Mark your calendar: Blenko Spring Warehouse Sale March 19-26

Warehouse Sale  (March 19 - 26) 8 Consecutive Days!!!  Once again we will be offering amazing deals as we open our warehouse to the general public. This year we are pleased to announced that we will be open for 8 consecutive days includingSunday, March 20! Cash, check, and all major credit cards are accepted and parking will be available at the warehouse and in front of the factory. Come in early for the best selection on Inventory over-runs, Dalle de Verre slab glass products and Antique Sheet Glass products. Limited availability on specialty colors and designs. Prices as marked. No additional discounts or coupons.   Warehouse Sale Hours: Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 3pm  Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm Spring Open House Event  (Saturday, March 19, 9am - 4pm) Along with our Annual Warehouse Sale, our Spring Open House Event will also be held at our Visitor Center Store on Saturday, March 19. Visitors will be able to participate in classes (fees apply) and two new Limited Edition Items will go on sale Saturday, March 19 at 9am at the Visitor Center Store. (tickets will be passed out at the door). Each piece is limited and hand numbered. Limited 2 per style per person. Limited Edition Items can be seen below. Special Edition Bunnies will also be available while supplies last. Bunnies are not signed or numbered but quantities are limited, get yours while supplies last! Along with this, this year we are also offering a 15% Discount on everything in our gift shop, excluding Limited Edition,  Special Edition Items & Customized Etched Items by Mindy. Discount valid ONLY during this event; 9am - 4pm and ONLY at Visitor's Center Store.       Limited Edition & Special Edition Items  (On sale March 19 at 9am at Visitor Center Store) "Hydrangea" Vase & Pitcher. Pastel inclusions of Light Blue, Pink, Green & White coloration mix together to form these 2 breathtaking classics. Their muted and elongated colors are reminiscent of spring rain and the beautiful flowers that they are patterned after. Vase & Pitcher are approximately 10'' tall. 40 signed & numbered pieces will be available in both styles. "Hydrangea" Vase is $50 & "Hydrangea" Pitcher is $54. Special Edition Bunnies. A true tribute to the Easter season, these bunnies are completely hand-formed by our team of skilled glass artisans with a twist of specially selected colored glass encased inside of each. The height of each bunny varies but they are generally around a chubby 5.5'' in height with a flop ear. Bunnies are available in "Hope" & "Springtime" Designs. $52 each Online Exclusives!!!   (Monday, March 21 at 12 noon EST) For our customers who can't visit us in person. We will be offering 40 of our Limited Edition "Hydrangea" Vases & Pitchers for online purchase Monday, March 21 at 12 noon Eastern time, 9am Pacific time at shop.blenko.com. Each piece is limited and hand numbered. Limit 2 per style per person. No phone orders will be accepted. Shipping charges will be calculated at the time of shipment. No special number requests will be taken, numbers will be assigned as orders are received. Easter Specials!!! Just in time for the holiday and our Open House Event, our Easter Bunnies, Easter Eggs and Easter Baskets are sure to be a customer favorite this time of year. AvailableSaturday, March 19 at the gift shop. No two eggs or bunnies are exactly alike. Get yours while supplies last.     Signing Events!!!   Walter Blenko Jr. will be attending our Spring Open House on Saturday, March 19 for a special signing event. Signing event times will be announced soon. Check back for information or like us on Facebook to receive the most up to date information.       Save The Date!!! Here is a list of special factory events and dates.   Paperweight Circle Friday & Saturday March 11 & 12   Garden Party Saturday & Sunday May 14 & 15   West Virginia Day Event Saturday, June 18   *Special VC Hours 8am-5pm*   "Midnight Madness" Friday, June 17 *TBA*   Festival of Glass Friday & Saturday, August 5 & 6   Class Schedule  (Friday, March 18)  Make Your Own Glass Easter Eggs $38.00 per person Class times: Approx. 9:30am-11:30am & 12:15pm-2:15pm  Back by popular demand we will have our Make Your Own Easter Egg class. Each person will work with our craftsman to create two multi-colored glass Easter eggs.   (Saturday, March 19)  Make Your Own Glass Easter Eggs $38.00 per person Class times: Approx. 9:30am-11:30am & 12:15pm-2:15pm  Back by popular demand we will have our Make Your Own Easter Egg class. Each person will work with our craftsman to create two multi-colored glass Easter eggs Stained Glass Panel Class $85.00 per person Class times: 9:00am - Finish  In this class each participant will learn the steps required to make a stained glass panel and will then create their own 8'' x 10'' panel.   Sign-ups for classes begin today, February 26 and class space is extremely limited. Give us a call at 304-743-9081 if interested. Credit card required to hold reservation. We hope to see you soon!!!

Special Edition Blenko Glass Bunny - HOPE

Special Edition "Hope" Bunny

The "Hope" Bunny is completely hand-formed by our team of skilled glass artisans with a twist of Rainbow colors encased in it's belly. The height of each bunny varies but they are generally around a chubby 5 ½” in height, with a flop ear. Bunnies are only available for a limited time and can be ordered NOW through March 31. Bunnies MUST be ordered by March 11 to be received by Easter.  No orders for Bunnies accepted / filled after March 31, 2016. Bunnies will also be available in the Visitor’s Center beginning March 19 at the Spring Open House. 

We have relatives and friends battling serious illness - this HOPE Bunny would make an awesome gift.

For anyone who is struggling with school, work, health, or just to give another the gift of HOPE!  

 

Blenko HOPE Bunny   - Photo and copy from Blenko Glass 

Green Glass for St Patty's Day

A decade ago Randy Rider made a green ( dark) top hat for me.  I use it as an ice bucket in December and again in March for St Patty's Day.

Reader Sweet Doc wrote to say:  This year Blenko Glass has a series of GREEN GLASS that is marked 25% OFF IN HONOR OF ST PATTY'S DAY.

Check out the Blenko Glass website  www.blenkoglass.com 

Blenko Glass Green - NOT a photo of available glass 

Easter Is Fast Approaching.... Spring Edition

Special Edition "Springtime" Bunny

A true piece of Spring inspired art, the "Springtime" Bunny is completely hand-formed by our team of skilled glass artisans with a twist of Spring inspired colors (Pink, Yellow, Green, White & Purple) encased in it's belly. The height of each bunny varies but they are generally around a chubby 5 ½” in height, with a flop ear. Bunnies are only available for a limited time and can be ordered NOW through March 31. Bunnies MUST be ordered by March 11 to be received by Easter.  No orders for Bunnies accepted / filled after March 31, 2016. Bunnies will also be available in the Visitor’s Center beginning March 19 at the Spring Open House

Readers you'll want to quickly order these Bunnies.  Limited supply and no orders after 3/31.

Blenko Springtime Bunny - Info and photo from Blenko Glass Co. 

FIRE and ICE Blenko Glass Company

Blenko Glass

 

Blenko Glass FIRE and ICE - sloped shoulder Vase

Blenko Glass  introduced FIRE AND ICE  almost a decade ago.  The popularity of this line was a surprise to the office - but the guys in the factory KNEW  Fire and Ice would be a keeper.

We've used FIRE AND ICE  for weddings,  for West Virginia University events.   The colors are beautiful and this series is an example of the unique colors and shapes created by Blenko Glass.  

The sloped should vase is my favorite in this line - we'll publish photos of the entire line.  
These are available on line at BLENKO GLASS  ,   If you don't own this series - may we suggest you add the FIRE AND ICE series to your collection. 

Blenko Sale This Weekend.

Reader Sol sent the following email - he's on a Blenko Glass Company mailing list.  May I suggest you also ask to be placed on this mail loop.  
Sale is This weekend.

From California to New York ....A Stop At Blenko.

This Military family was in route to a new assignment in New York.  They became BLENKO COLLECTORS on this their first trip to Blenko Glass.

The family spent over an hour watching glass being made - then more time shopping for gifts at the wonderful Blenko Glass Visitor 's Center Gift Shop.

If you are planning to trip to the East Coast - consider a stop in Milton.   If you contact us at theblenkoproject@aol.com  we'll provide you with a list of motels, camping grounds and good places to eat and shop.

Blenko GLASS  www.blenkoglass.com

Annual Blenko Warehouse Sale

Effective immediately Blenko announces that our 2016 Warehouse Sale will open on Saturday March 19, 2016 as scheduled and remain open for the following eight (8) consecutive days only. Past years we were not open on Sunday but this year we will be. Additionally the second week of the sale will be cut short and the event will conclude on Saturday evening March 26th. Please take note and adjust your plans accordingly! Sunday March 27th is Easter and theBlenko warehouse sale will not be open.

We hope this schedule change allows you to plan a great trip to Milton and Blenko Glass.”

Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 10am-3pm
*File picture not indicative of current warehouse selection

http://bestevents.us/milton-blenko-annual-warehouse-sale/1049529

Blenko Glass for Adoption

More Blenko Needing a new home.  Reader Carolee has all the glasss in this catalog photo - she collects by pages in the catalogs.  This is a new type of collection to me.  She and her significant other choose a page in the catalog and search for the pictured Blenko.    We also have needing a home the

WV Birthday Basket - an early birthday piece, the owner estimates it worth at 875.  If this is an item you need.   The early birthday vases are difficult to find.   This one often has cracks at point where handle is connected to base.  Ann U. tells us this one has no such cracks. 

Please leave messages.  We will not publish your message but will respond to the question or send your message to the owner of the glass.

You may also write or send photos to:  theblenkoproject@aol.com.

HJH

Happy Valentine's Day

If You are still searching for that something unique, special, and not too outrageously expensive - consider shopping Blenko Glass.  The online shop is a great start - but if you live within driving distance of the Milton Glass Factory.  I'm going to suggest you make  a visit.  Blenko has something for everyone and for every occasion. 
Pictured below are just a sample of the offerings.  Note:  The Blenko Gift shop merchandise changes daily.  No guarantee you'll find these items.  But we do guarantee you'll find something you love.
Blenko Glass  handcrafted in West Virginia.

A Little Bling -

The Blenko Glass Fish -  Perfect for All

Glass squirrel for the Hunter in Your Life

Handcrafted Card - Perfect for Valentine's Day - from Etsy

Red Glass Hearts - WV Glass Makers 

 

Marvin Lipofsky

Photo of Marvin Lipofsky taken in the 70s. 

 Marvin Lipofsky was one of a dozen GlassDesigners who came to Rural USA to work in Glass Factories.  Joel Myers ( Blenko Designer) was key to arranging this melting of Glass Factory Workers and Glass Designers.

Copyright © 2016 Marvin Lipofsky Studios

Marvin Lipofsky Studios

1016 Pardee Street

Berkeley, CA 94710

WILLIAM HENRY BLENKO JR ORBITUARY

WILLIAM HENRY BLENKO JR., 94, of Milton, W.Va., passed away on Friday, February 5, 2016, at his residence. Born in 1921, he was a son of the late William Henry Blenko Sr. and Marion Hunt from the famous Hunt Stained Glass Studios. William attended Milton High School and was named valedictorian in 1938. He played on the Milton High School basketball team as forward and center at 5'11". He attended the prestigious Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was asked to join Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. While there, he played intramural sports and played a big role in winning the intramural championship in basketball. When World War II began, he patriotically volunteered for the Army Air Corps and trained at Yale. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant and was stationed to the East Anglia Air bases. William served at Honnington Air Field, England, and at Thetford, England. It was during this time in the Air Corps that he met Jeanne Margaret Deakin, of Oadby, England, who was in the Royal Air Force. They were married in Pittsburgh in 1946. William became the third generation to work at Blenko Glass Company in Milton, W.Va. He was a lifelong member of the VFW, the Lions Club, The Ceramic Society and was an avid Marshall sports fan. He became president of the Blenko Glass Company in 1969 with the death of his father. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Jeanne Deakin Blenko, his son William Blenko III, close friends Robert Stein of Chicago, Hinton Richmond, Hollis Griffith and Nestor Logan. He is survived by his son Richard and Marty Blenko and his sister-in-law Cathleen Cooper of Leicester, England. A private ceremony was held on February 8, 2016. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Hospice of Huntington. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.heckfuneralhome.com. - See more at: 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/herald-dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=william-henry-blenko&pid=177651285&fhid=23718#sthash.8xSH4G9F.dpuf

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/former-president-of-blenko-glass-dies-at-age/article_a9dcdc7e-cf35-11e5-8eed-cf7b7006007b.html

Valentine's Day Weekend!

Nothing speaks to the Heart like ' Ruby Red Blenko!'  or crystal Blenko vase filled with fresh flowers, a bowl in your significant others favorite color filled with jelly beans or his favorite chocolate.

Blenko Glass is handcrafted in West Virginia.  www.blenkoglass.com

West Virginia Birthday Vases Seeking New Home

Hillery,
   My maw maw passed this past year.  I inherited and do not want her West Virginia and Ohio glass.   Its a bunch of odd n ends except for the State Birthday Vases.
    She has the first four and the last eight.
I have been told the first ones are worth about 1,000 each and the later ones about $500.
Is this accurate?   Will you help us find someone who needs these?
Alicia Bell

Alicia
Blenko and most other vintage glass is worth whatever another is willing to pay.  I will post your note.  If you will send photos - I'll add these.
Most collectors will want to see the bottom and a good quality photo of the entire piece.
Thank you for reading.
If you want to learn more about Blenko Glass -- the history and also learn about collecting, may I suggest The Blenko Project,  another good site is Blenko Glass Collectors - Blenko Four, and of course the Blenko Glass Company website  and facebook pages devoted to Blenko.
HJH

She has 1980 - 84

 

She has 2012 - 2015

Glass Needing New Homes _ Feb 2016

Our main focus for the month of Feb., other than promoting GLASS as an alternative to Valentine's Day Flowers..... will be 'Glass Needing New Homes'.

Should you have a good item that is a duplicate for you, or that you no longer love.  We may be able to help.   Please send photo, description and a contact info and we'll post the photo.  Our readers, many of whom just began ( 1-5 years) collecting and are in need of older and unique colors of Blenko.  
Please send to TheBlenkoProject@aol.com 
Sample of Ideal Valentine's Day Gift -  Card and Blenko!

V-Day Card

Blenko Glass - Martini Pitcher 

Loss of great glass artist, Marvin Lipofsky

Marvin Lipofsky, Who Raised Blown Glass To High Art, Dead At 77

Marvin Lipofsky, a founder of the studio-glass movement, which took blown glass from the realm of interior decoration and functionality and showed its potential as a fine-arts medium, died on Jan. 15 in Oakland, Calif. He was 77.

For years we heard stories fro m Shorty Finley, and Jessie Carpenter about the ‘design boys’  who came with Joel Myers to do factory work.   They spoke of how kind and supportive the designers  were to the factory men.   They all went fishing and bowling and bonded in Milton.

Shorty Finley and Marvin Lipofsky were reunited via phone after I met Marvin and Henry Halem http://www.henryhalem.com/ in Pittsburgh ( 2009).  

Marvin Lipofsky and Henry Halem spoke of their time in West Virginia and the workers with great delight – as if it were yesterday.

Marvin Lipofsky was a wonderful presenter, a beyond wonderful glass designer, and a good friend to everyone who knew him.

Over the years, he has provided this blog with photos from Blenko during his tenture and documents about Joel Myers.  Marvin Lipofsky loved  the process of making glass art and immediately bonded and became teacher, mentor, friend to others sharing his interest.

We feel blessed to have known him.

hjh

 

 

Give Kids A Smile - Feb 5, 2016 Charleston WV

Blenko Warehouse Sale

Blenko Glass each year in March holds a 4-5 day warehouse sale.

If you haven't been....may I suggest you mark this event in your calendar and attempt to attend.

Each year they sell Artist Proofs,  odd ball glass,  2nds and many items that are just discontinued.

While I have not been in several years,  each year many readers write to speak of the beautiful and VERY NICELY PRICED items they purchased.

My parents used to go yearly and buy gifts for their entire office staffs.   During this event, one can obtain Blenko Glass water bottles for as low as $16.... consider buying in bulk for your gift closet.

Each year I receive a letter from the Conner family -- they bring their van and fill it with items to
resell on EBay and Etsy.  
For the exact dates and times please phone 304 743 9081 - check www.blenkoglass.com Blenko Glass website, or the Blenko Collectors on face book. 

Photo from Conner Family - Warehouse Sale 2015 

Located in Milton, WV Blenko Glass is an American institution and has been in business since 1893.

For over 100 years Blenko has maintained and will carry on the tradition of hand making glassware in America. We offer a wide range of products which include functional glassware, art glass, mouth blown sheet glass, dalle de verre and other quality products.

We welcome you to become a part of the Blenko Family.*

Note:  We continue with policy of NOT publishing comments.  We will however, forward your comments to the appropriate persons.  We appreciate your comments - good - bad and indifferent.
Our goal is to raise awareness of the wonderful handcrafted glass available in West Virginia.
We will attempt to assist you with documenting your glass,  finding new homes for your glass.
Thank you for reading and for your continued interest in Blenko Glass.  

* Blenko Glass website.

Are these Cats Blenko?

Bowl ID

 

I have looked through your catalogues and was not able to identify this piece.  Would you be able to help me?  Measures 5 1/2" tall, 8" long, 6 1/2" wide. Base is 6" long X 4” wide.  Has 4 stretched sections that rise up from the base.  

Thanks,

J

Good Afternoon,
Hoping you may be able to help, we have 2 sets of what I believe are bookends, they still have a Blenko sticker on them. One is a rectangular set with the number B-13 on the sticker and they are 3 1/2" w x 5 3/4"t. The other set are round with a flat bottom and have the number B-14 on the sticker and they measure 5" w x 4 3/4"t. I have attached pictures. Any information that you may have would be greatly appreciated.
 
Many Thanks,

T&B

Can you help this reader ID a sugnature?

Hoping you can help me with with a signature, I'm not sure who this is. It doesn't look like anyone listed on your site that worked at Blenko in 2006. This is signed on a 30 inch Ruby floor decanter which I bought at the Blenko factory in 2006.

Decanter ID

Good Evening.

 

I am a student beginning to study vintage glass and I have picked up a decanter that I believe is a Blenko Decanter in the Peacock color.  I cannot find it any of the catalogs you have online and was hoping that you could help me. I have attached 2 pictures and I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration, thank you for your time!!!

 

Elsa

 

Unique Blenko Hourglass

Good afternoon:

 

I can tell that this is a Hour Glass/Sand Timer with Blenko glass. I haven't been able to find another with blue glass.

Can you tell me anything about it-age, origin, etc?

Thanks for your help!

Regards,

Carrie

Dear Blenko project

 

Attached please find a photo of a glass vase which I am trying to identify. It stands approximately 7 ½ “ high, is perfectly round with a circular indentation on the bottom, and has a flat rim as I have seen in other Blenko pieces. I have looked through the catalogues and seen round vases or tall ones with flat rims but not round with flat rims. I would be grateful if you could tell me whether or not this item was made by Blenko.

 

Many thanks in advance for your help. I live in the UK – My contact details are below.

 

Kind regards

 

Cynthia

Blenko Jug

I have a large Blenko two handled jug that I cannot id as to designer or year.  I believe it is either Nickerson or Shepherd but cannot locate a similar one looking at the catalog pages.  It is 15” high, 8” in diameter at the bottom and 9 1/4” in diameter from handle to handle.  It is in tangerine.  Any help you can provide will be appreciated.

Thank you,

DK

Reader Help - Is this Blenko?

A longtime dear friend gifted these six tumblers to us. The elderly relative whose estate they came from was an admirer of fine glass and lived close to West Virginia. Having graduated from Alderson-Broaddus University nearly 50 years ago, we thought immediately of Blenko glass. 

Family Estate - Can you help ID Glass?

Below are pics of items that were from my father's estate. Family lore is that  

they are Blenko pieces Some bought and some given to my grandfather Howard  

Slater when he photographed pieces for the catalogs for the company.  I've  

looked through catalogs and i think they are but as some don't have any markings  

on them, I'm not 100%. 

Can you please help identify and also value them if they are?  

Thank you so much for your guidance and assistance. 

Sincerely, 

SL

 

Reader Request - Lamp ID

Hello,

I am trying to get some information about this lamp. It has been in my family since the 50’s. It looks exactly like 4 different lamps that are being auctioned right now on eBay in different colors and are attributed to Wayne Husted at Blenko. However, in my contacts with a Blenko Collecting Group on Facebook, there is definite consensus that this is not a Blenko lamp. I love the lamp for sentimental reasons and I have no interest in selling it. I’m simply trying to establish who made it so that I can pass the information along to my children.

 

Any information you could provide would be most welcomed.

Thank you in advance,

LL