Joel P. Myers Glass Designer - Blenko Glass

Hilery
I have a question.  Keep hearing Joe Myers designed the glass garden.  What makes it a glass garden and what did he design?   Is this the area near duck pond.
George Spencer
I'll look for answer


George,

I apologize for the delay in responding.  We are about 6 months behind with Blenko Project Mail.
   The wood structure,  the glass inserts in the wood structure were designed by Joel Myers when he worked with Blenko Glass.   The 'bones' of the glass garden ( the plants and trees)  were selected by Marion Blenko - wife of Bill Senior and Mother to Bill Junior.  Mrs. Blenko was an avid gardener and loved exotic and unusual plants.  
    Blenko is currently in the process of enhancing the garden with glass brick and other items made by Blenko Glass. 
    May I suggest you visit - by walking inside the gift shop - thru the glass slider and out into the garden.  Looking over the chain link fence doesn't allow one to view the special parts of this garden.
HJH

Blenko Glass Garden ( one corner) Photo  Blenko Glass

Blenko. In The Blenko of An Eye. Photo by Bruce S. Blenko Glass Company www.blenkoglass.com

Collection of Bruce and Shelly S. - Texaqs 

Hi Hillary,

I had to call in some help on identifying this piece of Blenko. I stumbled upon the Ruby piece and took a gamble that it was Blenko. The color alone is so distinctive but it also had the pontil mark and "feel" of Blenko. Light weight, quality work that just said it was probably their work. I posted it to another site and one of the readers sent back a catalog page from the thirties that confirmed my suspicions. It was indeed a Blenko #351 flat sides vase. Maybe your readers will have the same luck when they are out "hunting".

Hope you enjoy,
Bruce S.

Blenko Glass Company. Something For Everyone!

MJ4 Medium Moonshine Face Jug- $124

This 8.5’’ tall bright opaque Yellow jug is designed with a wide Cobalt Blue smile, elongated nose and eyes. This medium sized jug has a loop handle is Clover Green.

Item is marked Blenko and dated. (Walter Blenko Jr.'s Signature can be added for an additional $10)

To order call 304-743-9081.  May be ordered on line from www.blenkoglass.com

Sample - Many unique face faces available


Thanks to Suszanne for this photo and info. 

Blenko Glass Myers # 6516 Decanter in Honey

Myers # 6516 Decanter in Honey

HI Doc,
Moving ahead in time we come to my favorite designer Joel Philip Myers. This pair of decanters is one of his that I find especially pleasing. These are Blenko #6516 decanters in Honey. This design was produced for several years by Blenko but the earlier pieces have the distinction of having the taller stoppers which to my eye are more visually pleasing. The piece on the left is plain Honey while the other is Blenko's wonderful crackle. Shelley enjoys the Honey crackle so much that it is on the table next to the TV with its own lighting to make the crackle really sparkle at night. I refer to these as the spindle stopper decanters.

Hope you enjoy as well,
Bruce S.

Happy Father's Day!

The Heart of Glass Blog - wishes a Happy Father's Day to all Father's.  

IF  you haven't bought a gift - Blenko Glass is open today .....or use on line ordering  www.blenkogoass.com  just print a  photo of the object you ordered and include it in the card  for your Dad.

West Virginia Birthday Vase 2016 by Arlon Bayliss for Blenko Glass

The line for purchase often begins 2-3 days prior to the sale.  If you plan to purchase consider coming no later than early am on June 18th.  Blenko always sells out within 2 hours after opening.
These vases sell for double the Blenko Glass sale price shortly after - on Etsy and EBay.  We hope you are successful in your attempt to purchase at Blenko Glass - Milton, WVa. 

2016 - Blenko WVa Birthday Vase - designed by A. Bayliss  Hi Hillary,

       

Blenko Glass - 2016 WV Birthday Vase - The line to purchase begins....

Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece 2016

"Patience’s Prize"  Sold Saturday 18th ONLY

From the careful pursuit of brook trout in cool West Virginia streams to bobbing for bluegills in its countless lake’s and ponds, fishing brings peace and joy to old and young alike.

Designer, Arlon Bayliss is a keen fisherman; as are many of Blenko’s workers. Bayliss says, “Their skill and patience extend beyond glassmaking. We've shared a decade’s worth of West Virginia Pieces and fish tales to prove it!”

This year’s Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece, “Patience’s Prize” is a tall, fish-shaped, flattened vase with a flared tail opening in Spring Green cased with Jonquil. A dynamic curve in its body suggests a leaping fish.

Limited to a total of 153 numbered pieces.

Pre-Event Pieces 2016   June 17th TODAY 

"The One That Got Away" and "The Other One That Got Away"

Two companions to this years West Virginia Birthday piece, “The One That Got Away” and “The Other One That got Away” were designed by Arlon Bayliss to continue our homage to fishing. “The One That Got Away" is blown in Jonquil with a mid-body fade, and “The Other One That Got Away" is patterned with a blue, green, opal white frit mix. 

Blenko Glass Vintage Blenko by Myers

Myers   #6742

Hi Doc,
This is the other photo that was created for my family friend in Georgia. Of course it had to be a Myers grouping. I just really enjoy this very heavy decanter design. For those of you who have not handled this piece before it is indeed one of the heaviest pieces that I have handled. The solid crystal bottom of the decanter as well as the solid airtwist stopper makes this a stout piece. This is Myers Blenko #6724 in Honey, Olive Green, and Turquoise. Blenko also produced this decanter in Lemon and Tangerine but in those two designs the stoppers do not have the color of the body in the stopper. Instead they just have a plain crystal stopper with the airtwist. The catalog also notes that the piece is not available in "Plum". That would have been a wonderful color combination to me, but alas it just didn't occur.

Hope you enjoy,
Bruce S.

 Please remember Friday night - and Saturday AM
The Blenko celebration of WVa 's Birthday 

June 20th Happy Birthday West Virginia from Blenko Glass and Arlon Bayliss

Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece & companion  pieces

Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece 2016

"Patience’s Prize"

From the careful pursuit of brook trout in cool West Virginia streams to bobbing for bluegills in its countless lake’s and ponds, fishing brings peace and joy to old and young alike.

Designer, Arlon Bayliss is a keen fisherman; as are many of Blenko’s workers. Bayliss says, “Their skill and patience extend beyond glassmaking. We've shared a decade’s worth of West Virginia Pieces and fish tales to prove it!”

This year’s Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece, “Patience’s Prize” is a tall, fish-shaped, flattened vase with a flared tail opening in Spring Green cased with Jonquil. A dynamic curve in its body suggests a leaping fish.

Limited to a total of 153 numbered pieces.

Pre-Event Pieces 2016 

"The One That Got Away" and "The Other One That Got Away"

Two companions to this years West Virginia Birthday piece, “The One That Got Away” and “The Other One That got Away” were designed by Arlon Bayliss to continue our homage to fishing. “The One That Got Away" is blown in Jonquil with a mid-body fade, and “The Other One That Got Away" is patterned with a blue, green, opal white frit mix. 

 

 

The BLENKIO( GLASS  WVa Birthday Vase Collection started in 1980  each year more than 150 people line up - often arriving a week prior to the sale.  The vase is sold out within the hour.

Photos of the  2015 Blenko Glass Event - Most everyone has been in line for more than 12 hours.  More than l/2 spend the night discussing their Collections - catching up with one another -  Many WV Bday Collectors see one another only at this event. 

IF you are new to Collecting BLENKO GLASS -  we suggest you start with the BAYLISS designed Birthday Vases.   The Blenko Project   (the blenkoproject@aol.com) keeps a list of WV Birthday Vases seeking new home.  If you are missing one or two - or a dozen  we may be able to help. 

Eppie and John Boles - like my parents began collecting in 1980 and have the entire collection. 

Blenko Glass predesigner

Hi Hillary,
As you are aware by now I really love the earlier Blenko designs. These are two more from the collection that have found their way to Texas over the last fourteen years of collecting. On the left is a nice example of a Blenko #353 urn vase in Ruby with a similar vintage Blenko #352 in Cobalt Blue. It is a little hard to make out the optics in the ruby piece from this photo but they add a wonderful effect to this vintage piece when it is displayed in natural light. Both of these pieces are approximately nine inches tall.

Hope you enjoy,
Bruce S.

B & S Specht  - Texas Collection 

Blenko Glass - Limited Edition Vase in Honor of WVa s Birthday 2016

2016 WV Birthday Vase Center -  Limited Edition - Sold Saturday ONLY at Blenko Glass.
People usually arrive very early to obtain this vase.  June 18th
Companion pieces go on sale June 17th.

One Week Until Blenko's WV Birthday Vase is available...June 17-18

Blenko Glass - WV Birthday Vase 2016 

Blenko Glass' WVa 2016 B-day Vase ( center) and companion pieces.

The WVa Birthday 2016 Vase will be sold on Saturday June 18th - the companion pieces will be sold on Friday Night June 17th. 
Questions :  Search the Blenko Glass website  www.blenkoglass.com 

Predesigner - Blenko Glass Vases

Hi Hillary,
Thought I might send a few more photos along today. It has been extra stormy this spring here in Texas which leaves me having to look at the older photos to share with the blog. Since the light is not adequate today for shooting new compositions I am taking some time to send along these "Oldies but Goodies". Hope you enjoy.

This is a pair of Predesigner vases. On the left is a Blenko 402S (9") with its sister piece Blenko 403S(8"). Beautiful examples of Blenko's earlier work in Crystal with green "drips".

Bruce

Texas Collection - Blenko 

Blenko Glass - West Virginia Birthday Vase - 2016

Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece

To view all the WVa Birthday Vase www.blenkoproject.org .  To learn more about Blenko Glass and Blenko Glass collecting visit the Blenko Glass Facebook and the Blenko Glass Collectors on facebook.

www.blenkoglass.com  to see the current catalog.

Blenko West Virginia Birthday Piece 2016

 

Patience’s Prize  ( Bayliss is calling the 2016 Bday Vase)

 

From the careful pursuit of brook trout in cool West Virginia streams to bobbing for bluegills in countless lakes and ponds, fishing brings peace and joy to old and young alike.

 

Designer, Arlon Bayliss is a keen fisherman as are many of Blenko’s workers. He says, “Their skill and patience extend beyond glassmaking, there’s a decade’s worth of West Virginia Pieces and fish tales to prove it!”

Blenko Glass - WV Birthday Vase - A Tradition of Exellence

The WVa Birthday Celebration ( June 20th is the official Bday of State of WVa)  Blenko hold the Friday - Saturday Blenko WVa Birthday Event on the Friday and Saturday prior to the 20th
of June each year.

On Friday night ( this is a new addition - about 3 years old)  Blenko is open late and has someone available to sign glass...they also sell the companion pieces to the BIRTHDAY VASE.  Last year as you may recall it was a leaf vase and 2 smaller leaf vases - not limited in number - but available for a limited time were sold.  This year 2 smaller fish will be available for purchase.  The smaller items are less expensive than the WV Birthday Vase.  

Making the Blenko - WVa Birthday Vase isn't an easy process - the vase has been produced for nearly 40 years - since 1980 - which means a good number of designs have been previously used.

The early birthday designs those of Don S.  are very simple - most are all or 90% crystal  the first ones have the wva mountains in the vase.  Later Don S made a basket of cobalt and crystal ( this one is difficult to find as the handles are fragile)  and a vase perfect for flowers ( this one is a favorite of my  Dad and many Rose exhibitioners and growers). 

The last vases have been designed by Arlon Baylis - Arlon much like Don S.  values the development and design of this vase.
     The designer is always limited to a design that can be produced by the factory.  Designing for factory - to be made in mass ( over 100) production - means the design must not only be beautiful - it must be one that can be produced by the current workers.  Blenko prides itself on having a very skilled workforce.  
     The mold maker at Blenko Glass - still carves the mold for Bayliss' designs - using cherry or oak trees often cut locally.   Blenko's mold maker is a treasure.   His skills are exceptional.

     Each new creation begins with a design -  then a mold  ( to be continued).

An ideal - an artist drawing

Visual Image - Artist

Artist drawings 

BLENKO GLASS - Hank Adams

Hank Adams,  much like Anderson, Husted, Myers and Carter went on to have wonderful careers AFTER Blenko Glass.  
Blenko Glass is factory glass and this limits a designer to create what the "factory" can produce and produce in quantity.   If you view the websites for Myers, Husted, Carter and Adams and Arlon Bayliss  - you'll see what these great designers are capable of.
Blenko has attracted exceptionally talented designers.  Men who were willing to work outside the box.  Thee designers added the factory glass workers in honing their skills.
It also allows us - the middle class - working folk to purchase a glass item designed by these outstanding designers....at a cost we can afford.  HJH

 

Hank Adams - Not Blenko 

Hank Adams was a student of Dale Chihuly at the Rhode Island School of Design. He graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a B.F.A. in painting in 1978, and continued his education at Tennessee Technological University, Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and Pilchuck Glass School in Washington. Continuing to work as an independent artist, Hank also served as head designer for the Blenko Glass Company for six years.
Hank has also worked consistently over the years as an educator at schools and universities ranging from the Toledo Museum School; UrbanGlass in Brooklyn, NY; U. of Hawaii; the Center for Creative Studies, in Detroit; the Ox-Bow School, Chicago Art Institute, in Saugatuck, MI; and the Pilchuck School, in Stanwood, WA. Adams has been awarded three Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, and is a recent recipient of a fellowship award from the New York State Arts Council. Hank also currently sits on the Creative Glass Center of America Advisory Board.
His work has been featured in numerous one-man exhibitions ranging from J&L Lobmeyr Glass in Vienna, Austria; Remnant: Hank Adams, at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY; the Elliot Brown Gallery in Seattle; Dorothy Weiss Gallery in San Francisco; Heller Gallery in NYC; Marx-Saunders Gallery in Ohio, and the Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI. Adams’ work was also selected for Creativity and Collaboration: Pilchuck Glass School at 30 in Seattle, WA, in 2000. Other group shows range from the triennial traveling exhibition, Americans in Glass, to World Glass Now, held in 1988 at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Sapporo, Japan; and the Glass Skin, a traveling exhibit organized by the Corning Museum of Glass. Hank also worked on Fellowship at the Creative Glass Center of America in 2001.