Anderson Compote

Hi Hillary,
For my final photo I am sending this nice pair of Andersons. The compote has a great story behind it that I will share with you later. The first part of the story is that Debbie found this piece several years ago at an Antique Mall that was shutting down. Tucked on a back shelf behind a lot of other stuff. At the time I didn't know it was Blenko for sure but the color was what I knew had to be Chartreuse seed glass. Bought it and then spent the next six months trying to get it identified. Turns out I was right in that it is indeed Blenko and an outstanding design of Winslow Anderson, Blenko #974 Hollow Stem Compote. The smaller piece is another Anderson piece: a 947L in Chartreuse seed glass.
Enjoy
Bruce

Husted Bottles

Hi Hillary,
A grouping of Husted designs will be the fifth for today. From the left we have #546 in Turquoise, #569P in Jonquil, another #546 in Tangerine, and finally a #569P in Turquoise. This grouping is currently decorating our breakfast nook table. Makes a nice grouping to wake up to with the Texas sunrises.
Enjoy,
Bruce

Rabbits for Easter?

Blenko Basket photo from www.blenkoproject.org. Blenko Rabbit photo from Blog Reader ROXIE who is currently bidding on the rabbit.

WWW.BLENKOGLASS.Com for all your tableware.

Buy Made in USA! Buy Made in WV by your neighbors - Buy Blenko Glass.

Easter Baskets & . . . .

The very best baskets for Easter are made by BLENKO GLASS. These baskets last a life time. Can be used as a center piece, a bowl for candies, or in the bathroom to hold soaps.


http://www.blenkoglass.com/

The baskets are often found for under $70 in the Blenko Glass factory shop in Milton, WVa.
Bunnies for Easter or yard scapes can also be found at Blenko Glass.
www.blenkoproject.org for photos of the 87 Basket.
Our favorite basket was made by Don Shepperd in the 80s for use as a WV Birthday Piece - he called a ladies bonnet - we use this basket / bonnet to holdguest soaps and toiletries in a guest bedroom.
Blenko Rabbits ( available at the factory store in Milton) are often used in April Decor, some use the Blenko rabbits in their garden and porch scapes.
BLENKO GLASS think out side the box! Blenko has something for everyone on your list - and for every occasion.

Blenko Genie Bottle

Available now - Blenko Glass factory store and museum in Milton, WVa.
Also available on line www.blenkoglass.com. The genie bottle has been produced by Blenko for 30 or more years - always a best seller! Available now for a very low price - in a selection of current colors.

Blenko Project NOT on Facebook

Blenko Glass http://www.blenkoglass.com/ - the online shop is open 24/7 and the Milton factory museum and gift shop is open daily. Shop Made In USA.

In the last month I've received a number of emails asking about

The Blenko Project Facebook account. I've tried to respond to each email - however, after the 50th email I decided to address the issue here.

The Blenko Project is NOT on facebook! Or at least I'm not.

An account has been made by someone not known to me.

My sincere apology for any confusion. This account (facebook) does not

belong to me and I have no knowledge of the account.

Learn more about the history of Blenko and West Virginia Glass

visit http://www.theblenkoproject.org/ .

HJH

Blenko Decanter

Available now - Online www.blenkoglass.com. Shown in Kiwi.

Historic Blenko Photos

Hello Here are some photos - old photos from the Herald Dispatch history gallery - can you identify the men or year for these Blenko photos? HJH email: theblenkoproject@aol.com

To view the whole gallery visit:http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/galleries/historicalphotos/x584101440/Gallery-Do-you-remember-April-18-2011

Designer question - can you help?

First of all, we love your website…Very Informative!
My wife and I have a Blenko art piece that we purchased in 2000 at the Visitors‘ Center that we had signed and dated by Richard, his dad William H. Jr. and Initialed ”CH” by the designer on a special signing day that was held for specific art pieces.
We were living in Huntington during that period and are presently living in California.
I have attached a couple of photos of the art.
It is numbered #290.
We forgot the name of the designer and noticed that he is not mentioned in your Blenko Project site.
I was just wondering who this designer “CH” was and how many of these pieces were made and numbered if you could help.
I appreciate ANY information.

Thank You and Regards,
Ralph and Andrea Auletta


http://www.AulettaPhotography.com

Blenko 6731 - Photos from Bruce S

This is a pair of 6731's designed by Joel Myers. the taller is in Plum and the shorter piece which should have a lid is in Honey.

6724's Check out the Lemon!

I believe this to be a full set of Myers designed 6724's. From left to right you have Honey, Turquoise, Olive Green, Tangerine and Lemon. I would be interested if anyone has or is familiar with another color that Blenko might have produced this design.

Bruce

Celebrate Paul J. Stankard's 50th Anniversary Exhibition

Celebrate Paul J. Stankard's 50th Anniversary Exhibition

April 1 through May 8, 2011 This special exhibition celebrates Paul J. Stankard's 50 year journey as a glass artist. After 50 years of working in glass, Paul is still challenged and inspired by the creative act as he searches for new ways to express the beauty that surrounds us. Works on exhibit will include Paul's newest orbs series, "Flowers, Fruit and Nuts" in which viewers will find honeybees hovering over ripe fruit, lush leaves and blossoming flowers. This exhibit will also feature a variety of Paul's Early Works spanning several decades of his career, providing a rare opportunity for the public to purchase a piece from Paul's personal collection of one-of-a- kind experimental works.

Find more information at http://www.wheatonarts.org/

Blenko Bowls

Hillary: I want to use Blenko in my August beach wedding, I bought 3 dozen candle holders and now I'm looking for bowls to use as center pieces. Suggestions? Tonya
Tonya - The Blenko Glass website www.blenkoglass.com online store contains photos of a dozen bowls currently being produced at Blenko.
These are available in a variety of colors. The star and clam bowls are pictured below.
My favorite Blenko bowl is bonnet shaped, it was designed by Don Shepperd in 85 usually in crystal. This can be found in antique and flea markets.
One other comment in April Blenko often makes baskets with handles - these could easily be used for center pieces.
HJH

Glass Blowing Class Info from Toni P

I recommend Don Gonzalez's glass classes in Stockton NJ. I am especially impressed by Don's glass casting (solid not blown glass). As Don states in his announcement below, glass casting does not require any skill with a blowpipe. Don was for many years the Hot Glass teacher at Bucks County Community College, so he is an excellent teacher. He is also an expert in Venetian (Murano) art, and has a very nice collection at his home. His website www.dongonzalezglass.com has examples of his work, as does http://www.glassblower.info/Don-Gonzalez/January-2010/Don-Gonzalez.html Tony P Hi Everyone! Week-end glassblowing and glass-casting workshops will be offered at the hot glass studio of Don Gonzalez this spring. Glassblowing workshops will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 5 pm. Students will acquire a hands-on working knowledge of glassblowing. Basic control of the glass and several shapes and color application techniques will be covered. Each section will have four students and the cost is $250 per person. You will leave with a minimum of 5 pieces of your own hand-blown glass. People who prefer glassblowing instruction with fewer students can make such arrangements with adjustments to the fees. Contact me if you are interested in talking about this option. The schedule for this seasons glassblowing workshops: April 16-17, April 23-24, April 30-May 1 Private glassblowing classes can be arranged to accommodate a busy schedule. The privates are generally one day and cost $400. This is an ideal situation for someone with limited experience who wants to improve basic glassblowing skills or for those who prefer a private lesson. I have 17 years of teaching glassblowing on the college level and am well-versed in glassblowing instruction. Many of my former students are working in the glass arts field. One day in my studio will save you hundreds of hours of trial and error and $! Privates can be scheduled any week-day from April 19 -June 1. Casting glass in sand: The weekend glass-casting workshops will focus on creating and building sculptures, tiles and vessels employing the sand-casting technique. Whether your approach is functional or sculptural, the sand-casting process has unlimited surface design possibilities. You can carve freehand in the sand, or transfer the image of just about any shape or object into the sand to achieve surface decoration or a theme. Inclusions of shapes made from copper sheet, screen, or wire, and colored glass threads are possible to augment your designs. The process involves designing in the negative in sand, and then pouring hot glass into the negative space. See the SCULPTURE and PORTFOLIO sections of the website to see some examples of my studies in the sand casting technique. Sand casting is an exciting process that doesn't require the glassblower's skills and is an excellent opportunity for established artists to explore a new medium. The casting workshops will be held on Saturday and Sunday and can accommodate 6 people. Cost is $225 per person. I will provide extensive advance information to help you plan a productive casting session. The schedule is: May 7-8, May 14-15, May 21-22 (some weekday casting is available during my own casting sessions fee 125./day) Call 908-996-6664 or email Gonzalez_6007@msn.com to reserve space or to talk about a customized session. www.dongonzalezglass.com :go to the website for details and examples of blown and cast glass

Nobody Does It Like....Myers . . .JP Myers

Another nice set of Myers designed decanters in Tangerine from Bruce in TX. The smaller decanter on the left is a 6630s and on the right is a nice 7019.

TEXAS Sunshine

A nice grouping of Myers designed vases. The taller ones (14") are 6839's in Tangerine and Lemon Crackle. The smaller version (10") is the 688 in Turquoise. The Tangerine piece I just picked up mis-listed on Ebay for $21.00. I like to believe that my photo does it justice but in this case it is does not. Just explodes in the Texas sunshine. Enjoy, Bruce

A Mold Maker

Several years ago my family and Shorty Finley went to our first Appalachain Glass Festival. The event is held in Weston, its hosted by Chip Turner of Appalachain Glass. We had the honor of spending an afternoon visiting with the gentleman featured in this article. I'm publishing the entire press release and photos from WV Museum of Art Glass located in Weston, W.Va.

Weston, WV – A marvelous oral history of the glass industry has been preserved on video and can be seen on YouTube at www.youtube.com and searching “mould maker”. The memories of Paul Weinberger were captured on January 22, 2011 in the Dorothy S. Daugherty Library for Glass Research at the Museum of American Glass in Weston, West Virginia. Mr. Weinberger seems relaxed in a comfortable wing-back chair as he is sensitively questioned by off-camera interviewer Marion Hearn wife of the videographer Carl Hearn. Because the YouTube format is limited to 15 minutes, the interview is divided into five sections, each with a theme, beginning with how he and his family started their mould making business on through to the demise of the American glass industry. A native of Weston born in 1923, Mr. Weinberger is a third generation mould maker. His grandfather worked in Constantinople, Turkey where his father was raised before coming to Weston to work in a glass factory. Mr. Weinberger graduated from high school in 1941and was then selected for a Depression era NRA program in Charleston where he studied pattern making. He subsequently worked at a navy yard where he made patterns for the battleship Missouri. After WWII he joined with his father and brother, who both had prior experience at a Weston glass company mould shop, to establish an independent shop. He could make a pattern in one day that was quickly made into a wood model that was then sent to a foundry where it was made into cast iron. The speed and quality of their work soon brought them business from all eight local glass companies and then business from as far away as Long Beach, CA, Washington state and even Peru. Mr. Weinberger’s position gave him intimate knowledge of glassmaking as he knew the factories and industry men well. He recalls riding with his uncles, one a foreman at West Virginia Glass and the other a foreman at Louie Glass, as they drove the moulds back and forth between the factories. He also tells of the significance of glass canes and the yearly glass exposition held just outside of Weston. Perhaps the most sad recollection is the one when he made a mould and was told when it was finished that it was to be shipped to China. His pain can be felt. Throughout the interview it is obvious that this talented man is proud of his work, but remains humble as he gives credit to his high school geometry teacher and his early training. This interview is a rare opportunity to see the American glass industry from an insider’s view. It has preserved first-hand the history in a very personal way for us and those who follow. In addition to the on-line interview, it is available on a continuous loop at the museum. The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day noon to 4:00pm. The balance of the year the museum is open daily noon to 4:00pm and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Admission is free. It is easily accessible off I-79 exit 99 onto US 33 West for two miles to Main Avenue. A left turn onto Main and the museum is on the left at 230 Main Avenue. Begun in 1992, the museum relocated to its present location in 2007 and occupies 12,000 square feet with over 12,000 pieces of glass on permanent display. The museum is home to the National Marble Museum and The American Flint Glass Workers Union Archives. The museum holds an annual marble festival and numerous special exhibits throughout the year. More information can be found at http://wvmag.bglances.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

Blenko 6819

Hilary As a new , very new collector I am overwhelmed by the supply of Blenko on ebay. Tell me where to start. My plan is to spend $500 each year. JC JC Thank you for writing, for reading the blog and for starting a Blenko collection. Welcome. I'd spend a large part of the $500 for visiting Museums - start in Weston with the WV Museum of American Glass, while you are there buy books on Blenko and American Glass. Only after this should you start to buy glass. If you must immediately purchase an item of glass. Order the 6819 ( a reproduction in the 2011 line) http://www.blenkoglass.com/ for available colors. hjh

Blenko www.blenkoglass.com

Note: These hats are even more beautiful in color. Anyone have a photo of Blenko hat(s) ? Please send to theblenkoproject@aol.com .

hillary, I collect hats - did Blenko make hats? If so can you publish photos and tell me what I must pay? What colors are most costly. emilee Emilee, The www.blenkoglass.com website has photos of two hats - a top hat and a cowboy hat. Both are available from Blenko at a cost of under $140 each. In the after market one can find these hats in a variety of colors. Kissin Kate had a WV State Trooper hat made by Blenko Glass. At one time a Texas Collector had a Texas Longhorn Hat made by Blenko Glass. When you purchase new - Ruby is most expensive. In the after market I would guess Ebony is the most expensive. It was made for a brief time only. Good Luck. Thank you for reading and for your purchases of Blenko Glass. Hillary

Blenko Statement to the Press

On Friday, March 25, we received word from our bank that Big Two Mile had garnished and emptied our bank account. This goes back to a dispute over billings and charges for gas supplied to Blenko by Big Two Mile. Blenko had no indication that such a step might be taken. Big Two Mile had done the same thing just over two years ago, and nearly caused Blenko to collapse at that time. Following that earlier episode, Blenko representatives met with representatives of Big Two Mile and proposed that the companies enter into mediation in an effort to resolve the problem between them. Charles Jones, a respected lawyer in Charleston, was selected as the mediator with the consent of Big Two Mile and Blenko Glass. A number of meetings have taken place since then. At each of those meetings the Blenko representative stated the condition of the company which is that it has had difficulties during the economic downturn over the last two years.

Blenko is disappointed that instead of pursuing the mediation process, Big Two Mile elected to garnish Blenko's bank account without any notice and without Blenko knowing that Big Two Mile would ignore or withdraw from the mediation process that the companies have been following for the last two years.

Blenko plans to continue to operate and hopes that with the general business upturn, it will be possible to restore the company to profitability in the coming months



For further information please contact: Katie Trippe, Vice President, at (304) 743-9081.

April 9th Auction

Estate Auction - Mountaineer Auction

This auction will include many items of Blenko and WV Glass.

See photo

Mountaineer Auction in Clendenin WVa.

Phone bids accepted.