Ernie Downey - Glass Artist . Heart of Glass Blog

What could be more delightful than Sterling Silver Combined with BLENKO GLASS.   Yes.   You are gonna love the creations of Ernie Downey.  

Ernie Downey like most of the people we feature in  this blog,  LOVE Blenko Glass.

    Ernie takes this passion one step further,   he volunteers to photograph glass for Blenko, he teaches classes. He is an accomplished artist - who combines his love of quality and Blenko Glass to create ear rings and pendants.    Ernie like many of you is devoted to Blenko Glass.

    Ernie uses Blenko Glass in many of his projects -  we've featured his jewelry in the past.  We've mentioned owning several pieces for many years - this is not costume jewelry.  It is quality, handcrafted items - using Blenko Glass.  

    You'll want to visit Ernie's webpages to learn more.

Not Blenko - But info from Mountain Rita - Click on the Blue script. Traveling West Virginia!

10 Things Nobody Tells You About West Virginia Fodor's Travel ... in France, you might be surprised to learn they only were made possible thanks to Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia—a company that, ...

The Blenko Project - Needs Volunteers

The Blenko Project.  A non profit group whose sole purpose to to raise promote WVa Glass and raise awareness re:  W.Va.'s history of making Glass.  Promote purchases of   the most beautiful handcrafted glass items made in W.V   While we admit Blenko Glass is our all time favorite - and the only remaining factory glass in W.Va.    We are aware of the history of WVa Glass and the current smaller Art Glass Producers.   We are an inclusive group - who value all handcrafted glass.

Volunteers:
Research and identify glass for readers
Website Design ( small hourly stipend)
Write about your Glass Collection or what to collect
How to USE Glass in your home or office.

Interested:  Contact us:
TheBlenkoProject@aol.com

Pancreatic Cancer Event at Power Park - Charleston, W.Va. July 31st

On this  evening, the Power will be hosting the Greensboro Grasshoppers. There will be special activities during the evening honoring and remembering all those affected by pancreatic cancer.

The game will begin at 7:05 pm. Fans will have the opportunity to take a chance on winning a game-worn autographed jersey from the 2018 Purple Power Night.

For each ticket purchased in advance, proceeds will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Annette Fetty-Santilli at 304-621-3648. All pancreatic cancer survivors will receive free tickets to the game, by contacting Fetty-Santilli.

Other “first pitches” will be thrown out by Timmy Eads of Buffalo, the WVU Mountaineer Mascot; John Homburg of Charleston, a two-year pancreatic cancer survivor; Megan Cole, a one-year pancreatic cancer survivor of Clay, Lauren Talotta, morning anchor for WCHS-TV in Charleston; and, Dr. Kelli Smaidi of Charleston, Mrs. Country Roads, who lost her mom to pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is expected to rise to the second leading cause by 2020. Pancreatic cancer is one of the nation’s deadliest cancers with a five-year survival rate of just 9%. An estimated 73% of patients will die in the first year of their diagnosis.

During the evening, there will be a video presentation honoring pancreatic cancer survivors and those who have been lost to the disease. If anyone would like to have a loved one honored, they can contact Fetty-Santilli.

For more information about pancreatic cancer or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, persons may refer to www.pancan.org or the Facebook group page: West Virginia – Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Persons may also email: asantilli@pancanvolunteer.org or call 304-621-3648.

We are so fortunate to have THREE pancreatic cancer survivors throwing out "first pitches" @ PURPLE POWER NIGHT on WEDNESDAY, JULY 31!

One-year SURVIVOR Megan Cole of Clay, WV

Five-year SURVIVOR Teresa Harris of Junior, WV

Two-year SURVIVOR John Homburg of Charleston, WV

#WageHope #DemandBetter #PurplePowerWV #MomentsMatter

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Blenko Glass. Heart of Glass Blog. Dalle Sale July 31-AUG3

Folks often ask what can you do with the Dalle?   In my parents yard they are used as edging in three dozen flower beds.  At my home the Dalle is used on top of a cinder block wall which keeps my yard private and safe from the public alley in behind.
Mr. Bill Blenko used Blenko Glass as a shower wall in his Milton Wva home.
   The use of Blenko Dalle is limited only by your imagination and pocket book.  With this sale - you can't afford not to purchase Blenko Dalles

383745 7th Avenue

Huntington, West

At the Bahnoff Resturant - (745 7th Ave.)  A german restaurant in Huntington, W.Va.  they are used in the patio wall.


Visit BLENKO GLASS www.blenkoglass.com  during the  4-Day Dalle Sale; Wednesday, July 31 through Saturday, August 3!
 
During this sale, dalles located in our Dalle Barn will be discounted and priced as low as $4 each! Along with this, customers will also be able to shop for dalles in our Architectural department and the more that you spend the more you save! Spend over $150 on dalles and save 5% off your purchase, spend over $300 on dalles and save 10% off your purchase or spend over $500 on dalles and save a maximum of 15% off your purchase.
 
These slabs of colored glass are great for Dalle de verre projects, kiln casting projects and it is becoming increasingly popular to use them in Architectural Block projects. This is a great opportunity to save and stock up for future architectural projects! Color availability may be limited. Stop in early for the best selection of dalles.
 
Dalle Sale Hours
Wednesday, July 31: 9am - 4pm
Thursday, August 1: 9am - 4pm
Friday, August 2: 9am - 3pm
Saturday, August 3: 9am - 3pm

Heart of Glass Blog - Blenko Glass. New Water Bottles

384 Dollop Water Bottle - Ice Blue w/Paw Paw

$76.00

In the  twenty plus years I've been a serious Blenko Addict I have yet to meet a person who

isn't appreciative of the Blenko Glass Water Bottle.

   Most recently Blenko is adding new and exciting colors to the Water Bottle (384). 

This water bottle is the oldest item in the Blenko Glass line.

Blenko has been making Glass for more than 100 years!

Looking for the 'perfect' one of a kind gift?   Think  BLENKO GLASS  www.blenkoglass.com  

Blenko Glass - New and Exciting Designs. DALLOP

5019 Dollop Bouquet Vase 'Tall' - Ice Blue w/Paw Paw

The items are offered in this Dallop -  I'm loving the design -
 
You'll wanna order all 3.   This item won't last long.
www.blenkoglass.com

Photo Blenko Glass.

One Year Ago Today - Blenko . Heart of Glass. Everette 'Shorty' Finley

This obit appeared in the news July 8th 2018.   

EVERETT JUNIOR "SHORTY" FINLEY, 92, of Milton, passed away July 4, 2018. He was born January 4, 1926, in Milton, a son of the late Harry and Anna Roberts Finley. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo Meadows Finley. He was a retired glass blower from Blenko Glass, having worked from 1944-1989. He was elected to Milton City Council 1987-1991, a member of the Milton Lions Club and a member of the Glass Art Association. He is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law, Harry Ray Finley of Milton and Ronnie Eugene and Iva Finley of Milton; four grandchildren, Timmy Finley, Kimberly Chapman, Chris Finley and Anna Shull; many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wallace Funeral Home, Milton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2018, at Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, by Pastor Mark Finley.

Shorty Finley was my friend.  I met him as a young child visiting Blenko.   He retired but frequently returned to work or volunteer.  Shorty Finley loved BLENKO, the Blenko Family and last I saw him
he was in his 80s and was making the lamp pictured below - he made three that day.  I don't know if he blew glass after this.  I do know, even on this day it was against his doctor wishes.

As a sophomore in college I began the BLENKO PROJECT, Shorty was very excited about my project and most willing to share his memories, photos, and life experiences at Blenko.    I saw Shorty weekly during my time at the University.
Shorty was unassuming - yet very accomplished.  He was the cover of Glass Magazines, he presented his skills at colleges, received awards from Govenor Rockefellar,  he became friends and admired the Blenko Glass designers - perhaps because he was one of the 5 'best'.  
My family and I. enjoyed visiting his small farm several miles from his Milton home.  We  like spending 'time' with Shorty.  Shorty loved his family - spoke often of his wife and 'his boy's' and their children.
I feel very blessed to have considered Shorty my friend.    ( photos from Blenko Project collection)
Blenko Glass has a history of developing talent, and they continue to have extraordinarily talented craftsmen.