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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.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Blenko Glass Company - Milton, WVa.

NO!  These are not Williamsburg designs or even Blenko Glass.
This is the work of Vivek,  an post doc scholar at Penn State University who like most of us loves glass.
Vivek has taken his love of glass to the next level,  he now attends a glass making workshop and also goes weekly with a glass partner to try new things.
Several years ago my Dad and I did the full day at Blenko Glass attempting to make glass - the two of us made ( with a great deal of help from Randy Rider) three pieces.
From this experience I became more aware of the skill each member of the team needs - and I realized whatever the cost...the handcrafted excellent products from Blenko are worth what ever the asking price.
Glass is a difficult medium.   My admiration of glassworkers is a big part of why we do the Blog.
Blenko Glass is unique.   It is made in West Virginia,  it is made by family men - men who hunt, fish, coach soft ball, bowl.  Men who are involved in our communities.  .
When you support ( by buying new glass) Blenko Glass you enrich our community and our State.
Be proud to gift Made In West Virginia items and most especially Blenko Glass.
    If like Vivek,  you want to make glass -   Blenko offers courses each year,  Check out the www.blenkoglass.com website.
     Thank you for reading.  Thank you for your comments and even your criticism.  Both Vivek and I work full time.  The blog and the website are all volunteer activities. 
Should you have time to volunteer we welcome you.
theblenkoproject@aol.com.


#### Update from Vivek ####

Here is photo of progression of wine glasses. It took 4 weeks, 1.5 hours a week as gaffer to get to this stage. The first 3 are from week 2 and 3, and last one is from week 4. If you like to improve your glass skills, you should take/register for classes as often as possible.

Week 1, made nothing, goblet cracked and feet kept falling.
Week 2, made the ones where foot fell off.
Week 3, shortened the stem, and got heat/flash right for the foot.
Week 4, the wine glass with longer stem.

I will start stretching stem more, and make glass bigger in up coming weeks.






5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoy seeing the trails - errors - and success of Vivek
in glass.
I will send you photos of the two items I made last Festival of Glass. Not Good! Describes my attempt.
Alice H.
Vivek if you start to sell, keep us in the loop.

Anonymous said...

Setting the feet, is difficult.
Not many of us at Blenko have mastered this skill.
BE

Anonymous said...

IMPROVEMENT!
IF THE ENGINEERING GET BORING YOU HAVE A FUTURE AT CORNING.

Anonymous said...

Visible Progression

Anonymous said...

Thanks, many people asked for this, so am finally considering making glass for others. However, I get just 1.5 hours a week in studio, so will have to plan accordingly.
Regards,
V