Snowmen. Blenko Glass Company

Blenko Glass Snowman 

For years you've heard me talk about the Blenko Glass Snowmen.   They began as a lunch hour creation - that workers gave to each other and their family members.
Then Blenko  Glass very wisely added them to the line .
Les Womack ( retired Factory Foreman ) was one of the best creators of snowmen and angels.
Until the mid 2000's he returned yearly to make enough of these for the Xmas season.
Currently Blenko has many craftsmen who make these Holiday Figures. 

PINK ICE is Back! Blenko Glass Company

Due to high customer demand, the PINK ICE is being made again.
Check www.blenkoglass.com  to view the many items currently in stock.

Pink Ice - note my color photo is good - it's a much richer color.

Blenko Glass Company. WVU and Marshall Logo Moonshine Vases

In West Virginia we are blessed to have several Universities.  Two with outstanding football and basketball teams.   The Blenko Glass logo items are frequently seen a pre and post game parties.  If you don't own the Blenko Glass WVU or Marshall Moonshine Vase.  Add it to your collection while the supply last.

Blenko Glass Company and Kelsey Murphy - Match Made in Heaven

Blenko Glass is slowly stepping into the creation of a line of stunningly hand carved glass objects.

Internationally famous cameo glass artist Kelsey Murphy is becoming a partner with Blenko to create a very limited number of these hand crafted gems. Kelsey has carved on glass from all over the world but has long favored West Virginia glass. Some elaborate multiple layered pieces she created when at Pilgrim Glass do sell for tens of thousands of dollars each.

Blenko will work with Kelsey as she works magic with her art, carving it deeply into the surface of our glass, The result is unique, one of a kind objects. We do not anticipate creating more than 100 pieces, maximum, in any given year. The prices on our initial offerings will be between $500 and $700 dollars for each hand signed art work. We will have a modest beginning with only a few vases of one of our jewel-tone solid colors over crystal. We have already blown the next generation of objects for Kelsey to carve, they will be two-colored, hand carved top hats!

All of the Kelsey Blenko cameo will be hand signed Kelsey/Blenko and serially numbered with entry into her registry of all the pieces she has ever made. Recently Blenko hosted a film crew from PBS that is working on a documentary on Kelsey and her highly sought glass. Filmed at Blenko was our skilled artisans crafting layered pieces to her specifications for cameo carving. The documentary should be shown in 2017 and we anticipate a wave of interest in the wake of the film.

With such time consuming Kelsey carving and robust Blenko color we are confident these will open the doors to yet one more dimension of the versatility and exceptional quality of handmade Blenko. We are confident you will share our enthusiasm once you see these art works. The first pieces will be available in a few weeks. There will be no more than six total vases in the first offering, each unique

Thank You to Travis Mounts for this post. 

PUMPKINS. Blenko Glass Company.

Blenko Glass - Harvest

Blenko Glass. PUMPKINS!

October Blush" 9355L Large Pumpkin
Offered for Fall 2016 are our 6'' October Blush pumpkins. Made by layering two different gathers of glass, this is an entirely distinct look from all prior Blenko pumpkins. Each has a hand applied green glass stem atop the fading orange to amber over milk white interior pumpkin. Each is marked Blenko and 2016. The interior glass reacts with the surface color creating minor striations and swirls of great intrigue in the subtle shading. A sincerely marvelous piece of handmade American glass. Available for a limited time only. Do not delay.

New Blenko Glass Pumpkin 

Blenko Glass Company. Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle Discs

Our recent addition to the Blenko line of animals is this swimming sea turtle with small fish swimming near him. Available as a non-drilled item or as a hand-drilled item to create a hole for hanging. As a suncatcher or window ornament these are striking. As a flat desk ornament they are fun as well.  They can even serve as a beach themed tree ornament. 2.5” to 3.5” in diameter. Each is different due to the handmade process. 
Tangerine color may vary, no two items are exactly alike.


If you own water front property we suggest having these drilled and hanging in a slider door window.
It doesn't have to be ocean front - a house on the Kanawha River  or a Lake.

The Blenko Glass sea turtle also can be used as part of a hostess gift for owner of the vacation place you are using.

 

What to Give the Sportman in Your Life? Blenko Fish

Have you noticed that as you age - 
Gift giving is often more difficult,  as everyone is older and has all the "stuff" they need.
You may have this problem in your own family.  Or with your significant other. 

Xmas is coming.   I'm going to suggest you consider the FISH at Blenko as an appropriate
gift for all the sportsmen in your life.
In West Virginia as well as most surrounding state - fishing is an important pass time.

Blenko Glass has always created FISH,  since the 60's.   Last year Arlon Bayliss used FISH in his WVA Birthday Vases.   This year Blenko has created unique one of a kind - you have the ability to choose the colors in your fish....it's a rare opportunity to have an item created especially for the special person in your life.
I'm posting this NOW - as it takes 4-6 weeks to receive your FISH.
You'll want to go to the Blenko Glass website and place an order for fish.
Shown: 
2916 Fish w/Assorted Frit (Pulled Feather)
An item once only offered in our Visitor Center Gift Shop, now available online! A 10’’ long, 6’’ tall Crystal form enhanced by various colors of frit to create a beautiful, one of a kind fish form. This item is made using the pulled feather technique where the frit coloration is pulled through the fish's body.
At this time Fish are offered as an assorted item. Colors are chosen by the makers and vary when ordering online. Approx $178.

What to do with the BLENKO?

Hillery,
  I recently inherited 10 boxes of Blenko Glass.  I am not a collector.  Suggestions for how to display or sell.
Maggie V.

Maggie,
My parents were / are also Blenko Glass fanatics, they are in the process of downsizing.  They decided to donate all duplicates and items that were not special to the Union Mission,  YWCA, and Goodwill .  I think a box or two also went to the Habitat Resale Store.
   Any good charity will happily accept your glass donation.  If you are donating special items ( include the print out re: value of each)  also any information you may have received from the person who gifted you the glass.
    Selling is another option.  You can sell for yourself on EBAY or contact a local ( to your area)
consignment shop.
    Blenko Glass is a highly recognized and highly valued glass.  You'll find buyers who want your items.
    You mentioned displaying.   I'm posting a few photos of Blenko used in the home.  I'm not a big fan of shelves of Blenko.  I prefer rotating decorative items.

Blenko Glass  on display in living room ( pink glass is Osburn Glass) 

    If this isn't the information you are seeking, or you need individualized help please email  theblenkoproject@aol.com.

Blenko Glass - Center The NEW Blenko Fish,  on either side Bayliss Fish

Breast Cancer Awareness. Blenko Glass Co.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of all who have fought or are fighting this disease and their loved ones, we are producing this Special Edition pink pumpkin for a limited time. Approx. 4.5” dia., 4.5” tall
$5.00 from the sale of each pumpkin will be donated to a local breast cancer center.
Shipping and handling charges will be added at the time of shipment and can not be estimated. 

• Item #: Pink 9355S

  

  This is yet another Blenko Glass creation in PINK to Support Breast Cancer Awareness
  
  Breast Cancer has affects everyone,  your Moms, your Aunts, your Sisters, your Friends,  why not offer the gift of glass as a gift of support and hope for the future? 
  
  Thanks to Travis / Blenko Glass Facebook for photo and description.
  If you don't follow Blenko Glass on facebook - check them out.
  Also the Blenko Glass Collectors .
  
  For additional information about Blenko Glass
  consult the www.blenkoproject.org Blenko Project.

GAS Glass Art Society

GLASS ART SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 2017 MEMBER JURIED EXHIBITION
AT 46TH ANNUAL GAS CONFERENCE IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIAMember artist applications accepted from September 15-November 15, 2016

 

September 15, 2016 – The Glass Art Society (GAS), in partnership with Glass Wheel Studio, is pleased to announce a call to eligible member artists for the 2017 GAS Member Juried Exhibition. The exhibition will take place from May 27– July 16, 2017 at Glass Wheel Studio in Norfolk, Virginia, and will be a highlight of the 46^th annual GAS conference, Reflections from the Edge: Glass, Art, and Performance. 

The GAS Member Juried Exhibition is designed to showcase the excellence and diversity of work created by Glass Art Society members. A professional jury will determine featured works on the basis of originality, craftsmanship, and the creative exploration of the material of glass. Prizes will be awarded to select artists.

“The Glass Art Society has over 2,000 members from all over the world. Many are incredibly gifted artists that work in a wide range of glass traditions and innovative techniques,” says Pamela Koss, executive director of the Glass Art Society. “We are absolutely thrilled to be showcasing the work created by our accomplished membership at next year's GAS Member Juried Exhibition in Norfolk."

“Glass Wheel is excited to partner with the Glass Art Society for this unprecedented juried exhibition,” says Cheryl White, director of Glass Wheel Studio. “We cannot wait to share the work of GAS’s many talented member artists with the thriving community of glass lovers here in Norfolk.”

Applications from eligible GAS members at the Individual Membership level and above, working in all glassmaking processes and those documenting glass-related performance pieces, will be accepted from September 15-November 15, 2016 through the Glass Art Society website at http://www.glassart.org/MemberExhibition.html. Please see the webpage for details regarding eligibility, size restrictions, shipping, sales, entry fee and additional guidelines.

Blenko Glass Company. Bridge of Honor

The Bridge of Honor, connecting Pomeroy, Ohio, and Mason, W.Va., glows in full illumination Sunday night over the Ohio River. The cobalt blue lights, installed earlier this year by the West Virginia Department of Transportation (which is responsible for maintaining the bridge) after “being dark” since March 2014, had to be repaired instead of replaced because the cobalt blue color that signifies the military Purple Heart is no longer mined and lenses for the lights could not be found. Blenko Glass, in Milton, W.Va., managed to replicate the color and produce a limited number for the bridge. The original lights, according to WVDOT, burst because of the bulb heat, which reaches in excess of 200 degrees. The heat generated by the bulbs could not escape because of the original covers. Warren Skaggs, repair and design engineer with the WVDOT, told Ohio Valley Publishing earlier this year that each heat-tempered bulb was replaced, as well as several ballasts. Skaggs said the bulbs have a four-year life.
Info sent from Blenko Glass Collector Todd E. 
From his local weekly paper

New Blenko Design Series

We received these photos and text from Travis Mounts the web master for blenko glass company facebook: 

Blenko is pleased to announce the initial offering in an entirely new design series. Created by Blenko’s newest designer Aaron Harvey, the line will include an entire set of chess piece inspired decanters. The initial piece is a pawn, with the traditional shape of large spherical top and a colonnade–like form. Each piece made in the chess set will be offered in crystal with cobalt accents and cobalt with crystal accent. The pawn measures roughly 10.5 inches in height. It bears all the hallmarks of handmade glass including a rough pontil on the base and will bear the sand carved name of Blenko and the year. The stopper for the pawn is an oversized, contrasting color hollow ball that sits atop the piece

The line, titled Checkmate, will include the suite of pieces in a full chess set. Pawn, knight, bishop, rook, king and queen are in planning and are to be produced over the next year to year and a half. A grouping of three differing Checkmate decanters make a strong visual statement. For the intense chess aficionado an entire oversized chess set could be assembled in both crystal and cobalt and a game played.

Designer Harvey is a graduate of Concord University in Athens, WV. The Checkmate line is his first expansive line for Blenko. The pawn is currently in production and available for immediate shipment. It retails for $78 and is available at shop.blenko.com