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.

Monday, April 29, 2013

"Glass India" video


This from our blogger friend T.Patti

Remarkable, fascinating, 28 minute video, recorded during 1991 in Firozabad India, by Norman Faulkner (of Canada)

 
Video documentation of glass manufacturing in India, with unique footage of glass factories in Firozobad. Factories visited include OM Glass Factory, Ceeraj Glassworks Ltd., and Prince Glass Ltd. Workers (including young boys) are seen making bangles, vases, headlights (lamps) for automobiles, and other tableware items. Of special note are the workers who toss the blowpipes to each other, the use of a mandrel for making bangles, and the use of a side lever press for making tableware and headlights.

Filmed in the glass factories of Firozabad, India.
Narrator, Norman Faulkner.
Production assistant, Marie DeRoy.
Title from title frame.

This same title is available on VHS , produced in 1991, which is 40 minutes in length. Per Norman Faulkner, they are the same, except that the 2004 release [which is what is on YouTube] has been edited.

http://www.cmog.org/library/glass-india-videorecording-norman-faulkner-producer#.UQVLLb_C3iU

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Blenko vase


Subject: Blenko vase

can you help to identify and label the vase?

Friday, April 26, 2013

Reminder Slow Art Day in Weston Tomorrow


Weston, WV – Slow Down, Look Deeply, Enjoy, Discover. That might be the hummed prayer for thousands around the world as they join a world wide event on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 11am to 2pm. The event, in its fourth year, asks people all over the globe to visit local museums and art galleries to look at art slowly. Participants are asked to look at five works of art for ten minutes each and then meet together over lunch to talk about their experience.

For More Information Visit www.slowartday.com


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://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

http://www.birthday.wv.gov/events West Virginia Birthday Events

http://www.birthday.wv.gov/events/Pages/default.aspx

This year on June 20th West Virginia will be 150 years old!   As Blenko Collectors we  often spend June 20th purchasing a Blenko Birthday Vase.

This year many cities in West Virginia are hosting events.  Four days of events to celebrate the 150th birthday.

The State of West Virginia has established a website with information pertaining to Birthday Celebration!

  

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Readers Q - Answered


Answer from :  Blenko Project Volunteer(s).

This appears to be a Blenko #7229 in either the large version at 14 1/2" tall ($80.-100.) or the smaller version at 12" tall ($60.-80.). The color appears to be Blenko's Olive Green with the crackle finish. Even though the design number would be a '72 design the canister does not appear until the '74 catalog in the Leslie Pina reference book I have and the design disappears before the '77 catalog pages. Olive Green is the more common color and would be on the lower value side versus one in  Emerald Green or Pine. Looks interesting and I hope this has been of help in appreciating what your family is enjoying.




    Hello,
    I am trying to help a good friend ID a piece of presumably Blenko  crinkle glass that I believe is from at least the 40's. I do not have a tremendous amount of info, and the vase is in Texas. Please find attached the picture I recieved. I does not seam to any be any larger than 12-14". I am a collector of Pilgrim glass myself, but have dappled in Blenko, especially the crinkle variety. If you can give me an approximate time frame, and possible a guesstimate on value it would be greatly appreciated by our good friends in Texas. I know it is a sort of family heirloom that has been passed down at least a few generations. Any help you might be able to give or direct me in would make a few Texans very happy.
    
    Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
    
    
    
    Sincerly and a big fan,
    
    J J

Refer to: blenkoproject.org for more blenko project info

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Garden Festival

Pre-designer handled vases. 365 days of Blenko








Blenko # 490-S in Turquoise, Sea Green , and Amethyst (8 1/2")




Photos by Bruce Specht



www.blenkoglass.com   and www.blenkoproject.org  to learn more about Blenko and WVa Glass. 


Friday, April 19, 2013




The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!

Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission
A Program of Saturdays On The Square ~
Co-sponsored by the
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
Ann Fissel: 304-628-3445
18TH ANNUAL WEST VIRGINIA
MARBLE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
Community Building ~ Cairo, WV

Adjacent to Town Square
The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission
Explore our town, and be sure to see the
historic old Bank of Cairo exhibits!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

April 27, 2013 from 11am to 2pm Weston, WV


Slow Art Day

 

Weston, WV – Slow Down, Look Deeply, Enjoy, Discover. That might be the hummed prayer for thousands around the world as they join a world wide event on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 11am to 2pm. The event, in its fourth year, asks people all over the globe to visit local museums and art galleries to look at art slowly. Participants are asked to look at five works of art for ten minutes each and then meet together over lunch to talk about their experience.

 

Sounds simple. It is. Organized by a pool of global volunteers who work with local volunteers the idea is spreading and will be practiced from Australia to Canada and well over one hundred points in between. One of those points is Weston, W.V. at the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia on Main Ave.

 

Our world always seems to be hurrying. It is little different when it comes to seeing art or enjoying it. The Louvre discovered some years ago that visitors look at the Mona Lisa, perhaps the world’s most iconic artwork, for just 15 seconds on average. In an age of moving images, fast paced entertainments and almost endless stimulation works of art in a more traditional media often are just “grazed” over, with a quick glance. Slow Art Day aspires to change that practice just a little, with hope of evoking trends of seeing not simply looking. The plan is a series of well orchestrated opportunities to take a long look at art.  Slow Art Day is the global all-volunteer event with a simple mission: help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art.

 

Why Slow? When people look slowly at a piece of art they make discoveries.  The most important discovery they make is that they can see and experience art without an expert (or expertise). And that’s an exciting discovery. It unlocks passion and creativity and helps to create more art fans. At Slow Art Day, we like to believe that we are in the business of making more art fans – by helping people discover their own ability to look at and love art. Age, educational background or other becomes unimportant when the pace is slowed, the looking is intentional, and the shared discussion is about discovery.

 

Five glass art objects will be removed from their display cases and put on a table, Close inspection will be encouraged. The objects range from a contemporary young artist’ glass work from in Hawaii to internationally acclaimed contemporary glass artists. Five diverse objects will be featured. After the hour of viewing the group will reconvene to share a lunch and discuss the experience. Lunch is the responsibility of the individual but participation with or without partaking in the food is welcomed. Go to www.slowartday.com and click on participate, find the Weston event and register yourself. Join others at the 240 plus locations around the world in looking and seeing.

 

That’s it. Simple by design, the goal is to focus on the art and the art of seeing. In fact, Slow Art Day works best when people look at the art on their own slowly and then meet up to discuss the experience.

 

Questions? Call the Museum of American Glass at 304.269.5006

 

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://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

Black Glass

Yes.  Blenko did produce Ebony glass.   Many West Virginia Glass makers had ebony in their lines.
May I suggest you visit the American Glass Museum located in Weston - formerly the WV Glass Museum.
From your Clarksburg location it's a less than 30 minute drive.   There you'll find books with all the Ebony Glass made in West Virginia.  HJH
Blenko Ebony

Monday, April 15, 2013

Readers - can you ID this glass?


Hello,

I am trying to identify a Blenko tangerine inverted dot optic pattern decanter with round stopper #6915. As it is hard to see the images clearly in the online catalog, it was difficult to determine that the decanter we have is the same as the image in the catalog as it shows a blue not tangerine decanter.
 
Also, as you can see in the attached photos, I have another decanter #C37, which I did identify in the 1970 Blenko catalog. We are considering selling these decanters, but I have not found either of these decanters for sale on any web sites (ex: eBay) to get any idea on pricing. Do you have suggestions where I might look if we decide we want to sell them?

Thank you,

S

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Spring Is Here!

 Hilary   I'm attaching a photo of glass by don shepard (crystal my favorite)  and a photo of you (from local magazine).
Crystal glass - Blenko crystal is best in Spring.  I use it for all the flowers from my garden, and also to serve foods.  
My all time favorite blenko color is peacock.  I have everything Blenko made in peacock.  I wish they would bring it back.  Will you publish this and also ask Blenko to again make peacock.
Betty Sue Scott



Saturday, April 13, 2013

1950s Blenko Glasses for Sale




I believe these sets are from 1939-1950, although I am not sure.   These belonged to the estate of my late Step Grandfather.  My family and I have no attachment to them and would like to try to sell to someone who would appreciate them.


 ~A

Thursday, April 11, 2013

A Good Tooth . . . .

In  1923  John Rockefeller is to have said " a good tooth is worth its weight in fine diamonds."

In 1923  only the rich had access to quality dentist and doctors,  and teeth were not always valued by the middle and lower class.

I wish I could say everything has drastically changed.  It has not.   While affordable and often free dental services are available.  Attitudes about oral health have been slow to change, I'm happy to report in West Virginia   the publics desire to ' keep their teeth a life time'  is  slowly improving.

Among my circle of friends,  there seems to be an effort to purchase close to the source - food from
farmers,  clothing made IN USA - which I might say is more and more difficult.  
We are buying furniture that was either handcrafted locally or was made of quality wood or steel by a USA maker.

Blenko Glass is made in the USA.  Made in Milton, WVa ,  made daily by local craftsmen.
If you haven't tried Blenko Glass - go on line to the www.blenkoglass.com   website or visit the gift shop in Milton, WVa.  A list of shops carrying Blenko may be found on the Blenko Glass .   Check out the Blenko Project website to learn more about Blenko Glass.  www.blenkoproject.org
Ms.  B  and Mordi using Fiestaware for outdoor dining.  Fiestaware is made in West Virginia by Homer Laughlin China.
.


Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Blenko Glass 1937

Blenko Glass   1937.       All Blenko Glass catalogs are now online at the www.blenkoproject.org  web pages.   The Blenko Project is a non profit group devoted to Blenko Collecting, Archival of Blenko history, and to promote WVa and Blenko Glass.    If  can't identify your glass at The Blenko Project  send an email to theblenkoproject@aol.com  and we'll ask our volunteers to help with the identification.   There is no fee for services provided by The Blenko Project.   We ask only that you label appropriately any photos you take from the site,  that you ask for permission before you reprint as the Project is copyrighted.  

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Bookends - Can we Identify?




Hi there,
We recently acquired a pair of glass bookends (see attached) and are wondering whether they might be Blenko pieces?
If so, any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

A




A.
We will post the photos and ask our readers to comment.  This is a book end I have not seen.
HJH

Saturday, April 06, 2013

18th Annual Marble Festival - Cairo, WV - Saturday May 4, 2013

 
The 18th Annual West Virginia Marble Festival is set for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Community Building in Cairo, West Virginia. The location is adjacent to the town square in the town which is the historic home of three marble manufacturers. The festival is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include the sale of antique and contemporary marbles, exhibits, marble identification, books and more. Food is available on site and both admission and parking are free.
For those interested in selling or just displaying, set up is free and begins at 8 a.m. For those arriving Friday evening, the Community Building will be open 6 to 8 p.m. for marble chat, networking and informal mixing.
The town of Cairo is interesting to explore and an added attraction is the historic old Bank of Cairo exhibits.
The festival is part of “A Program of Saturdays on the Square” co-sponsored by the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. For further information contact Ann Fissel at 304-628-3445.
 
 
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://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.


Thursday, April 04, 2013

Glass in WV event - Sat April 6th


Wellsburg 200th anniversary of Glass in WV event info -
Sat April 6th
The year was 1813 and glass began being produced in Wellsburg (then
Charlestown, Va.). This year marks the 200th anniversary of that important
and the birth of an industry that helped define West Virginia in intervening
two centuries.
Isaac Taylor Duval and Company began production in Wellsburg at a site near
the more recent Brooke/Crescent site and made a high grade of cut glass
tableware. The firm was sold in 1838. The Museum of American Glass in West
Virginia, located in Weston, is partnering with a number of institutions
across West Virginia to celebrate this historic benchmark. The year long
celebration of the birth of glass making in the Mountain State begins April
6th at the Brooke County Historical Museum and Culture Center at 704 Charles
Street, Wellsburg.  The museum has a room devoted to glass made in the
Wellsburg community.
Mr. George Leonard, the great, great, great grandson of Isaac T. Duval was
kind enough to loan us several pieces of Duval glass that are a part of his
collection, along with other family memorabilia which shall be on display,"
said Ruby Greathouse, curator of the Brooke County organization. This offers
an uncommon opportunity for students of West Virginia glass to see examples
of the early ware that descended in the family and have a strong provenance
of Duval manufacture.  Dozens of other Wellsburg glass products from many of
the 39 city glass producers are on display as well.
Representatives from the Museum of American Glass will be on hand to address
questions about glass history, identification and offer information noted
Dean Six, executive director of the glass museum.
The Brooke County Open House and related programming will begin at
10:00 am on Saturday April 6 and include refreshments, a program and an
opportunity to chat about the cities and states rich glass heritage.
Admission is free.
questions may be directed to the Museum at 304. 737. 4060.

Husted and miniature


As promised, here is another blenko glass photo from Bruce.

##


HI Hillary,

Just consider this my Chihuahua / Great Dane picture for Blenko. I ran across both of these and managed to snag both for $20 each. Yes I know the stopper is the wrong color but I have always liked that on occasion you can get by with a different color. In this case I had found the stopper a long time ago in a small antique mall in Denton Texas and had just put it aside hoping one day to find a body. Eventually I may but Charcoal is a little hard to find. For now I can enjoy it until I either find a Turquoise stopper or a Charcoal body. The Ruby piece is a Blenko miniature Blenko #3516 G (4 1/2").

Hope you enjoy,

Bruce Specht


Tuesday, April 02, 2013

COVET


COVET -  Yearn to possess or have (something).  I don't desire to own the big or expensive Blenko items.  My desire is simple.
My collection of Blenko is small.   Made up primarily of glass made for me by retired or current employees at Blenko.  I also own several items made by glassworkers from other small independent glass shops.
There are several Blenko catalog items I covet -  1)The Blenko Pineapple  ( my parents own one or more of every piece of fruit / veggie Blenko made except the Pineapple.  Other than in photos, we have never seen the Blenko pineapple.   The pineapple is a coveted item in our home.  2) The Blenko Ram heads are also items I would want to own.  We did see the Rams Head in 2008 -  A Blenko collector from Montgomery acquired one.  
For many years we've searched for the Blenko Pineapple  ( older version) and a set of Blenko Ram heads.
Note:  Photo from the  Blenko Glass collection belonging to Robert Stock