Holiday Items - Blenko Glass

Looking for a unique, one of a kind item for a Xmas stocking?
Think first of BLENKO GLASS www.blenkoglass.com
Blenko has been making snowmen ( large and now a small size $20 to $50) for a decade or more.
Ornaments ? Blenko yearly commissions a series of collector ornaments handpainted ornaments - supply is always limited.
Phone or visit Blenko Glass. You'll find Blenko has something for everyone on your shopping list

Most Valued Glass

Glassdoc
You own a lot of glass, may I ask what you value most?
Paul


Paul,
I no longer own a lot of glass. I live in a small 3 bedroom cottage, several years ago I gifted most of my Glass to West Virginia University for display in the new Arts Building.
The items I value are those given to me, and those made or handled by Wayne Husted. ( see photo).
I'll also admit I've been saving money to purchase a JOEL PHILIP MYERS after Blenko(http://www.cmog.org/dynamic.aspx?id=1394) item.
Also on my dream list is a Marvin Lipofsky(http://www.marvinlipofsky.com/) item.

Blenko Cyber Monday!

For the first time ever, Blenko is offering the Limited Edition items listed below in a Cyber Monday Special. The items listed below will only be available online at shop.bleko.com and will promptly go on sale Monday, November 28th at 12 noon Eastern time, 9am Pacific time. Limit 1 of each style per household, while supplies last.

Guitar
Continuing our salute to Appalachian Music, 50 of these signed and numbered 17'' tall Electric Blue Guitars will be available to our online customers (#76-#125). Each piece is skillfully crafted by our artisans and will be signed by the mold maker, Daniel Chapman.
$65.00 each
*plus pkg. & freight charges

Winter Berry Vase
This beautifully crafted 13 1/2'' tall footed vase with swirling colors of blue, pink and white will be a beautiful addition to your collection. 30 of these beautifully crafted and numbered vases will be available to our online customers (#51-#80).
$55.00 each
*plus pkg. & freight charges


Angel of Love
One of our best sellers, now with a new twist. The warm and vibrant colors swirling through the body of this 4'' tall miniature angel embody the feeling of love. 50 of these signed and numbered pieces will be available to our online customers (#1-#50). Each angel will be signed by retired master craftsman, Les Womack.
$45.00 each
*plus freight charges
*ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

complete details about the sale can be found here

2nd Annual Small Business Saturday

Today is the Small Business Saturday - today you are ask to purchase from a small business, to buy local. To avoid MALLS, and box stores. We daily try to purchase small and local.

In my town of Charleston, WVa. we have 3 Lowe's and a Home Depot within 10 minutes of my home - - - also there are 3 local owned hardware stores ( Pile Hardware on Washington St., my favorite - the story is in the 70s when my parents were newly weds Mr. Pile almost daily answered my Mom's questions re: ' What to do, what to buy, or how to remove?' Mr. Pile is still there at the front desk, answering questions and assisting new and old homeowners). If you haven't bought local - you'll discover the small business may be owned by your neighbor! He'll often do a special order, and the prices are no higher than the box store.

You'll develop a relationship with your salesperson, you'll learn to trust their vast knowledge of the material they sell.

Blenko Glass and WV Glass is a fine example of buying LOCAL! When you purchase Blenko, Fenton, Hinkle Glass from a local dealer or at the factories you are supporting your community. Blenko, Hinkle and most WV Glass makers sign their glass at no additional cost. Many times you have the opportunity to meet the designers, the owners and the factory workers. With Glass perhaps you can find glass that is priced lower than Blenko or WV Glass, however, it is NOT made in the USA. Often times the quality is not comparable.

Buy local today. If time permits send a note about your experience with buying local.

hjh

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Heart of Glass!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today before or after the 'tofurky' ( my family has been vegan for almost 2 years ), take time out - to reflect on 2011. Your friends, family, work, the good things in your life and the things you may need to change.

In our family - we have a strong belief that a higher power is involved - whatever - your belief system. Take some time to reflect on your life - and be thankful for the

life you have.

Blenko opens on Friday - with exceptional sale items, and few surprises at the Blenko Glass Gift Shop in Milton. www.blenkoglass.com You'll want to gift Blenko this year.

Buy local. Buy Made in USA, and when possible gift BLENKO!

Blenko Holiday Sale Reminder

Blenko Glass Company
Holiday Sale & Open House
November 25th - 27th
Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday Noon-5pm

Beginning Friday, November 25th and running until Sunday, November 27th; our 8th Annual Holiday Sale & Open House Event will offer our visitors an array of holiday inspired items as well as a variety of demonstrations and classes in which our visitors can view and/or participate in the actual glass making process (fees apply for classes).

To find a schedule of classes, and pictures of items avalibe for sale visit this link.

Nickerson

Blenko. Blenko. Blenko. Blenko. Blenko Glass. Blenko. Blenko. Blenko.
Hilary

Do you know if Nickerson did anything 'special' while at Blenko? I have 3 after Blenko
art glass sculptures and would like to purchase something made at Blenko.
What is your suggestion?
Also does he work in glass currently? If so can you provide me with an address?
George Spano


George,
I'm posting a photo of my art glass vase made by Nickerson while he was at Blenko.
Nickerson didn't have the freedom past designers were given, Blenko was faltering
by the time he arrived. His Blenko designs were made to be simple and mass produced.
After Blenko - Nickerson's abilities are apparent in his award winning glass sculptures and glass art pieces. His perfume bottles ( each taking over 34 hours to complete) are works of
art. It is rare for a piece of Nickerson ( after Blenko) to be available on EBAY.
I would suggest making direct contact with Nickerson and / or your local vintage glass vendor.
Google, John Nickerson Glass.
hjh

What's Your Color?

Hillary,

Personal question - what is your favorite blenko glass color?

Any color you consider most valuable?

Eliz C

Eliz

Ebony is one of my favorite Blenko Glass colors.

Without doing any research my best guess is 'rose' re: most valuable color.

I'm posting photos of Ebony and also Rose.

The Ebony is a complete collection ( minus 3 items) of Blenko Ebony.

The 'rose' photo is of two of my favorite items in Blenko rose.

Check out Blenko Collectors Four website for a list of all Blenko colors. Another web site

www.blenkoproject.org contains photos of Blenko Glass collections.

Hillary

Blenko Blenko Blenko

Shorty Finley

Hilary,

I'm new to your blog, new to the tri state, and new to WVa Glass. We came to

Huntington for my husbands' post doc training. We are a young couple with

limited disposable income. I enjoy your blog and several of the other Herald blogs.

My questions are:

Is there a local Blenko or WV glass collector group?

Where do you shop for the older glass?

can you show examples of Shorty Finley 's glass and is it all signed? If not how

do I know who made the glass?

Do you have an email address I might use to send photo for identification?

Thank you
Ann D

Ann- Lots of questions. No local collectors group - we are however toying with the idea of asking readers to get together either on line or at Taylor's Bookstore - if you are interested - keep your eyes open for a post in December re: getting together.

I do not shop for Blenko or glass. If I did shop I'd shop Purple Moon in Charleston Blenko Glass in Milton, The Antique Malls in South Charleston or Nitro, Lucy 's outside of Huntington on Route 60, Connie's on Clinton St in Ashland. Kissin Kate's ( located now in So Charleston), I would also phone Mountaineer Auction House and ask to be notified if / when they offer Blenko.

Shorty Finley signed all the glass he made on his lunch hour only this glass. Blenko did not allow craftsmen to sign the glass sold in the Milton store. Shorty then privately sold ( as did many of the more talented Blenko workers) this glass. Shorty currently lives in Milton .

I am loading a photo of the Shorty Finley ( glass made by Shorty on his lunch hour) glass that I own.

Good Luck! Collecting Blenko is a great way to meet new people, do more listening than shopping and your collection will increase in value. Learn more about Shorty Finley www.blenkoproject.og Blenko Project.

Holiday Gifts

5218 Sun face Decanter!
This is one of my all time favorite Blenko decanters.
I love this color - the yellow / orange variation.
This decanter is appropriat for Christmas, but I love giving him to friends during times of growth.
He brings a smile to everyones face.
You'll want to treat yourself to
A Blenako SunFace Decanter.
www.blenkoglass.com

Blenko Glass Decanter

My parents have 8 colors in this design o standing like soliders in various colors on a sofa table.

The new colors are bright and light - you'll want to visit http://www.blenkoglass.com/ to view the colors.

Electric blue is the featured colors.

This is currently available in the Blenko Glass online shop.

National Rural Health Day - November 17th

You'll want to google National Rural Health Day its a day set aside to

focus on accessibility of health care in rural areas -

Print a flyer or article from the website - share the information - speak with others about the need for

accessible and affordable health care.

Holiday Gift Giving? Think Blenko Glass.

This one was on my 'wish list' for years - it was a hard to find decanter.

I'm excited to have Blenko reproduce this.

Check the www.blenkoglass.com for a list of available colors.

Nice size, easy shipping.

Blenko Decanter

This is one of my favorite Blenko decanters - I own this one in a beautiful yellow, and in topaz. This year I plan to add a new - 2011 blue to my collection.

A very nice size, an easy to ship decanter.

Blenko Holiday Sale

Mark Your Calendar
Blenko VC's Annual Holiday Sale is Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th!
During the event,continuing thier tribute to Appalachian music with another piece and will also have a brand-new limited edition angel, signing events, a live radio remote & more.

You can also buy items online at: http://shop.blenko.com/Holiday-Items_c31.htm

Holiday Gift Giving! Blenko Decanter

Another large floor decanter - this isn't a great photo - as the stopper isn't fitting properly.

You'll want to consider this in multiple colors - Large floor decanter, available at the online gift shop!

Christmas Decanters - Blenko

Blenko Glass 3103 Genie Decanter

available in 3 or more colors in the Blenko Glass online

shop.

You'll want to start a collection of this decanter. If you add the old version you could have a total of ten different colors.

Very large floor decanter.

Lahti Open House Nov 12,13

Readers - Our good friend Keith Lahti is having an open house - we're all invited. Keith made the first piece of WV Pottery I own - its a dragon ( see photo) he designed for me as my J E Robbins first grade class was reading " Where The Wild Things Are! "


You are invited to the annual Holiday Showing
of Pottery by
Keith Lahti
November 12 & 13
Noon to 5 PM
Also featuring ceramic jewelry by Cree Lahti

Directions: I-79 to Big Otter, Exit 40 (Rt. 16). North on Rt. 16 to Nebo (about 3 miles), Right on Nebo-Walker Rd. and go 8/10 of a mile. Bear left up hill on Walker Road.
Go to top of hill & down the other side,
Driveway is on left at bottom of hill.
Phone (304) 286-2635,
(call if you need another time)


Make a weekend excursion and plan to visit McColley Studio in nearby Chloe to see the work of Connie McColley (jewelry), Tom McColley (wood bowls), Lynn Gundry (stained glass) and Margie Mills (fiber)
Info at 304 655-7429

What to Purchase for Xmas Gifts?

I know its much too soon for the purist - to think about Holiday Gift giving.

At my home, we shop for Christmas all year long, we put the gifts in the hall closet and wait until 12/14 to start wrapping.

Blenko Glass http://www.blenkoglass.com/ has 7 reproduction ( older items / molds being made in 2011) decanters.

You'll want at least one of each. We'll post photos - but I suggest you visit the Blenko Gift Shop. The gift shop is a unique store - often times you'll find sample colors and designs, end of day items all at reduced price.

For the remainder of this week we'll publish photos of Blenko Glass decanters currently available online.

We own the older version - and believe me there is very little if any difference other than color selection.

Photo: Blenko decanter available in 4 colors for under $80 plus shipping!

BLENKO RESPONDS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

Q: Whats the name of the color combination in VC ( red and blue)Can we post photos of the plates, how much do they cost, and can they do custom?

Below are Katie's response.


Subject: RE: QQQ from readers
Hello Hillary,#1: There is not a name for the red and blue frit pieces that are in the VC. #2: The plates were made by Ernie Downey who also makes some glass jewelry for the VC. He took the photos himself. It may be best to contact Ernie directly at (304) 727-6455 about having a custom piece made. Thanks,
Katie

Blenko Waterbottle - Sexy, Unique, Appropriate for All Occassions

Diane Weber a Blenko Collector living in California, sent this photo.

It's the universal gift . . . . a Blenko Glass Waterbottle. The water bottle is the oldest item in the Blenko line. It predates the first designer - Winslow Anderson. Over the years, many times, the water bottle has been altered - in an effort to make it unique, sexy, or to appeal to a wider

audience.

Its our belief and the belief of the thousands of people who yearly buy the Blenko Glass waterbottle - for gifts, for awards, the Blenko Glass Waterbottle is a perfect gift, a perfect award, a unique item. One that says " BLENKO - HAND MADE IN WV"!

Unique Blenko?

Blenko Ruby
and Blenko Rialto

November 17th - Mark Your Calendar

NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY! It's a big day for Rural Health Practitioners - if you live in the Tri - State your primary care physician, dentist, nurse practitioner are Rural Health Providers.

This is a special day to honor these service providers.

If time permits send a note, a card, bake a batch cookies for your Doc and his/her staff!

Google: National Rural Health Day!

Unique and Classic - One of a kind?

Blenko Glass - classic design by Winslow Anderson and a one of a kind piece created by Wayne Husted for my parents 25th wedding anniversary ( 1997) . These two items sit above a fireplace in my parents Charleston home.

More from the Pumpkin Festival

A blenko collector and participant at the Blenko Festival sent this photo of the largest pumpkin weighing in at 1,137 pounds. Next year - Plan to attend the Milton Pumpkin Festival.