Blenko Glass. Heart of Glass Blog. Changes at Blenko

"  To improve is to change,  to be perfect is to change often."   Winston Churchill 


Hillery,
 You don't seem to write about the changes at Blenko.  Each time I come for a festival or event it seems there are changes.  Old  long time people leaving and new people, or changes to everything.
Can you start to write about the factory.  Who is in charge now and what is the future looking like?
Sam Tyree

Sam,
  We haven't heard from you in a good while.  I trust everything is good with your parents.  
Blenko continues to evolve and grow.  Most of the results of the changes are good.   Most folks dislike change of any kind.
I think this is very common, the fear or dislike of change.
    You are correct - its been a long time since I focused on the factory workers.   Truth be told, its been a good while since I've been to Blenko.   This week  I did ask several of the volunteers if they would collect photos of the factory workers and forward any information they picked up.
     What I do know is Blenko is alive, and well, and needs all of us promote the Hand Crafted Made In USA Glass they make.    I believe the  most important changes happened less than  2 years ago when Mr. Walter Blenko CEO recruited Dean Six and Ron Hinkle to take charge of the day to day operation of Blenko Glass.  *
Dean Six  who is considered by most to be one of the most prominent experts on American glass.
He has written books on the topic.   ( look for a post about Dean Six in Sept).

Over 520 beautiful color photographs display the fine quality, distinctive, handmade, modern glassware produced by the Viking Glass Company of New Martinsville, West Virginia, from 1944 to 1970. Viking animals, baskets, candelabras, novelties, smoking items, tablewares, and vases are shown in various patterns, cuttings, etchings, and other decorations, including Banford, Burlap, Crackle, Encore, Meadow Wreath, Three Foils, and Viking Star. Thorough listings of the Viking product lines, from Ancestral to Tundra, are accompanied by a company history, an extensive bibliography, index, and current market values. This book is a must for everyone with an appreciation for fine quality glassware.
Dean Six as we mentioned is the author or contributor for more than a dozen books about American Glass.   The avid collector will want to purchase all the Dean Six books for their reference library.


Ron Hinkle came on about the same time .You probably know and have purchased Ron Hinkle Glass.   He is known nation wide for his exquisite glass creations.
Hinkle had a long history of working in Glass Factories prior to his 10+ years as a successful entrepreneur  with DYING ART GLASS.
  * Ron Hinkle  in May of this year returned to his studio.   If you don't yet own Hinkle Glass,  please view his website.  Ron Hinkle is a West Virginia Treasure.   His glass work is reasonably priced and has a long history of increasing in after market price.   Below is a link for Ron Hinkle Glass.   

Ron Hinkle Glass

Address: Sago Road, Buckhannon WV 26201

Website: http://www.ronhinkleglass.com

Phone: 304.472.7963

Description: Discover history and be entertained at the same time.  Hand crafted glass comes to life through the use of variety of tools in the hands of master craftsman Ron Hinkle.  Techniques have been handed down for centuries from master craftsmen from around the world.
Factory Tours and Demonstrations are given Monday - Friday from 9 AM until 3 PM. You may also visit the Gallery and Studio Monday - Friday from 9 AM until 5 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM - 2 PM.