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.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

What's Happening At Blenko?

Daily - perhaps ten times a day I'm ask " What 's happening at Blenko?
What's new a Blenko?"
The factory is on winter break. The glass workers will be returning very soon.
Blenko is alive, well and doing great.
In this time of economic trauma - small businesses are struggling, this is a time when your local business needs your help. Shop LOCAL
not just Blenko, shop your local hardware store, Mom and Pop resturants, and you'll discover the prices are NOT better at the big box stores.
What I appreciate most about buying local, is I have a person with whom I can interact - I can ask questions about the plant I purchased, or the light switch and receive appropriate information. Local business people know the products they sell.
What's happening at Blenko? Visit the factory and write to tell us.
theblenkoproject@aol.com

14 comments:

Dr.BOB said...

Hilary
I ask this frequently in email.
We ask because we care about Blenko and want only success for the factory and the workers.

Anonymous said...

This is very much like the WV Birthday # 3
minus the cobalt ring.
Lovely piece of glass.

Anonymous said...

TAKE OFF THE ROSE TINTED GLASSES
HILLARY
DEATH BED OR LIFE SUPPORT.
NICE PHOTO OF AVAILABLE GLASS, BUT HOW OLD IS THE PHOTO?

Anonymous said...

So what is happening at Blenko?
Any current Blenko employees reading?
Geoff

Anonymous said...

Geoff
I heard they were ask to refrain from commenting on this blog.
A direct order from on high.
Heard this from a shipping employee.
B. T.

Anonymous said...

ye they gotta be careful make katie = lose your job

Anonymous said...

To answer the question 'any current Blenko employees reading'...yes, I am. We were not asked to refrain from comment, but with so much negativity, who would want to bother. A lot of ugly people on this blog.

Anonymous said...

Most of the people who read and comment like Blenko and the employees otherwise we would not be spending upward of 2K a month to buy Blenko for a beginning collection.
However, the Visitors Center isn't a welcoming place.
Only one cashier and many people trying to check out.
No one who can answer questions or take an order of Blenko not in the shop.
Frustration from people who purchase is high.
I thank you Hillary for allowing us to comment and with luck things will change for the better at Blenko
Maggie.

Anonymous said...

stupid and clueless
OH yes I've heard this used often to describe you!
Pretending to be an hourly employee are we??

penny said...

Maggie
Hillary isn't paid or given glass. I ask this question in 2007. When she talks about the 2011 Blenko line its without new glass. When I ask why? She said she couldn't afford to purchase.
70% of the comments on this blog are positive,
All hilary's post are pro Blenko.
Blenko does not appreciate individuals who promote their glass - I saw Tammie Kosla work extremely hard with little co operation from Blenko. Hillary is doing the same. TK burned out and at some point Hillary will also. Fenton, Homer Laughlin and others appreciate and promote volunteer efforts on their behalf.
I heard from a Blenko Project board member that the organization is changing to include all WV Glass
manufactures ( past - present) when this happens I doubt Blenko will be featured in this blog.
My concern is for the many men and women who have a life time invested in Blenko. Their skills are not transferrable. I support BLenko Glass because it is made in WV. I like the Blenko name.
To the person who suggest the name change to Trippe? Would you have changed the name to Weekly? Many others have done the work Tripp is doing now - and others will follow her - when she too is not the favor of the month. Don't focus on
people who are disposable. Focus on the workers and keeping them working. To do this buy Blenko.
New Blenko from the factory. Purchasing
Vintage Blenko does NOT help the factory. So if your 2k is old glass you are doing nothing for current Blenko.
Hilary thank you for letting me rambling and get this off my chest.
Focus on the men! The families who made up BLenko. Not the current management.

penny said...

are you allowing comments?

susan said...

so if we do BLenko
its cool!
Penny
I lost faith in Blenko when they fired Richard /Rick Blenko.
Many others feel the same.
Rick Blenko promoted Blenko GLass and WV his entire life.
Dave Osburn worked non stop for Blenko. The Powers family also.

Anonymous said...

Maggie, once again, Blenko is on winter break, which means the staff is short. If you want to order first quality, call the office. If you don't see it in the VC, it isn't there and it can't magically be pulled out of the air. Seconds are sold in the VC. They don't strive to make seconds in the factory. Most people really enjoy the VC and the people who work there. Maybe you should check your attitude.
As far as Richard and Dave go...if you knew the facts you probably wouldn't say that. Ignorance breeds ignorance.

Anonymous said...

PENNY I DO ALL CAPS SO I CAN DO THE CAP BL
TO DENOTE I BELONG.
LOOKS LIKE I MADE SOMEONE ANGRY, AND NOW IM LABELED MEAN NASTY AND UGLY. NO MENTION OF
IGNORANT AND CLUELESS. THESE ADJ ARE SAVED FOR OTHERS
HILLARY I APOLOGIZE IF I OFFENDED YOU. I BUY A GREAT AMOUNT OF BLENKO NEW - TWICE A MONTH - AND OLD DAILY ON EBAY AND LOCAL.
I LIKE BLENKO. THE CURRENT SITUATION SADDENS ME. PERHAPS WHEN NEW MANAGEMENT ARRIVES THINGS WILL IMPROVE.
AT SOME POINT CHAPTER 13 ENDS RIGHT?
MOUNTAIN RITA
WHERE DOES A GENERAL GO WHEN THERE IS NO WAR? REMEMBER THIS SONG? YES THAT WAS NOT NICE.