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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.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Capitol Market Exclusive Blenko Bud Vases

Capitol Market Exclusive Blenko Bud Vases 



 On Oct. 8, Capitol Market will hold its annual Market Mixer fundraiser. 
In addition to enjoying live music, food and wine, attendees will have the opportunity to buy Blenko Glass bud vases made special for the market. 
Two bud vases from Blenko Glass Company will be available for purchase at this year’s mixer for $150 a pair or $85 apiece.
Tickets to the fall mixer at Capitol Market are available at the market offices for $65.
visit http://www.capitolmarket.net/ or call 304-344-1905 for more information. 

Saturday, August 22, 2015

New Pumpkins for 2015

Blenko is currently taking pre-orders for their beautiful new line of PUMPKINS


You can order at: http://shop.blenko.com/Fall-Items_c35.htm

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Blenko Glass Company. Tours?

Hillary,
Quick question - Is Blenko doing tours now?  If so are they self guided?
I came last year and brought the children - but expected a guide.
Pat Nelson
Pat,  Thank you for visiting Blenko.  Most everyone in West Virginia considers Blenko Glass to be one of the finest places to take out of town guest. 
I am going to cut and paste info - re: Blenko Tours.  However,  I would suggest you phone 304 743 9081 and speak to 'Christy'  she  has been with Blenko for a couple decades and is usually a always correct source of info.
Good Luck!  Please return often.
            Blenko Glass Company, Inc.
Fairgrounds Road, Milton, WV   25541

Description
Join the thousands who visit the Blenko Glass Company and its Visitor Center. In a most interesting manner you will gain a general understanding of the making of handblown glassware. You will be entranced with the first floor's factory outlet area and its many examples of the craftsman's art. On the second floor you will see the Designer's corner, where nine leading American stained glass studios have each contributed for display, a beautiful exhibit of their artistry as practiced today.

Also, a museum containing a Country Music Award trophy, Presidential Gifts, U.S. Capitol lighting globes, and original Williamsburg® stemware. From a special observation deck you can look into a large area inside the plant and watch molten glass take its final form.

Blenko has always had a magnet-like attraction for people. Singly, in small groups, or by the bus load, visitors have come even from the far places of the world to watch while skilled craftsmen make beautiful, translucent glassware.

Now from a special observation deck, visitors can observe the various steps in handcrafting glass; the furnace where silica sand, combined with other materials, is fused under intense heat; the gatherer who takes from this mass a small amount or "gob" of glass which he delivers to a blower, who blows the gob into a form, or shape, using tools similar to those of centuries ago. When the blower has re-heated the piece he has shaped, it is passed on to a finisher who does whatever is necessary for completion - adding handles, rings, etc.

Next, each piece is placed into an annealing lehr or oven, wherein, over a period of many hours gradual cooling to room temperature takes place. The skill of Blenko's expert craftsman is acquired only after many years of experience. As a result of excellence Blenko ware has been shown in museums and cultural exhibitions throughout the world, and has received numerous awards. Leading gift shops and department stores in America, as well as abroad, have sold Blenko for many years. It is in demand everywhere.

Please come and have a rewarding visit in our factory outlet store, or experience the practice of one of the most ancient of man's arts, producing contemporary designs in glassware, while you watch. All those who make up the Blenko Glass Company extend to you a cordial invitation to come (or come again as the case may be) and enjoy all there is for one to see, and learn about, in the Blenko Visitor Center, Milton, West Virginia.


Hours
Monday thru Friday 8a - 12p & 12:30p - 3:30p
* Note:  phone 304 743 8091 to confirm the tour is available prior to visit.                           


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Happy Birthday Day to Dr Yadav - Blenko Glass Collector

August 11, 2015 is the Birthday of Vivek Yadav.  Vivek is a PhD  Mechanical Engineer. A former Penn State Post Doc Research Scholar.  He is now a full time  faculty/ scientific researcher at a New York University.  He works in the field of neurology and biomechanics, where he develops math models to identify mechanisms involves in movement control, and the corresponding brain regions related to these mechanisms. Vivek obtained a grant from American Heart Association (AHA) in 2010 for this work.

Vivek has many hobbies including cooking,  hiking, mountain climbing, writing, photography and of course glass. He has collected Blenko and other American Glass  for over three years.   He now is a glass blower,  we often feature his work on the blog.  We've heard from readers that it inspired you to take the glasses offered at Blenko.  Vivek does not work for Blenko,  although he spends many hours each week monitoring blog comments and assisting readers with glass Identification.  Vivek has yet to visit Blenko Glass.  If you are a friend of his on Facebook, suggest a visit to Blenko!

Dr V  also maintains the www.blenkoproject.org  webpages.  He is solely responsible for making available  the entire Blenko Glass catalog collection a part of the Blenko Project website.

Dr V is a frequent contributor to the Heart of Glass Blog

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Blenko Glass Company Limited / Special Edition

This 9 1/4 inch tall vase is  #3015
we are showing it in clover, it is available in sea breeze, topaz, cobalt, red and turquoise.
This item is available at the Blenko Glass www.blenkoglass.com website.  You may purchase on line - there is a shipping fee.
The Blenko catalog describes this as a spiraling twist of color in motion. It will be produced June 2015 until May 2016.
  You'll want to add this one to your Blenko Glass collection.
To learn more about Blenko Glass view the Blenko Project webpages at www.blenkoproject.org.  
* Note:  Photo :  Blenko Glass 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Blenko Glass / Sheet Glass

Hillery,  I am not a glass collector but do use sheet glass.  My supplier told me some time ago Blenko Glass was unavailable.  Can you update me on the availability of Blenko sheet glass?
Thomas Chenot
Thomas,  For accurate information I recommend you write or phone Blenko Glass  - Bill Blenko Drive or PO Box 67 Milton, WVa 25541  Phone 304 743 9081.
A quick check of the www.blenkoglass.com webpages indicate Sheet Glass is available.  The price is $50 per sheet of Blenko Colors - the cost for red orange and yellow is slightly higher at $55 per ( 18x25 minimum sheet).
The historic wood mold antique sheet glass is available in clear only and cost $65 per pound.
Blenko Glass sells " scrap glass' in various sizes at $2 per pound.
Thank you for writing.
HJH

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

The Blenko Glass Leaf Vase

In 2015 Arlon Bayliss created a Leaf Vase for the WV Birthday Vase.
It was a vase that divided these collectors,  some loved this vase, others wanted more.
We loved the leaf vase,  my Dad and Uncles bought all three Leaf Vases.
   If you didn't participate in the WV Birthday Vase event - or if you participate and like my family you 'loved' the leaf vase.
Blenko is now offering ( not the Birthday Vase) but a smaller leaf vase in three beautiful colors.
    These are available on the www.blenkoglass.com  Blenko Glass webpages - you may order on line, by phone or drive to Blenko.
It's our belief that the "Leaf Vase" will become a special Blenko item.
    We're showing the leaf vase in Celery. 
Note:  photo from Blenko Glass.

Sunday, August 09, 2015

A " New" Blenko Glass Color

A new for 2015 Blenko Glass Color.
   The color is called Bermuda Blue.
I know many of you collect by color,  my friend Carolee collects only vintage rose,  Roxie a blog friend collects only Cobalt,  Susie collects
only ruby,  Thomas collects only the vintage yellows.
   It seems everyone loves the B L U E S!  and no one does 'color' like Blenko Glass  www.blenkoglass.com.
    You may visit the Blenko Glass website to view a complete selection of the items in this new color.
    It makes me think of the Atlantic Ocean - a very peaceful  Blue!
We hope you also like this new color,  and you'll add many items in the Bermuda Blue to your Blenko Glass Collection.
    If you aren't a member of the Blenko Glass Collectors on Facebook - you'll want to check out this group.
    To view a brief history of Blenko Glass Company,  we recommend The Blenko Project at www.blenkoproject.org.
    As always thank you for your continued interest in West Virginia Glass. 
Note:  Photo of the Heart Vase designed by Arlon Bayliss for Blenko.  The color is Bermuda Blue.  

Saturday, August 08, 2015

Happy Birthday to Blenko Glass Collector - Mrytle Beach and Charleston SC Skip Copley

Skip Copley is a South Carolina real estate  Sales person associated with Lennar Homes in the Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC area.  Skip loves WVa Glass ( almost as much as he love KY Basketball)  most especially he likes
the BLENKO GLASS.
His collection is not large - but he has some of the best examples of quality Blenko Glass.
Skip uses the Blenko fish and Blenko sun faces as yard décor in the lake home,  he uses the lamps and the B-day pieces in his myrtle beach house.

He reports using all of this Blenko Glass,  even the (ugh) ashtrays and lighters.
Happy Birthday Skip Copley   From Heart of Glass.

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Moonshine Jugs? Blenko Glass Company

In the 'new' for 2015  catalog is the Moonshine jug.

This item has been produced in various forms since the 80s - a jug was the Birthday Vase some time ago.

This year Blenko is offering the jugs in three sizes.

You'll want to purchase one or more for your Carbide friends who no longer live in W.Va.
These 'moonshine jugs' made a wonderful "Welcome to West Virginia" gift.

Monday, August 03, 2015

Birthdays? What to Give? Blenko Glass has the answer!

Blenko Glass Company located in Milton, W.Va  has been creating new and different art glass for almost 100 years.
   This year they are producing Blenko Glass ball ornaments for each
month - so IF like Vivek and I ,   your birthday is in August -or the birthday of a special someone in your life.
    Pictured here is the ornament for August!   You can come back each month to view the ornament of the month,  or you can access the Blenko Glass website www.blenkoglass.com and view all twelve.
    Three of my friends are expecting babies this fall - I will most definitely be sending the Blenko Glass ornament of the month to each!
    Another creative idea from Blenko Glass.  * note:  photo courtesy of Blenko Glass Company.

Sunday, August 02, 2015

Blenko Glass Company Has New ITEMS for 2015!

3515 Blenko Heart Vase -  similar to the WV Birthday Vase's hearts...

You'll want to purchase this item for the special persons in your life.

A forever heart! 
This is available in three colors and crystal.
Note:  Blenko Vases and the colors vary - no two are exactly the same.
Handcrafted means just this made by hand.

*  note:  we think the guys at Blenko produce the finest tangerine - the color intensity varies from item to item,  but its always lovely.