Blenko Glass Keith Morris Blenko blower

Photo from Blenko Glass of Keith Morris a senior blower.

Keith is one of many talented employees who make up the Blenko Glass family.

Blenko Glass www.blenkoglass.com Made in USA.

Do you collect Newspaper and Magazine Blenko Ads?

Hillary
Will you again publish the old ads for Blenko? I lost that post.
Tom W.
Tom We've also lost all the Blog post prior to 7/2007 due to computer issue.
This is the only old Blenko paper ad I have.
Anyone collect Blenko Ads? If so please send photos so we can publish, I don't own any ads, I do collect the catalogs its been a slow process to find the older catalogs ,( I'm missing 50% ) the ads are
fun to collect and own. Good luck with collecting Tom.
HJH

Blenko Glass - After Xmas Sales

This week at Blenko you'll find everything from drinking glasses to decanters on the back shelf. Back shelf contains the marked down glass. You'll want to take your Holiday Shopping $$$ to Blenko.
Stock up for future Holiday Gift Giving.

Eddie Powers - Blenko 'blower'

Blenko Glass is a small WVa Company made up of families. Eddie Powers is one of the best
'blowers' at Blenko. His granddad worked at Blenko - in fact - his Grandad was the first work related death at Blenko. Later his Dad "Red" Powers would work a life time at Blenko, Red's last job was Director of Antique Glass sales. Red and his wife Ms. Phylis ( see www.blenkoproject.org for photos) would amass a large collection of signed and numbered unique Blenko Glass items. Many employees at Blenko are the grandchildren, children, cousins, of former Blenko employees. Blenko Glass made in WVa .

Wanted: Blenko Fruits & Veggies

Several new Blenko Collectors are seeking older Blenko fruits and veggies - if you own a Blenko pineapple, Blenko water melon, older grapes, strawberries, fruits and veggies - and you want to sell these items.
Please send price, photo if possible and your contact info to:
Theblenkoproject@aol.com and we'll forward the info to our new
collectors.
Thank you
Hillary

Happy Holiday

Merry Christmas from Heart of Glass!

FYI

#1) West Virginia Blenko Collector is seeking WV Birthday pieces #1 and #3
if you own and are willing to sell, please send your asking price and contact info to
theblenkoproject@aol.com
#2) A Blenko Blog reader brought to my attention my email and perhaps other
data has been compromised - so if you receive 'strange' or email you question with my address. Please accept my apology then promptly Return the email to theblenkoproject@aol.com . We have someone attempting to find the source and stop the spamming.
#3) If you haven't shopped at Blenko www.blenkoglass.com, or Fenton or from a local vendor. Do so TODAY! Shop local. Support your local businesses.
Thank you.
Hillary

Cook Book Fund Raiser with Glass Connection - Museum of Am Glass in Weston, WV

The Museum of American Glass in Weston, WV is putting together a cook book as a fund raiser to support the museum’s mission of preserving America’s glass manufacturing heritage. The museum is reaching out to all past and present glass workers and glass enthusiasts to submit recipes for this cook book which will not only exchange good food ideas, but also serve as a reminder of the many glass companies that produced useful and beautiful American-made glass.

When submitting your recipes include your connection and interest in glass. If you or your family worked in the glass industry; include your name, the name of the factory(s) where you worked, and approximate dates of employment as in the example: Woody Moore, Production Manager 04/2003 - 10/2004, Masterpiece Crystal in Jane Lew, WV.
For glass collectors the book will link recipe donor names with glass. For example your recipe would appear in print as contributed by your name and a note on the clubs you belong to, your glass collecting interest or whatever you want it to say about you and your glass connection.…something like “Dean Six, passionate collector of WV glass”.Do you know others who might also be interested? If so, pass the word along. The museum really wants this to be a glass community project. It is a good chance to promote your piece of the glass world in a small way and share recipes!

It would add interest if you could include what glass items are used in preparation or serving the food including information about the glass or pattern name if known. Also include a phone number or e-mail address for contacting you in case there are questions. Please send one to four submissions; send all submissions to dean.six@replacements.com

So dig out those favorite family recipes and get them in by February 15, 2012. It is for a good cause and it will be fun to see who steps up to have their glass interest or company included in the book. Any questions, please feel free to call 304-269-5006 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm.

The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day noon to 4:00pm. The balance of the year the museum is open daily noon to 4:00pm and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Admission is free. It is easily accessible off I-79 exit 99 onto US 33 West for two miles to Main Avenue. A left turn onto Main and the museum is on the left at 230 Main Avenue. Begun in 1992, the museum relocated to its present location in 2007 and occupies 12,000 square feet with over 12,000 pieces of glass on permanent display. The museum is home to the National Marble Museum and The American Flint Glass Workers Union Archives. The museum holds an annual marble festival and numerous special exhibits throughout the year. More information can be found at http://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

2012 Glass Art Society (GAS) Conference

Use the links below to learn more about GAS conference in June.
A few days ago the Glass Art Society (GAS) published the details of the 2012 Toledo Conference, June 13-16, 2012http://www.glassart.org/2012_Toledo_OH.html

And the conference brochure PDF here: http://www.glassart.org/_Library/2012_Conference/GAS-PCB12web.pdfand a fun and informative YouTube video

This is significant because the conference will be celebrating 50 years of studio art glass in the United States, which started there in 1962.

Photo from the Loft of Tammie Roberts - Chicago Collector

Blenko 404's

Blenko 404's from the Specht Collection

Hi Hillary,
I noticed it has been a while since I sent in some photos. Luckily I have a few in reserve to share so I will try to send a few over the next day or two. I will start off with this trio of Blenko 404 vases. From left to right you have the 404-M (11") in Ruby, a 404-L ( 15 1/2") in Sky Blue seed glass, and a 404-S (8 3/4") in Sea Foam. A wonderful older design that is still striking.
Enjoy
Bruce

Illinois Collector

Photo of Tammie Roberts Glass.

Tammie lives in Chicago Ill area.

Blenko in the streets of NY

Visiting Big Apple during the Holiday? Blenko Glass is there - in the sidewalk prism lights!

http://blogs.thestarphoenix.com/2011/11/30/group-wants-to-save-sidewalk-prism-lights/

Blenko Myers spiral wrapped vases and decanters

Texas Collectors Blenko Myers spiral wrapped vase and decanters

Hi Doc, For my second picture of the day I am sending this group shot of Joel Myers designed spiral- wrapped vases and decanters from 1968. From left to right you have a 6833-LT vase (10 5/8"), a 6838-LT decanter (15 3/4"), a 6843-LT vase (8 1/2"), a 6831-LT decanter (23"), and a 6836-LT decanter (13 3/4"). All but one of these I picked up as mis-lists over the past ten years.
Hope you enjoy,
Bruce

Classic Blenko

Glass Doc, Recommend one item, for my wife. Should be from the online Blenko Co. web store.
Should also be under $150 and something that is classic.
Peter Q.

Peter,
See the photo. Call Blenko or order on line.
Classic item.
HJH

Tribute to the Virginias

This week we are headed to The Greenbrier Resort for my mom's birthday, as part of the Tribute to the Virginia's package.

Select dates are available to stay at the historic West Virginia resort now through the end of February, price is less on these dates! What a wonderful opportunity to see the beauty of the WV hills in the wintertime!

Visit http://www.greenbrier.com/packages-offers/The-Tribute-to-the-Virginias-returns-to-The-Greenbrier!.aspx for more details.

Blenko glass billets

Found by a reader on a Paleontology site:

"I've recently come in to a rather large quantity of high quality Blenko glass billets. for those who don't know, Blenko was one the finest makers of glass in US for better part of a century and has only recently gone out of business. having worked a myriad of man made materials over the years i can honestly say that this stuff is the closest i have ever come to real obsidian as far as workability. i absolutely flakes like a dream! the stuff i have is in several different colors and various sizes and thicknesses. i have more than i will ever be able to use so i'm considering offering some here for a reasonable price if there's any interest. i'm open to trades as well."

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/419074/Re-Blenko-glass-new-prices-and-pics-added

Blenko WV BIrthday Pieces and Gov Moore Pieces For Sale.

Trophy Hair and antique located in Charleston - on Virginia St West is having a private sale
this week.
The sale includes many West Virginia Birthday Pieces and several pieces made by Blenko for
Gov. Arch Moore. If you don't have a complete collection of WV Birthday vases - you'll want
to phone Trophy Hair ask for Tammy
tell her Hillary told you about the private sale - the WV Birthday and the unusual pieces designed for Gov. Moore.
My experience with Trophy Hair has been very good. The glass we've bought is high quality and price was reasonable.
Phone today and ask for Tammy ( the owner of Trophy Hair).
HJH

The Bible for Blenko Collecting!

Out of print.

Difficult to find.

Expensive ( usually $135+)

However, this is the one book you must own.

hjh

Blenko Collector - The Gift of Literature

Many of my favorite designs are from early 60s to late 70s.

This is another delightful book by Leslie Pina.

HJH

WV Rural Health Conference 2011

I'm posting this -in an effort to stop emails requesting information about the event.
It was a low key conference of Rural Health Pracitioners.
We received an award - We accepted the award not for myself but for the many Cabin Creek Health Rural Providers current and past.
Cabin Creek was one of the first Rural Health agencies.
CCHC is a well respected Rural Health agency and I feel very blessed to be a part of CCHC.
Cabin Creek Health is A Health Organization that acknowledges and embraces the role of appropriate Oral Health and the relationship to whole person health.
Photeo #1 is the Award.
Photo#2 Is Dr Richard Meckstroth, WVSOD Director of Rural Health Education -
Dr Meckstroth is my dear friend- my mentor - I came to WVSOD knowing I wanted to work in an under served area, and that I wanted to educate my population in oral health. Dr Meck quickly became my hero. Dr. Meckstroth has spent the last 20 years inspiring others to work in public health. Later I would meet Martha Endre from the WV State Office of Rural Health (no photo) another person who has dedicated her professional life to recruiting good health practitioners to Rural West Virginia.
Photo:#3 - Receiving the award at the WV Rural Health Conference 2011

Gifts for Blenko Collector

Another fine example of

gift for the Blenko Collector.

HJH

Orange Bowl 2011 - WVU

Orange Bowl bound?

WVU will be playing in the Orange Bowl 2011 . If you plan to attend, or have a game watching party at home - you'll want to stop by Blenko Glass for the WVU ( college logo) decanter, bowl, glasses, pitchers.

Its exciting - The Orange Bowl! Display your colors with pride - no one does color like...Blenko Glass.

Can You Help?

Deb Allen, Meg Childers. Jeff Hornick.
If you have contact information for the above Blenko Collectors please
email theblenkoproject@aol.com.
We're updating the Blenko Project website and need to contact Ms. Allen, Ms. Childers, and Mr. Hornick.
Thank you.
Hillary

What to Buy?

Another gift giving idea.

You can often find these books on E Bay, in used books stores and on amazon.com.

HJH

Do you Sell American or Blenko Glass?

The Blenko Project www.blenkoproject.org is updating our list of sellers - if you are
a free standing store, an on line seller, or just someone with too much glass -
send your email and contact info
with a short paragraph about your store - link to your website and something about you / or what you are selling ( limited to WV Glass),
we'll add you and your contact info to the list we
provide new collectors of American Glass.
Send info to
theblenkoproject@aol.com

Blenko What to Give the Collector?

Glassdoc,

I want to give my bf a special Blenko gift. His collection is vast, what do I give?

Where do I purchase the gift?

I've looked at Purple Moon, and Vintage Glass he already has all they have.

Cheryl

Cheryl,

West Virginia Museum of Glass in Weston would be my first stop.

They don't sell glass. They do however, have books, and the museum is a treasure trove of WV Glass.

Pina books are also best gifts for collectors.

email theblenkoproject@aol.com and I'll send you a list of sellers I have used and can recommend.

Hillary

Ernie Downey

More from local artist Ernie Downey - beautiful fused glass jewelry.

See more at http://www.ernsglass.com/

Glass Plates at Blenko

You've been asking about the 'plates' and jewelry being offered at Blenko Glass's gift shop.
Attached are photos and a bio of the creator.
hjh

Ernie Downey, of St. Albans, WV, has been working with various forms of glass art for almost 40 years. He began working with stained glass in 1972, building windows, lamps and other glass items, in addition to making repairs. For many years he participated in the annual Capital City Arts and Crafts Show. About 7 years ago, he developed an interest in fused glass and has been creating various functional fused glass items such as vases, plates, bowls, jewelry, etc. He has recently expanded his fused glass to include Blenko theme photo fused plates and jewelry, both of which are available at the Blenko Visitor Center and also through his website, http://www.ernsglass.com/ . This past August, Ernie participated again in the Annual Festival of Glass at Blenko by teaching three classes on Fused Dichroic Glass Pendants. Ernie is able to create custom fused jewelry and photo fused plates plates as well, and can be contacted through his website or by email at Ernsglass@aol.com.