Only 150 people will be able to purchase the WV Birthday Vase.
If you don't collect this series or aren't able to check the 'ticket' . . . come to the visitors center,
look around. . . . you'll find water bottles in a dozen or more colors - shelves filled with colorful, collectible Blenko Glass. Blenko Glass has something for everyone, trust me you will find something you 'must have' in the Visitors Center gallery of glass.
Perhaps you'll find something unique or unusual . . . .the gift shop/ visitors center frequently has end of day work, artist proof, and colors that aren't in the catalog. The "VC" is a bargain hunters paradise.
Blenko Glass shopping can be a family event, educators often saying sorting is a prerequisite to reading and writing skills. Have your children help you shop - not just at Blenko but when you do estate and vintage stores seeking Blenko. The ability to 'know' Blenko and look for 'colors' Mom and Dad want, helps a child feel useful and accomplished.
As a child I remember taking my $5 or $10 and going to Blenko yearly in search of a gift for my teacher, and on other gift giving occasions. Blenko continued to make the small paper weights and animal figures.
Seven years ago, a senior in Rhode Island wrote to say she was making her first trip to Blenko to purchase glass for all her Xmas gifts. Her initial letter stated she grew up in a home with Blenko
her Mom used the various colored glasses and bowls for holidays. In her note this week she wrote her grandniece is now collecting the mini water bottles. She ( Anna Parsley) searches for Blenko water bottles with handle - this one is much more difficult to find.
Blenko is a multi generational event. Parents, grandparents, children - can collect and shop together.
Blenko Glass is a family owned company. All Blenko Glass is made in USA, in Milton, WVa.
Blenko is made by families. Families who live and shop and volunteer in communities near Milton, WV. Shown in the photo below is Eddie Powers. Eddie 's grandfather was employed at Blenko until his death, his father 'Red' Powers served as the head of Antique Glass until his retirement.
Do you have a Blenko story? We welcome your photos and your family's Blenko Glass collecting stories. Please send to theblenkoproject@aol.com. hjh
 |
| Photo provided by Ernie Downey - Blenko Glass photographer, collector, artist, teacher. |
10 comments:
I knew Ms Phyliss for years, until Red closed the bar and food place I ate there every friday on my way back to Proctorville.
Wonderful family, Red had a lot of Blenko in the upstairs does anyone know what happen to this glass?
I would very much like to purchase the glass.
Also I need the first 5 birthday vases? Anyone have these and want to sell?
I am willing to pay up to 1,200 @for the first two
and 900 @for the remaining three .
Hilery hooked me with a collector who had most all the 90s and 4 of the 80s I started collecting 2002.
Thanks for all the help?
Jordan Mylan
Does Blenko continue to give WVU a vase yearly?
Also why doesn't Marshall have this collection?
Sue M.
Hilary I am 100% certain Eddie Powers left Blenko right after Dave Osburn.
Agree with everything you said about he and his family
and their contribution to Blenko.
Anonymous
Facts are:
Hilary or her family donated the 1980 to 2009 to WVU
my guess is:
if you make a similar donation to Marshall of your collection to date; the Blenko would yearly complete the collection.
Fact is:
Blenko Glass does not have the entire WV Birthday Glass series in their upstairs museum.
Some one or many of us should consider donating birthday pieces to Blenko. So they can have the complete collection upstairs.
Thank you for allowing me to comment.
Schools have cut the ability to travel and the funds. Until 2011 I yearly took my 6th graders to Blenko.
Perhaps you could write an education grant for Benendum to fund visits from grade school children to Blenko.
Also do an interactive on the Blenko Project web. We use the Blenko Project site in our studies frequently.
A multiple choice quiz geared to grade school would be helpful.
Paula Clendenin
Maggie
I have an extra BDay Vase
the jug and the bonnet
I would donate to Blenko if others do so also, I would request it not be sold or given away.
Paula C.
Dear Paula Clendenin,
Thanks for input. About grants, it has to be your school that will have to do it. Blenko project write a grant for your school's students to visit blenko. Perhaps you could write an education grant for Benendum to fund visits from grade school children to Blenko.
Can you email questions you want up on the website, if you do, I will add them online.
Thanks,
V
Question
Is Eddie now working at Blenko?
I have the vases you need Jordan, sending note to Hilery this day.
V.
I would like to see more photos of vintage glass on the blenko project website
and also more collectors stories.
Perhaps also a page featuring arlon bayliss and everything he has made for blenko
and a good bio for him.
Sorry you ask?
Post a Comment