
Viking made art glass.
Lawrence

~Vintageshopgirl said...

The Old Timey Shop in Milton is not a consignment shop, it is an antique mall with about 25 vendors, several of whom have a nice collection of vintage glass. You can find about 200pieces of blenko at any given time. Most are flexible with prices as well so it doesn't hurt to ask...

~Vintageshopgirl said...

The Old Timey Shop in Milton is not a consignment shop, it is an antique mall with about 25 vendors, several of whom have a nice collection of vintage glass. You can find about 200pieces of blenko at any given time. Most are flexible with prices as well so it doesn't hurt to ask...

Anonymous said...

Links
Phone #s
and GPS
is good
not all of us live
in Charleston
do not assume we 'know' the
area.
Thanks

~Vintageshopgirl said...

Sure, the phone number for The Old Timey Shop is 304-743-4776 and it is listed on Google maps for directions. Shop hours are 10-5 on Mondays thru Saturdays and 12-5 on Sundays. The annual Christmas Open House is the weekend after Thanksgiving this year (Fri/Sat/Sun) so there will be lots of sales.