http://Imgc.ext.wvu.edu/Hilary,,
We will be coming from South Dakota to Charleston next year for the International Garden Club Conference.
Visitng Blenko Glass has been on our bucket list and during this conference we plan to visit Blenko, Osburn, Fenton and Hinkle is there anyone else we should plan for?
Next question is glass in the yard or garden, you've posted photos of Blenko in the yard, we want to add Blenko or other glass to our yard scape . Question is : how do we know what glass can survive in our yard? Is the glass marked? Will someone at Blenko tell us? Also can we visit any glass gardens while we are in West Virginia? If so please give contact information. Thank you. Arbutus G.
Ms. AG,
We are excited to have you and the International Garden Club visit West Virginia. My parents are members for more than a decade of the West Virginia Master Gardeners Club. Please email me at theblenkoproject@aol.com and I'll provide you with my parents address, I know they would welcome you to their glass garden.
When you visit Blenko Glass you'll see many pieces of glass outside, in the court yard you'll see items that have survive 10 or more WVa winters. Did you sign up for the Blenko Glass Tour that's a part of the conference? If you have not, plan to do this. Bobbie McCabe is coordinating the tours and she's worked very hard to make certain all the tours are special. Blenko Glass is on the list of available tours. If you aren't signed up or this tour is filled. Phone Blenko at 304 743 9081 and plan to visit at a time when the glass workers are working in the observation area.
One more thing about glass outside, Blenko doesn't encourage this, nor do they guarantee the glass will survive outdoors. We can say that in my parents yard, glass has been in the yard for more than 20 years. Last year my parents lost many items ( feet and hands, and a couple frogs - they were lost to theft not a bad winter) other than this and a few breaks due to deer running through the yard.
Good luck. hjh
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