BOOMERS !

Tip #  414  The only consequence to  to more candles on the cake - is a hotter party!

Read the book - join the movement!

Vintage Blenko -  Yes!  Older can be Better! 

BOOMERS   was written by James T.  He and his wife Karen have owned  GOOD LIVING ( a series of retirement homes) since 1982.

Karen and James were in their late 20s  early 30s when they opened GOOD LIVING.   Karen a MSW- focused on Elderly  (social worker) and James ( a multi talented community organizer )  became involved in aging as young people.  Now both nearing or in the age ( 60) we  ( those of us under 30) consider to be OLD!   Karen and James are the final word on aging in West Virginia. 

I'm going to suggest if you are a Senior who collects glass,  you know a senior,  or like me - your parents are in the 60s  - purchase this book.

It is filled with practical ideas and good humor.

http://www.livewithaboom.blogspot.com/  
Book is available on Kindle.  http://www.amazon.com/Boomers-Hints-Generation-Refuses-ebook/dp/B00AWG9MBK/
Nice Article about James Thibeault  http://www.dailymail.com/News/201303140142
Phone 304 925 6568

Pre-designer Sky Blue vases. 365 days of Blenko

Blenko #438 Large Handled Urn in Sky Blue (11"), Blenko #375 Two-Handled Vase in Sky Blue (6"), Blenko #423-S Wild Rose Pattern Urn in Sky Blue Seed Glass (8")

Photos by Bruce Specht

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

Blenko annual warehouse sale!

The Blenko glass annual warehouse sale is from March 16th-30th at the Blenko Visitors Center!

Blenko Glass Company
P.O. Box 67
Milton, WV 25541

(877) 425-3656

Can we help this reader ID her blenko vase?

Hello Hillary,

I have attached two pictures one is of the vase itself and the other of the signature on the bottom where it appears the Blenko date stamp was removed. 
I have been told that this piece was a special piece done by Richard Blenko for PBS at the time and he signed it himself.
All I know is that the signatures I have seen do not look like the one on this vase and I just need to verify if my lovely vase
is a) Blenko glass and b) signed by Richard Blenko in 2001 in Detroit.

Thank you for your time and quick response,
Sincerely,
Jeanne Keen

Anticipation! Blenko Glass Warehouse Sale March 16th

Each month at my parents home - a box of fruit from Harry & David's arrives - - - - on about the 5th of every month,  I anticipate the delicious fruit.

This weekend is the beginning of the Annual Blenko Glass Warehouse Sale  - Milton, WVa.
If you are a seller of glass  -  this is a sale you have been waiting for with anticipation!  

What's available is a mystery - - - one of a kind items,  over runs,  2nds,  odd ball colors -  the prices are way below wholesale.  The warehouse is filled with glass.  

It's a great week to purchase Blenko!     Several of my friends buy glass during the sale   then use it for Xmas,  birthdays,  and other events.    It's nice to have a gift drawer -  so if and when you need something special  it's available and you didn't over spend.

Visit Blenko -  after March 16th  - visit the warehouse sale!    The gift shop will also be open during this time.

Check out Blenko Glass ( website)  for additional info and times.

Happy Shopping!
hjh

Fire & Ice -  Not an example of what's available -  Note:  We have not photos from the Warehouse Sale. 

Big fish

   This photo is from James and Yvonne  collectors who live in Culloden, WVa.

Blenko Glass Warehouse Sale

March 16th is the first day of the Blenko Glass Warehouse Sale.

UrbanGlass (Brooklyn, NY) seeks Studio Head Technician

UrbanGlass Studio seeks Head Technician

UrbanGlass is seeking a Studio Head Technician to organize and maintain a safe, efficient, and positive studio environment for renters and students.  The studio includes hot, cold, flame, neon, kiln, stained glass, and mold shops.

UrbanGlass is completing a full-scale renovation of the studio.  The Head Technician will have the chance to become a part of the UrbanGlass team during this exciting project.  The job will start before the studio reopens to the public, with installation of the renovated hot shop. Understanding of the equipment and studio will be first-hand and intimate.

Regular duties will include, but are not limited to:

·        Interact daily with the Director of Operations to plan and review activities.
·        Maintain, repair and/or fabricate tools and equipment to assure a safe, efficient and effective facility.
·        Manage a clean and organized studio.
·        Oversee the UrbanGlass Technical staff: preparing daily agendas and monthly work schedules; including daily cleaning, maintenance, and charging furnaces.
·        Support periodic gallery exhibition installation and removal, as well as in-house and outside events.
·        Communicate actively with studio renters and students; problem solving and scheduling to accommodate a stress free working studio environment.

It is preferred, but not required that the applicant have background in managing a glass studio.  Basic knowledge of machinery, hand tools, electrical and plumbing systems is beneficial.  The capacity to communicate effectively with co-workers and excellent customer service is a must.

This position will start as part-time temporary on May 1, 2013 during installation, with the opportunity to become full-time permanent when the studio re-opens in late Fall 2013.  Compensation will be based on previous experience and qualifications.

Please email your cover letter and resume indicating your interest and qualifications for the position to brian@urbanglass.org .  Please use the subject title, “UrbanGlass Studio Head Technician: Your Name” Applications should be received by March 27, 2013
__________

Prepare for St Patty Day - Green Glass

Isn't

everyone IRISH

for the month of March?  Blenko Annual Warehouse sale begins later this week -  perhaps you will find your special green glass during this sale!   


If you haven't bought your GREEN GLASS for March, The Time Is Now! Blenko Glass in Milton, WV has Green Glass! When you purchase glass in lieu of plastic or paper you are buying a family treasure. What special things happen in your life on St Patrick's Day?


This Green Top Hat is the center of my St Patrick's Day Theme. I fill it with hard candy, or flowers, or fruit during the month of March.
Start your own St. Patrick's Day tradition.


Below you will find info from Steve the webmaster about St Patricks' Day available on the web.
Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa 385–461 AD), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.

The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Montserrat. In Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the United States and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

It became a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding in the early part of the 17th century, and is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland. The feast day usually falls during Lent; if it falls on a Friday of Lent (unless it is Good Friday), the obligation to abstain from eating meat can be lifted by the local bishop. The date of the feast is occasionally, yet controversially, moved by church authorities when March 17 falls during Holy Week; this happened in 1940 when Saint Patrick's Day was observed on April 3 in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and happened again in 2008, having been observed on 15 March.

Blenko cards

Hello Hillary,
I ordered cards from Diane. They are beautiful. I wanted to frame the cards, so I requested her to sign the front of the cards, which she did. Diane is very nice and professional. I requested her to make a black card, and she did.
Below is picture of the set of 8 cards. I will send more pictures once I frame them.
Regards,
V

Glass Classes at Blenko on March 16th

March 16th During the Blenko Open House:
Make your own Easter Egg Class at 9:30am

• $35 per person
• Limited to 20 participants

Make your own Mini Water Bottle Class at 11:00am

• $65 per person
• Limited to 10 Participants

Stained Glass Panel Class at 9:30am

• $85 per person
• Limited to 5 participants

Mosaic Key Chain or Sun catcher Class at 10am

• $20 per person
• Limited to 20 participants

Please call (877) 425-3656 and ask for Tammy to register for classes. Deadline for registration is March 13th.

NEW DAY FOR BLENKO GLASS - March 5th

It's a new beginning for Blenko Glass  -  Blenko emerged from bankruptcy on March 5, 2013.

ID MY LAMP

Hillary  I own this lamp, I've spent months trying to identify - can you help?
Thanks very much for your help. I've attached some photos of the lamp. As I said, it's lovely but I can find no information about when it may have been made.
South Carolina Reader

   

Blenko Glass Annual Warehouse Sale

Blenko Glass annual warehouse sale begins  March 16th.
You'll want to attend this event.
Check out the schedule on Blenko Glass website.

Blenko Glass. Available Glass in Gift Shop.

Blenko Behind the Senes Tonight on Nebraska PBS

Blenko Glass: Behind the Scenes Monday 7pm

on Nebraska PBS

 

For more information visit:
http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/television/blenko-glass-behind-scenes-monday-7pm-promo

Hot Shop Neon Workshop March 9th and 10th

Hot Shop Neon Workshop- Neusole Glassworks (Cincinnati, OH)

During this two day workshop, participants will work with an experienced glassblower to create hollow forms in the hot shop on the first day.

On the second day, these forms will be lit up using argon or neon gas.

The outcome is similar to a plasma globe/ball.

Each participant will receive a transformer to keep to light their form/s.

$350

Neusole Glassworks
656 E McMillan St
Cincinnati, OH 45206

March 9th 10-3
March 10th 10-3
http://www.neusoleglassworks.com/Classes.html

Behind the Scenes 8pm tonight on WKAR-TV

Blenko Glass: Behind the Scenes 8pm Friday 3/1  on WKAR-TV


 Those giving at certain levels may receive Blenko glass pieces as a thank you gift, including a blue fluted vase made especially for WKAR supporters. Watch and call or Give Now to WKAR-TV Michigan.

Watch and call or Give Now to WKAR-TV  - Those giving at certain levels may receive Blenko glass pieces as a thank you gift, including a blue fluted vase made especially for WKAR supporters.
Step behind the scenes of Blenko Glass, a family company whose brilliantly colored glass has been a collector's favorite for a century.
This high definition program takes viewers into the heat and heart of the Blenko glassworks to see how the beautiful, all-handmade, glassware is created. Each piece is unique and so are the artisans and members of the Blenko family who continue this proud, 100 year tradition.

For more information visit http://wkar.org/post/blenko-glass-behind-scenes-0

Collect Blenko? Add your photos to The Blenko Project www.blenkoproject.org Collectors pages.

Notice:
The Blenko Project  www.blenkoproject.org  is seeking photos of Blenko Collections.
If you collect Blenko - consider sending photos of your glass and a bio.
    We are seeking quality collections.

HJH 

Blenko Warehouse Sale March 16th -

Blenko Glass Annual Warehouse Sale -  Starts  March 16th

check out www.blenkoglass.com  for time and place.
If you go - please send photos for the blog (theblenkoproject@aol.com). 
hjh

New Limited Edition Pieces coming to the Online Store on March 18th.

New Limited Edition Pieces coming to the Online Store on March 18th.

http://shop.blenko.com/

Also, don't forget the Blenko Factory Sale is on NOW in Milton
www.blenkoproject.org

Readers - can you help ID this glass?

Hello and thanks!

 

Have looked ALL OVER the Web with no Luck on Identifying this Decanter which I believe is a Blenko!

 

I would love to know if it is a Blenko, who the Glass Blower was, the Year and the Blenko Number.  Anything else would be Great!

 

The Base is 6.5" wide.  The Decanter alone is 25" Tall.  The Stopper is 5.5".

 

Thank-You very much,

 

M H

Blenko . Blenko. Blenko All for the Love of Blenko!

Hilary,
Perhaps if Blenko was worried about saving money they could cut you from the payroll,  also the hot air balloons,  the art classes and some of the other junk that isn't worth doing or related to Blenko Glass.
I don't expect you to publish this but do respond.
David S.

David,    Your comment made me think immediately of quote from Martin Luther King

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
   Blenko Glass is managed by a professional team.  Blenko is very careful with money.  Blenko is a family owned and I'm betting you don't have a dime invested in Blenko!   In my family we have a rule - - "if its your dime - - you have a vote - - otherwise keep your mouth shut!"
   Many people (collectors, neighbors, friends) love Blenko Glass and want very much to help in any way they can.  In good times and in bad times!  
    We volunteer to the blog and the Blenko Project -  multiple  Blenko Collectors assist with both.        Neither this  blog  http://herald-dispatchblogs04.blogspot.com  nor The Blenko Project   www.blenkoproject.org  is funded by Blenko Glass. 
We are not paid for the blog or the Blenko Project  www.blenkoproject.org .  We are not on a payroll.
    The Hot Air Balloon - ( you have a long memory - this was 4 or 5 years ago)  was brought to Milton by a devoted fan of Blenko.  There was no cost to Blenko Glass for this event.
     Many glass  artist ( Ernie Downey - immediately comes to mind)  volunteer to take photos,  conduct classes,  and assist with promotion and art at no cost to Blenko. 
     While I appreciate your concern for Blenko's budget and I do believe you are writing not with malice but with concern - - -  Blenko's budget is something we should not worry with .
      You want to help.  I understand this.  One way you might assist  is to tell your friends and co workers about Blenko Glass.  Gift Blenko Glass for Valentines' Day,  All Holidays,  All Gift Giving Occasions.  Purchase glass from the factory.    Buying after market ( vintage glass)  does little to keep the lights on. 
      Thank you for buying Blenko,  for your concern.   I assure you many people find  'worth' in the blog and the www.blenkoproject.org, and the classes conducted at Blenko. 

hjh 

Blenko Glass - WV Birthday Pieces Seeking New Home

Readers:  Due to a serious illness, a  long time Blenko Collector is dismantling his Blenko Glass collection - included is a set of WV Birthday Vases.  This collector has 30 of these vases.  Most are before 2000.  The family will accept offers immediately and will make final decisions no later than April 1, 2013.  

If you have a need for one or more WV Birthday Vases please send the years you need, the price you wish to pay and your contact info to:  theblenkoproject@aol.com.

The family will provide you with photos and will carefully ship each item.

Pre-designer Amethyst spiral wrapped vase and decanter. 365 days fo Blenko

Blenko #483 Spiral Wrapped vase in Amethyst (7 3/4"), Blenko #3751-D decanter in Amethyst (12 1/2")

Photos by Bruce Specht

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

Can we Help identify this pitcher?

Readers:  Can we Help identify this pitcher? 

Hi Hillary,

It looks on your blog like you are a very busy person, so thanks for reading this!

I was given a beautiful blue 5 ½” Blenko crackeled glass pitcher in 1977 as a wedding gift.
I’m now trying to find out more about it, such as when it was produced, and maybe a guess at a current value.
I want to give it as a gift to the Granddaughter of the lady that gave it to me.
I’ve attached a photo.

I’ve looked at the catalogs on the blenkoproject.org (I saw a similar photo in ’74 – maybe # 3750L, and also ’71 # 6916? – BUT it is almost impossible to read the font & it won’t zoom in), e-mailed Blenko (they say they don’t have the employees available to answer me), asked on Facebook – someone said to contact you, looked on e-bay, done other searches, etc.

Thanks for any help,

CC

Blenko Glass. Mark Davis

www.blenkoproject.org

We often recommend new collectors purchase  glass directly from the Blenko Glass website.   Then age your glass.   In time,  you'll have a unique collection of glass you love that has become vintage.  
    Mark Davis began work at Blenko as a young man - like all Blenko craftsmen he worked at various jobs to develop the skills needed to excel.   
    Currently Mark Davis ia a senior finisher at Blenko Glass.  He is considered one of Blenko finest.  

2012 Photo Mark Davis - Finisher   Photo from Ernie Downey.

Glass ID: lamp

Hello,

I've looked through your catalogs and cannot see something that exactly matches
a lamp I just purchased at an auction. It's very large - 47 inches from base to
top of the finial. Shade is 20 inches across by 15 inches high and I believe is
original to the lamp. I've uploaded some photos to this address:https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A8532ODWBUheu
I'd appreciate any help you could offer. It's an extraordinary lamp and I'd love
to know more about it.

Thank you,
H

Big - Very Big Blenko Glass Vases

Glass doc,  I have a question,  will Blenko again make the architectural glass?  George D.

George,   Blenko has never stopped making large pieces of glass.  The Husted items have been made for decades.   On 2/13  I counted a total of 45 large items in the gift shop.  Also these architectural vases are sold in the Blenko Glass on line store.  www.blenkoglass.com    To learn more about Blenko Glass,  vintage Blenko Glass and to view collections of Blenko Glass and communicate with Blenko Collectors go to www.blenkoproject.org  The Blenko Project webpages.  hjh

BLENKO GLASS. Valentine's Day Gifts. Gifts for All Occasion

One of my favorite items from Blenko Glass is the Fused Glas Design  ear rings and necklaces made by Ernie Downey.   Cost is between $22 and $79 .   If you don't see what you want,  contact Mr. Downey ask about the possiblity of having an item made in the colors you desire.   Currently a large selection of Ernie Downey jewerly is available in the Blenko Glass giftshop.  hjh 

visit blenkoproject.org for more glass info

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!   Thank you for purchasing and collecting Blenko Glass www.blenkoglass.com.   Thank you for your contributions to the Blenko Project www.blenkoproject.org .  

Blenko Glass Heart For Sale Gift Shop

Valentine's Day! Blenko Has Your Gift Giving Covered.

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly known as Valentine's Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine,[ is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them.




St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. The most popular martyrology associated with Saint Valentine was that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire; during his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius. Legend states that before his execution he wrote "from your Valentine" as a farewell to her. Today, Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church.The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6th and July 30th, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).



The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.  Blenko Glass in Milton, WVa  www.blenkoglass.com  yearly manufactures  vases to be used for Valentine's Day -  these vases may be filled with appropriate flowers .  

The above information from wiki and sent to blog by friend and follower Carolee.

Blenko Glass 

Blenko crystal fish 

Blenko Glass   304 743 9081 

Any new thing for Vday? Or upcoming events?

Readers:
In an effort to respond to your emails and comments about Blenko 's plans for the V-Day holiday and upcoming events,  we wrote to K Trippe VP Blenko Glass.
Her response is below.
hjh

Hi Hillary,
We do have a pretty good display of stuff for Valentine's day as well as the limited edition cinnamon mini water bottle at the VC. As for upcoming events our spring open house is on March 16th and our annual warehouse sale is from March 16th-30th. The warehouse is closed on Sundays and the hours are posted on our website. We are offering classes during the open house also listed on our website. .
Thanks,
Katie
http://www.blenko.com/

BLENKO - IRIS FOLDED CARDS

There have been some questions in the blog comments lately about my

non-Blenko iris folded cards.  I have done heart-shaped valentines, celtic

cross, coffee cups, a virtual beer for a friend who was deployed in

Afghanistan (a dry country in more ways than one), and an anniversary card

for my husband that featured a wine glass.  The Blenko water bottle shape

was something I had made for me by a commercial die-maker.  The hearts I cut

with a Spellbinders Nestabilities die (they have multiple shapes in

graduated sizes) for use with various die cutting machines - I use a

Cuttlebug.  All the other shapes were purchased pre-cut, and there are many

other shapes available.

I sell these cards in my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/therenaissancewoman   I haven't listed anything

recently due to a death in the family and work constraints, but if you are

really interested, send me a conversation via the shop.  One card is $10.

Five or more are $9 each.  Ten or more are $8 each.  One to two cards will

ship together by First Class mail for $2.00, three to five cards will ship

together by flat rate Priority Mail envelope for $4.90. More than six cards,

please contact for flat rate Priority Mail rate for shipping and insurance.

I hope that helps answer the questions.

Valentine's Day Gifts - Unique handcrafted. Blenko Glass

Each year - from Feb 1st until the 17th  most everyone is thinking of 'Heart Day'.  Its a big deal, for the attached and the unattached.
Flowers and Candy!   This year let's vow to stay away from 'candy and flowers'. . . .no one needs the additional calories from sugar or  red roses from Mexico.  
Look for a handcrafted item - a Made IN USA item.   Diane Weber hand crafted cards are a unique V-day gift.  I often frame Weber cards.   If Blenko or factory glass isn't your thing - consider Ron Hinkle Glass or one of the many WV Glass makers who sell their wares at Tamarack.http://www.tamarackwv.com . 

So many questions?  Who to give a gift.   What gift to give?   One doesn't want to give a gift that's more sentimental than one receives.   There are Rule Books for gift giving.

Ruby Red 4 spout Blenko Water Bottle ( fill with flowers?)

Diane Weber Handcrafted Cards - Etsy and sometimes at Blenko Glass

Crystal Heart - Blenko Glass paper weight (less than $10).

Water Bottle Blenko with Handle - Ruby (vintage glass).  www.theblenkoproject.com  for additional photos of vintage Blenko Glass 

Ron Hinkle Glass -  Hinkle and Homburg - Ron Hinkle is  WVa's most well known independent glass maker

    I grew up in a small family - we celebrate all holidays - our own - and any other cultures that suits our fancy - on V Day   we give gifts to those we care about - usually hand crafted cards; or a meal ( on a week day),  Flowers in the Blenko Vase for the parents and Uncles .   Yes.   I know I said No Candy and Flowers - but if you are doing flowers - ask for a Blenko Glass Vase. { Or better yet,  bring your own}.    A Blenko Vase can be re used.. . refill the vase every V-Day,  or on Saturdays ( with super market flowers  - Think under $5 flowers).    The gift of good quality glass is timeless.
      In West Virginia we are blessed with many small glass makers, and of course Blenko Glass and also Fiesta Glass.   Purchasing a handcrafted tableware item is as simple as placing a call or driving to the factory.    With the popularity of on line shopping -  now everyone can enjoy BLENKO GLASS  www.blenkoglass.comwithout leaving their homes.   One reader from Louisville, Ky recently wrote she shops the gift shop by phone.  She's call and ask if they are busy and if NOT - she ask whats on the clearance tables etc.  - gives them her credit card.   The gift shop prices are 50% less than online store ( note: gift shop is made of of 75% 2nds - the 1st quality items are priced similar to catalog).  I'm not suggesting you try this - - but, I was impressed with her ability to save a drive to Blenko and to save on the glassware. 
     "Time is the most Important Gift"   we can offer or receive.  
 www.blenkoproject.org