Last Reminder - MAG Auction

Last Reminder -  The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia will host a Benefit Auction at the Museum this Friday May 31, 2013 beginning at 7pm.
The Museum will be open from noon until sale time on the day of the auction for previewing. The volunteer auctioneer is MAG friend Rock Wilson. Some items to be sold are pure donations to MAG, others will be consigned with 20% of the hammer price being a donation fundraiser for the Museum from the consignor. There are no buyer premiums.

A Heart of Glass blog post from our blog friend Tony Patti

Hope You’re Thirsty
American glass designer and Czech glass company create 264-pound bottle

It is more than eight feet tall and holds enough liquid to fill 760 standard wine bottles.
When it was first designed in 2009, Maximus, as it is known in the Czech Republic, was the largest wine bottle in the world. You may have seen theYouTube video of its creation at Bohemia Machine, a high tech glass grinding company. CEO Jiri Trtik commissioned Charlie Parriott, an American glass designer, to create the 27-inch wide bottle for a display on the cruise liner Oasis of the Seas.
So how do you build the largest wine bottle in the world? According to Filip Kurek, who handles public relations for Bohemia Machine, it takes several stages and up to five weeks because even the simplest manipulation of the bottle is a multi-man job.
Glass geeks may appreciate that the bottle is made of seven pieces of borosilicate, a type of technical glass used to make test tubes, which are welded using an enormous glass-cutting lathe and then torched together with heated oxygen propane.
Aren’t you glad you asked?
Oh and by the way, the Maximus bottle is filled with Caymus 2007 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.   Tony Patti

www.glassblower.info

This from our blog friend Tony Patti:
Subject: [PA-NJ Glassblowers] The Glassmakers Of Herat
For those of you who told me how much you enjoyed watching the video of glassmaking in India,
below is a link to a 28-minute YouTube video of ancient glassblowing techniques in Herat, Afghanistan.

This video was filmed in 1977, but the specific practices date back at least 2,700 years, as described around 3:50 of the video,
referring to a group of clay cuneiform tablets detailing glassmaking instructions from the 7th century B.C.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMYE83DJU4Q

Noteworthy is the discussion about tools which starts around 15:30, especially when describing blowpipes
“a sawed-off rifle barrel works just fine.”

How does Bruce Specht photo glass?

Blenko  photo table setup for "Three Blenko Pitchers"

This is the accompanying photo to the "Three Blenko Ptchers" email. This is a recent photo of the background I use in most of the photos I have shot to date. Simple but effective. I did forget to identify the pieces so I will do so here. From left to right you have a Husted designed Blenko #586 in Tangerine, Anderson designed Blenko #991 in Mulberry, and another Husted designed Blenko #579 in Jade.
Enjoy,
Bruce Specht

Husted Charcoal decanters

Hi Hillary,

I am trying out a new surface for shooting photos on trying to replicate the effect that several advertising photos show from the sixties. Close but I am still not satisfied. Still thought I would send along for comments from the blog. The three pieces  are all Husted designs in Charcoal with Crystal stoppers. Starting from the left you have a Blenko # 563,  Blenko #561, Blenko #564.
Hope you enjoy,
Bruce Specht 

Blenko Glass Blenko. Blenko. Blenko.

www.blenkoproject.org
May is graduation time - - -  Gift Giving time.   If your graduate plans to attend college,  consider a gift of Blenko Glass.   Blenko has multiple items with the Marshall Logo and also West Virginia University.
   Blenko has something for everyone on your gift list -  birthday, wedding, anniversary,  Blenko has the occasion covered.  If time allows - you can have your items personalized by the Ladies at Touch of Glass.  Ask your salesperson at Blenko for directions to Touch of Glass, Hurricane, WVa.   hjh

Husted blenko minatures

Husted blenko minatures

teal sheared top CM-4, Tangerine 60-E, Jonquil 60-B pitcher, Chartreuse pinched-top CM-2, Amethyst 60-B pitcher, Tangerine 60-F pitcher, Lime sheared top CM-4.

Blenko #49 pinch decanter stoppers

Hi Hillary,
Sometimes it is in the details that I get caught up in enjoying my collection. This is just such a photo illustrating the effervescence that is captured in the stoppers of this group of Blenko #49 decanters. The "seeds" (bubbles) captured in the Chartreuse and Sky Blue pieces are just wonderful to behold.
Hope your readers find it so too,

Bruce S

Husted and minature from Bruce S

HI Hillary,

Just consider this my Chihuahua / Great Dane picture for Blenko. I ran across both of these and managed to snag both for $20 each. Yes I know the stopper is the wrong color but I have always liked that on occasion you can get by with a different color. In this case I had found the stopper a long time ago in a small antique mall in Denton Texas and had just put it aside hoping one day to find a body. Eventually I may but Charcoal is a little hard to find. For now I can enjoy it until I either find a Turquoise stopper or a Charcoal body. The Rudy piece is a Blenko miniature Blenko #3516 G (4 1/2").
Hope you enjoy,

Bruce S

Beat the DOG DAYS of Summer - Visit Blenko Glass

Nothing beats the Dog Days of Summer - Like a shopping trip!

 

Blenko Glass is open and the shelves are filled with handcrafted glass awaiting your visit.

Shop Blenko on line at www.blenkoglass.com .  Learn more about Blenko Glass and Collecting Blenko Glass visit www.blenkoproject.org.

Blenko - Seeking a New Home.

Blenko - Seeking a New Home.
Subject: Re: ringed blenko glass - 3 sets -different colors

3 sets - dark blue, light blue and green

4 glasses in a set

2-RingedOld Fashioned Tumblers  #448A                               
2-Tall Ringed Glass  #3749G

Reminder Marble Festival Tomorrow!

The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission

A Program of Saturdays On The Square ~
Co-sponsored by the
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
Ann Fissel: 304-628-3445
18TH ANNUAL WEST VIRGINIA
MARBLE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
Community Building ~ Cairo, WV
Adjacent to Town Square
The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission
Explore our town, and be sure to see the
historic old Bank of Cairo exhibits!

MAG Benifit Auction Reminder

Greetings

I am pleased to share, on behalf of The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia, the announcement of one of the great activities to be held at the Museum in Weston, WV to celebrate the 200th anniversary of hot glass making in West Virginia.

We will host a Benefit Auction at the Museum on Friday May 31, 2013 beginning at 7pm. The Museum will be open from noon until sale time on the day of the auction for previewing. The volunteer auctioneer is MAG friend Rock Wilson. Some items to be sold are pure donations to MAG, others will be consigned with 20% of the hammer price being a donation fundraiser for the Museum from the consignor. There are no buyer premiums.

ALL the glass must be made in West Virginia. Pieces to be sold will be displayed in the Museum window for the month prior to the auction.

Members of the Museum can consign up to six items per person to the auction. The request is that items consigned have an anticipated value of greater than $10. There is NO upper value limit! Call MAG in advance (304. 269.5006) to add you name and the number of pieces you wish to consign. The auction will have a minimum of 100 lots of WV glass. A cap of 150 pieces is the most that will be accepted. All pieces consigned should be delivered in person or by post to the museum no later than 6 May to insure they are imaged and appear on the auctionzip web site for the auction. Pieces are indeed welcomed as donations from which the entire sale price will be a donation to MAG.

Thank you for your continued interest and support

dean six
Executive Director
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia

Bat vase

Readers:  A frequent Blenko blog reader ask for our help in locating a Bat Vase ( see photo)
if you own one and its in need of a new home please contact  theblenkoproject@aol.com.  Thank you.

The bat vase no.5615. Summer 2005 in the blowpipe by husted

Readers:  Can we help to ID this glass?
Subject: Blenko pitcher info

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, Christine C

Glass ID Readers, Can we help?

I recently purchased this donut vase which was identified as Blenko.  I know Blenko made this style of vase, but I haven't found any that are the size of this vase --10" high and 6 1/2 wide.
Could you please help me identify this vase?
Thank you for your help.
Faye

150th WV birthday

June 20th West Virginia will be 150 years old, and as always Blenko will be making a special WV birthday piece. Below are some words about it from the designer, Arlon Bayliss. 

Written by Arlon Bayliss:

150^th Birthday Piece:

“Birthday Hearts for West Virginia”

Loving 150 years of West Virginia.

Blenko has put their heart and soul into making a special commemorative piece to mark the 150^thBirthday of West Virginia.

Designer Arlon Bayliss writes:

We wanted this piece to be extra special. As I thought about a theme for this important Blenko Birthday piece, my mind kept returning to how West Virginians hold each other in their hearts; to their generosity, hard work and love. The priceless skills of our mold-makers and blowers have led to a remarkable commemorative piece that not only celebrates love, but is made with love too.

Made of turquoise and crystal glass, to represent a mountaineer’s freedom, this eleven-inch tall, ballooning vase expands with billowing hearts from a narrow base to broad rounded shoulders, and a generous flared rim.

Blenko “hearts” West Virginia, and West Virginia “hearts” Blenko!

Note:  The above info and photos provided by Blenko Glass on 5/5/13

18th Annual Marble Festival - Cairo, WV - Saturday May 4, 2013

Reminder: The 18th Annual Marble Festival in Cairo, WV is tomorrow, Saturday May 4, 2013.

The 18th Annual West Virginia Marble Festival is set for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Community Building in Cairo, West Virginia. The location is adjacent to the town square in the town which is the historic home of three marble manufacturers. The festival is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include the sale of antique and contemporary marbles, exhibits, marble identification, books and more. Food is available on site and both admission and parking are free.

Thank you for your interest in the Museum of American Glass in Weston, WV.

Blenko Glass. Blenko. Blenko. Blenko.

Phone Blenko Glass  www.blenkoglass.com   this week to schedule classes during the WV Birthday Glass Event.   Each year Blenko offers  the limited edition WV Birthday Vase,  a series of art glass classes,  discounts on glass in the Visitors Center and also Blenko has a few 'surprises'  usually sample glass - items that won't make it into the regular line of glass.   This is a great WEEK to visit Blenko and to purchase from the Blenko Visitors Center.

For the last few years,  Blenko has graciously offered limited edition items for on line purchasers,  Blenko realized  Milton WV is not centrally located and many of us can not visit more than once a year.  The management decision to offer 'on line' specials was a good one!   Support the decision and support Blenko Glass by purchasing your Blenko from Blenko Glass when possible.    

Thank you for shopping Blenko.  For Collecting Blenko and for supporting The Blenko Project and Blenko 'Heart of Glass' Blog.   hjh

FRAMED CARDS - BLENKO

From the Talented Diane Weber:

I have been making these cards for a year or so, for other people, but had
never made a set for myself.  I finally did, and with a really good coupon
for Michael's framing department, got the set framed.  I think it turned out
really well.

I would love to see what others have done with their cards.



Diane

Readers: What have you done with your Blenko Cards? 

I often send them as thank you notes, and also have one on display in my home office.