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, June 30, 2015

Blenko Catalogs

Blenko Catalogs are the very best way to identify your vintage Blenko Glass
www.blenkoproject.org  has a link to all Blenko Glass Company Catalogs.

These catalogs ( reproductions) are sold on line for less than $15 per catalog.  Catalogs may also be obtained through the W.Va Museum of Glass in Weston, W.Va.

Should you not be able to find your particular glass treasure in these catalogs,  you may send a photo of the object  along with measurements to  Theblenkoproject@aol.com  The Blenko Project - we are running about 6 weeks behind in identification as many of our volunteers have children and grandkids they are responsible for during the summer months.

Thank you for collecting BLENKO GLASS.  Visit the Blenko Glass website weekly for special offers and also the Blenko Collectors are now on Facebook.

Thank you
HJH

Sunday, June 21, 2015


Readers - Were you able to get a WV Birthday piece, Happy Afterhours vase or Moonshine jug?

If so, please share your experience and photos!
NOTE:  We're having an issue with blog uploads
I'll publish your photos in August when we know its working at 100%.
Please continue to send photos of the event and your pieces.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Blenko Limited Edition Moonshine Jug

For those of you who can't make it to Milton, there is a special edition piece being sold at the Capital Market in Charleston today - both in person and over the phone!

Friday, June 19, 2015

Birthday Peice on Sale tomorrow, 8am


The Visitor Center, located at 9 Bill Blenko Drive, Milton, will open 8 am tomorrow for the Birthday Piece Sale.  
Blenko is celebrating its 35th anniversary of creating the WV Birthday piece.
 This year’s birthday piece is called “Autumn Flame." This vase pays homage to the state’s trees.

The piece is limited to a quantity of 152 and will be sold for $152 plus tax. Each piece is hand signed by the designer Arlon Bayliss and Blenko President Walter Blenko, Jr.


Readers have reported there are already over 35 Blenko Die-Hards in Line!
Will you be there?

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

WV BIRTHDAY VASE / BLENKO GLASS

  Readers,
If you haven't made plans to visit Blenko for the WV Birthday Celebrations do so this day.
If you need info re: where to stay, what to wear, where to part the RV,
where to eat?
Email us we can help.
TheBlenkoProject@aol.com
You must be present and in line to receive a card that will allow you to purchase the vase.
Blenko Glass Company web site has all the info about this vase and also
other objects that will be sold during this weekend of celebration.
HJH
The lines for the Bday Vase are long...people start as early as Wednesday the day before....in the past as long as you arrive by 3am on Saturday you will be assured of receiving a vase. . . . each year the lines are longer.  Check with Blenko Glass to ask what they suggest.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

BLENKO GLASS COMPANY - WV Birthday Celebration - You are Welcome to Join In

We've been doing the Blenko Project and this blog for nearly ten  years.
We are grateful to many collectors for their help in the development and of the Blenko Project and assisting with this blog.

I am especially grateful to Dr Vivek Yadav ( Penn State University) and Bruce Specht of Texas for their daily contributions.  Bruce and his family own one of the finest Blenko Collections.  He frequently shares photos and his extensive knowledge of Blenko with blog readers.
Dr Yadav is a PHD engineer, a researcher, and recently added glass blower to his list of skills.  . 

Our sole goal is to promote West Virginia Glass most especially BLENKO GLASS.   I've been a big fan of Blenko for more than 20 years.
Most everyone who visit the Blenko Glass Factory - visits with the talented craftsmen become a fan.  We do not buy or sell glass.   We have real jobs not pertaining to glass or selling glass.  We do assist Blenko Collectors with rehoming their glass or finding a particular Blenko item.  We are not employed by Blenko and receive no compensation of any type for Blenko Project or this blog.

Blenko Glass Company  is unique, its small, its friendly, its responsive.

I have yet to ask a craftsperson or an office person for assistance without getting a response.

Blenko Glass and Blenko Collectors are approachable and friendly if you don't collect, or have been fearful to call yourself a collector.
Consider joining Blenko for the WV Birthday Celebration.  If you don't feel like standing in line - - do what my Mom does ( she's over 65) go for the Friday Night Vase - its less expensive and you walk in and pick it 
up ...continue to shop while you are there.  Often time Mr Walter or Mr. Bill or Mr Andy Blenko will be there on Friday and Saturday to sign your glass.
I know the experts say signed glass isn't more value ............BUT....I'd rather have my glass signed. " It helps with the 'estate sale' later in life  "is a quote from Blenko Collector from Conn  Margie.

Every year the WV Birthday Vase is special and we all stand in long lines to purchase ....however since Arlon Bayliss began designing this vase.  It is UNIQUE and their is a story accompanying the vase.  Arlon Bayliss understands how important this item is to the Blenko Collector.
Acquiring the whole collection shouldn't be goal....its nearly impossible at this point.  We are now counting ten whole collections.
But  a goal could be owning all the vases designed by Bayliss - start now and add to your personal collection yearly.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Blenko - WVa Birthday Celebration - June 20th

This tradition began with a shared taxi in NYC.  
 
A Handmade Piece of History







West Virginia's 152nd Birthday
WV Day Celebration Piece
Autumn Flame
$152.00 each plus tax. Approx.. (12 1/4") High
Designer Quote - This year Blenko's WV birthday piece, pays homage to the states trees. "Their leaves in Spring and Summer refresh our air, and in the fall their parting gift is a dazzling blaze of color. They were here long before we were; and if we take care of them they will remain to shade and shelter long after we are gone". 

Available for Sale
 8am Saturday, June 20, 2015
Only 152 Available for Purchase! Signed and Numbered byDesigner Arlon Bayliss and Walter Blenko.
One per person. Must be present at our Visitor Center to purchase.
No Advance Orders, No Phone Orders. No exceptions.
Excluded from discounts and coupons.
Special gift shop hours 8 am to 5pm.


West Virginia Day Companion Pieces
Summer Shade and Spring At Last
 Two Companions to this years WV birthday vase were designed by Arlon Bayliss to continue homage to trees, a precious state resource. This pair of flattened, leaf shaped bottles represent foliage in summer and spring. 

SUMMER SHADE   is wonderfully blown in Desert Green
$55.00 9 3/4" High


The companion pieces will be available for purchase on Friday, June 19, at our Happy After Hours sale from 7pm to 9pm at our Visitor Center during the sale we will be offering 15% off your entire purchase during the special sale hours. Signing event with Arlon Bayliss and Walter Blenko. 



SPRING AT LAST is wonderfully blown in our new color Mountain Spring $55.00 9 3/4" High  
 




To order online
For our customers that can't make it to us we will be offering the companion pieces online starting on Saturday, June 20, at 12pm EST


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Husted flame stoppered decanters-"big brother has arrived"

Husted flame stoppered decanters-"big brother has arrived"

 On the left is a Blenko Turquoise 6122S with it's Big Brother the Blenko 6122M in Amethyst. I located the Amethyst on Ebay and was able to clean it up after it arrived in a pretty dirty state. I really enjoy the elongated stoppers that  distinguish this design of Husted.

 Hope you enjoy too.
Bruce

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Reader Has 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 and other WV Bday Vases for Sale

Hello.
Hillery I have about 20 WV Birthday Vases I need to sell.
My gmom was a collector she didn't go every year but she did have the first five and many others.
I'd like to have 1500$ for 80, 81, and $1000 for 82 - 85.  The others I'd like 500 to 850 for each piece, she has all the Bayliss pieces and many from the 90s . 
I'll try to send photos.
If there are collectors who wish to purchase I would like to know.
Do you think these prices are too high?  My gmom had written on a note that she turned down $1500 for 80 and and later turned down 1500 for 81
but perhaps prices have dropped?
Anna

Dear Anna,
   The value of glass / Blenko is determined by what the purchaser is willing to pay.  I have direct knowledge of a 1980 selling for $1650 in 1999.   We don't buy and sell glass at the www.blenkoproject.org  we do assist often readers and collectors with completing their collections by
connecting buyer with seller.
    Rehoming Blenko you no longer want or use is a good thing!
Please send photos and I'll post them here and forward you response from any interested person.
    Good Luck!   We have collectors needing 90 91 and 81 immediately.  I'll post this on the blog and forward you any email contacts.  Did your g-mom collect other WV Glass?
Hillary 
 
 
 


Sunday, June 07, 2015

Husted Turquoise flame stoppered decanters

Husted Turquoise flame stoppered decanters

LArge grouping of Husted designed Flame Stoppered decanters. from the left is the Blenko #6310, Blenko #6122S, Blenko #6112, Blenko #627S, and Blenko # 627L. This is one of Shelley's favorite photos that I have taken to date.

Bruce S

Friday, June 05, 2015

Myers and Husted ground top vases

Myers and Husted ground top vases

 These two pieces have come home in the past several months from local dealers here in Weatherford, TX. and Oklahoma City, OK.  Shelley and I stumbled upon the Myers vase in OK but I wasn't sure of the identification on the piece until we returned home. I didn't buy it at the time and Shelley went out of her way to contact the dealer later and arrange the purchase and shipping. I was completely surprised to open a package on my birthday with this beauty inside. The Jonquil Husted design came from a dealer who I ended up purchasing another Myers designed vase from as well. On the left is the Myers designed Blenko #6923 in Tangerine and the Jonquil piece is a Husted designed Blenko #6317.

 Hope your readers enjoy too.
Bruce S

Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Predesigner Ruffle Vase from Bruce

Predesigner Ruffle Vase

As you are well aware by now I really enjoy finding the older designs of Blenko such as these examples of Predesigner vases. From the left is the Blenko #388 Footed ruffle vase in Lemon, Blenko #389 Ruffle topped vase in Ruby, and the Blenko #390 vase in Turquoise. I have several examples of the 388's and 390's but this is only the second #389 I have been able to locate and purchase. Ruby is always plus for any Blenko that I can find.

 Hope this will help your readers find one for their collections as well.

> Bruce Specht

Monday, June 01, 2015

Blenko Loves Blenko

This is the season for weddings!   If you haven't considered Blenko Glass,  go to the www.blenkoglass.com web pages and start to search for the ideal wedding gift.
To make this and most any BLENKO GLASS Company item even more special consider engraving your Blenko.
Blenko Glass can arrange to have this done for you, or you may contact ' A Touch of Glass  www.westvirginiaglass.com.   These ladies know glass and they are the best engravers in our area.
    Over the years I've had a dozen or more wedding gifts engraved. 
Blenko Glass has a gift for everyone and for every occasion.
     The ladies of Blenko headed by Christy Gibson consider customers as friends,  you'll be surprised at the attention your orders receive.
      HJH 
Some Brides enjoy receiving vases in their wedding colors!  Blenko has a wide variety of colors. 

To learn more about Blenko Glass Company located in Milton, WVa  visit the non profit site of The Blenko Project www.blenkoproject.org