Response to Your Question! - Art Forms - BLENKO

The question was... 'Hillary do you appreciate any other 'art forms'? ' My obsessions are many and they are diverse. I love vintage cars, Bichon Frise, Warhol, most all things from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Music from the 70s and 80s and very old classics. I like learning about 'new' things - or old things that are new for me. Rarely do I see a glass artist whose work I don't appreciate. I think perhaps, I just love beautiful and simple things. IF you haven't tried BLENKO - consider visiting the factory. BLENKO IS BEAUTIFUL and the lines are classic, organic, and occasionally a little whimsy. BLENKO colors are outstanding. Blenko Glass is a decorators dream . . . .design, color, form. Its all there . . . .waiting at BLENKO GLASS, Milton, West Virginia phone 304 743 9081

Photos from the WARHOL MUSEUM - Pittsburgh, Pa.

STAIN GLASS MAKING Classes available at BLENKO!

Don Lemley - the Antique Glass Supervisor at BLENKO GLASS offers STAIN GLASS Making Classes. Interested? Phone 743 9081 to get the schedule or to enroll. The classes are small, with lots of individual attention and guidance.

Blenko Ephemera

This is a wall in the loft of Tim and Karin Alonzo from Texas. They have approximately 50 pieces of Blenko ephemera (printed goods).

More proof the Blenko is beautiful in any dimension!

Vintage BLENKO

A great example of VINTAGE BLENKO - Check out the online stores, PURPLE MOON in Charleston, W. Va., South Charleston Antique Mall, Trophy Hair, Westside Charleston,

Blenko loves Blenko

This ad can be found in the November 1960 edition of House Beautiful.

Thank you to Tim and Karin Alonzo for another great photograph

Blenko Glass - Columbus Ohio - Gift Show

Promoting West Virginia and
BLENKO GLASS
New Lines

Richard Blenko in Columbus, Ohio.

Saturday Morning OPTIMISTISM -

- An Optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. Irv Kupeinet

-In the long run, the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip. Daniel L. Reardon.

Optimism - 1) the belief that this world is the best possible world. 2). an inclination to anticipate the best possible outcome.


In Creating Optimism * by Bob Murray PHD and Alicia Futreberg MS.
the author states he always was envious of people who see the silver living rather than the clouds, had these recommendations.

#1. Go for a walk in the park and take in the beauty around you. ( I suggest a drive to BLENKO GLASS in Milton, WV - where you can walk around a large lake, watch the swans, and ducks, visit the glass garden, enjoy nature, and be engulfed by the beauty around you.)

#2. Head out to a family owned corner restaurant - rather than a chain - strike up a conversation with the cashier. ( I suggest visiting a family owned glass factory, strike up a conversation with the cashiers in the Gift Shop - Angie or Diana. Ask questions, learn about West Virginia Glass).
As a prophetic ending for my week, I received tonight an email from a Panhandle Glass Club member in which she used the 'words' optimistic and happy heart and bright young thing' to describe my presentation.
One of my goals is to always have a 'happy heart' - and to be more optimistic. I dunno about bright young thing .. . . . .think - - - - BRIGHT YOUNG THING..I ask my friend Steve to help with a list. * 1. Annie of the play Annie 2 ZACK -Saved by the Bell 3) Steve Urkel - Family Matters
4. Sandy in Grease. Can you think of more?
* Thank you Steve~

Paraskevidekatriaphobis - Overcome your fear of Friday 13th !

Overcome your fear of Friday 13th - by shopping at the BLENKO VISITORS CENTER - so many wonderful items, the prices are terrific. You'll forget all about 'bad luck' and Friday 13th!
Personally, I believe Friday the 13th, is a great day for new beginnings - begin a collection of BLENKO! Begin a tradition of 'washing your car' on Friday. Begin to drink 'decaf' . . . .do something positive today!
A brief summary of Friday 13th sent by my friend Steve:

Friday the thirteenth is considered the unluckiest of days in many superstitions, unless you were born on Friday the thirteenth in which case it is your lucky day.
The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia, a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a phobia (fear) of the number thirteen.
Origins
The origins of Friday superstitions are many. One of the best known is that Eve tempted Adam with the apple on a Friday. Tradition also has it that the Flood in the Bible, the confusion at the Tower of Babel.
The origins of the Friday the 13th superstition have also been linked to the fact there were 13 people at the last supper of Jesus, who was traditionally crucified on Good Friday, but it probably originated only in medieval times.
It has also been linked to the fact that a lunisolar calendar must have 13 months in some years, while the solar Gregorian calendar and lunar Islamic calendar always have 12 months in a year.
- Thank you Steve!

The BLENKO PROJECT Needs YOU!

Interested in VOLUNTEERING? The BLENKO PROJECT needs YOU! One of our goals was BEAUTIFICATION * of the lovely grounds at BLENKO GLASS Visitors Center. For eighteen months now several Blenko employees and a small number of Volunteers have been planting, weeding and watering the 'new' beds and plants. We could use VOLUNTEERS for July 15 - August 30th - let me know if you are available - doesn't require any 'skill' or "plant knowledge" just a willingness to hold a water hose, water and or pull the occasional weed. Perhaps 2 -3 hours MAX.
Could be a Sat or Sunday. There will be someone available to instruct the volunteer (ie where the water hose is ...etc.) Let me know if you have an interest. hjh
*Beautification - A term LADY BIRD Johnson coined - but the Editors inform me PLAGIARISM isn't an ISSUE in BLOGGING.

Vintage Blenko Ad

Thank you to Tim and Karin Alonzo

Texas Collectors

A COOL BLAST FROM THE PAST

This summer has been so hot, and dry! In 1980 the BLENKO Glass Catalogue Cover featured PENGUINS - in crystal and blue . . . thought you might enjoy seeing something COOL on this very hot day. hjh

IN THE PINES - BLENKO
( primitives, folk art, antiques etc.)
JULY 21st 2007
9-5
mark your calendar

Bob and Kay Huffman (304 743 8300) are having their 4th anniversary sale and we're all invited!
It's an open house. 'Uniquely Yours' from Teays Valley will serve gourmet goodies all day with hot dogs, watermelon, and lemonade.
They tell me this is an open house full of the 'most wonderful finds.'
I won't be there - so IF you go, send photos and let us know what you bought. hjh

Blenko - an ad from the past

BLENKO - an Ad from the Past
A Blenko Ad from the Past - I know little about this ad - Have you seen it before? Can you tell us about it - Do you have BLENKO ADs to share?

IN THE BLENKO OF AN EYE - PERFECTION!

IN THE BLENKO OF AN EYE - PERFECTION!

The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none" - Thomas Carlyle.


"You cannot run away from weakness; you must some time fight it out or perish; and if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?" - Robert Louis Stevenson.



"Know your major defect. Every talent is balanced by a fault, and if you give in to it, it will govern you like a tyrant. You can begin to overthrow it by paying heed to it: begin to conquer it by identifying it. Pay it the same attention as those who reproach you for it. To master yourself, you must reflect upon yourself. Once this imperfection has surrendered, all others will follow" - Baltasar Gracian.



Recently I wrote about the new BLENKO GLASS LINE - On Sunday we ran PHOTOS of the NEW LINE...

The comments about the NEW LINE were almost all positive, but I didn't react well to the one or two that were not.

Henry Halem called me "BLENKO CHEERLEADER" for a long time Science Nerd
this was not a compliment....and while I am indeed a very vocal advocate for Blenko Glass and West Virginia Craftsmen. The comment by Mr. Halem lead me to concede; perhaps due to a character flaw I actually find the flaws in Blenko glass to be delightful - the marks made by the tools, the occasional air bubble, the rough pontail etc.
It's an age old questions - Which comes first the head or the heart? When a new object intrudes into our horizons, do we know it first, and then we like it, or do we like it first, for how could we possibley like or dislike something before we know it? I have no answer for this riddle - but -
I find myself always loving BLENKO!

Below are the comments from the post -which lead to the self reflection.

Anonymous said...
HillaryI do not like thesenew designsThe victoria looks a biglike older glass.Solomon
6:37 AM, July 05
Hillary J Homburg said...
SolomonTake off the surgical maskturn on the lights and look atthe pictures again - or better yet - don't.Do show the site to your Mom and Grandmother, you mentioned they both love glass and enjoy the arts.Thank you for your comments, the line you mention is suppose to be retro (older) look.Keep reading, and telling others about BLENKO GLASS.Hillary
7:49 AM, July
Henry Halem said...
Very pedestrian designs. In a word dull. The Victoria line is a riff on Roman and Middle Eastern temple glass but has some potential. Hillary, while you're obviously a cheerleader for Blenko Glass, I dare say your critique of Solomons posting is unfair. He has a right to express himself without being criticized for an honest opinion that was solicited by you. Henry Halem
12:08 PM, July 05, 2007
Hillary J Homburg said...
Solomon,Henry Halem, professor, glass designer, author and my friendbelieves I owe you an apology.Solomon, please accept my apology - my reply to your comment was less than gracious. Your opinion and your unedited comments are always welcome.Thank you Mr. Halem for 'calling my hand' on the comment to Solomon.HJH
3:59 PM, July 05, 2007
Anonymous said...
I am sure the good professor would agree that most designs are derivative of something else. It's the spin on the design that is really the showcase. I think it's a wonderful color palette selection with good clean designs. No doubt these pieces can be made any number of ways, but for the time being this is how Blenko made them. Not to make excuses, but one has to remember that Blenko is working under the constraints of producing "production line" glassware, with all that implies i.e. production time per piece, color selection available and other production variables. It is obvious some corners were cut. Were these strictly art glass pieces I'm sure these pieces would have looked quite different. I guess it's like the difference between eating a hearty stew or a plain and simple broth. Both can be delicious for very different reasons.-Tim
8:41 PM, July 05, 2007
sharon reed hill said...
I really like this line: it reminds me of my past. That's how I first remember Blenko glass.The colors are wonderful.I'd like to add that until you, Hillary, started The Blenko Project, I really hadn't appreciated what I have or did have. It was after the first newspaper article, that I decided to take a second look. Always had an appreciation for Blenko but now more so thanks to your making everyone more aware of our state treasure. Thanks!
11:53 PM, July 05, 2007
Anonymous said...
Ms. HomburgDrove to Milton, they did not havemany of these items in the store.We did very much like the new lines.Bought several items, you tell themthey should have at a minimum a display of all new items or what you write about.Ted S. Kellner
hjh

Appalachain Glass - Weston, West Virginia

It's a Celebration of West Virginia Heritage - The Mountain State Arts and Craft Fair.

Ripley's annual Mountain State Art and Craft Fair at Cedar Lakes Conference Center ends today. More than 135 craft vendors, live music performances and tons of food are available throughout today.

Matt and Chip Turner (you read about them in this blog in Sept - they hosted a GLASS EVENT IN WESTON- for glass workers of West Virginia) from Appalachian Glass - a very talented father and son team did demonstrations of glass blowing and the glass making process at the fair. They have a shop right off the Interstate Exit in Weston, and welcome visitors to their store and workshop six days a week. They also have an engraving service on site.

Weston is home of the WV Glass Museum - so if you are going to visit Appalachian Glass, I recommend you drive another four or five blocks and spend the afternoon at the Glass Museum. Weston is a wonderful town, full of great little antique, gift shops, and restaurants.

Photos of The New BLENKO Line

Photos from Blenko GLass Company.

SEARCHING FOR GOOD KARMA- BUY BLENKO!

"Your problem isn't karma, Sheldon, it's attitude!" "Well, Lonnie, maybe it's attitudinal karma !" ?Anonymous from a off broadway play - can't remember the name.


I always say " BUY BLENKO - for GOOD KARMA!" It (Blenko) has been around for a long time - always doing good.

Did you ever think about KARMA - this time last week - my vet and a pet spa were rescusing me - this afternoon A DEP engineer. My first thoughts were about 'bad luck.'

When in reality my 'luck' is very good. Good Samaritians (angels) always appear in the few times of crisis.


Karma - today another angel entered my life . a DEP engineer, . . . . . .while returning from a visit to my Popaw (90 miles away in Southern WV) my rear tire blew. The tire is less than a year old, and has under 9 K. Strange! After pulling to the curb, we phoned AAA (auto Club) they estimated the wait to be between 90 - 130 minutes - it was HOT 90+ degrees. After about 10 minutes, the
good Samaritan Mr. Dan Bayes, Department of Environmental Protection employee drove up. He quickly assessed the problem. Asked if I had a spare, if he could replace the tire. Then suggested I drive 'slowly' to the service station for air. When we arrived at the station. Mr. Bayes was sitting there, " Just wanted to make sure you'll were safe." He then rode off in his large white truck.

While AAA would have arrived it was nice not to wait the 90 additional minutes. My schedule wasn't really altered by the 'blowout'. I returned to Charleston in time for dinner at Quaker Steak and Lube (a first for me) with my friends.

On my next break from school I plan to enroll in a "powder puff' mechanic course, so I might change my own tire and/or perhaps offer assistance to someone else in distress. hjh

BLENKO - to Collect or Use

Don't believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you'll see the way to fly.~ Richard Bach (from 'Johnathan Livingstone Seagull')


BLENKO GLASS COMPANY in Milton, West Virginia has been making 'Water Bottles' for a very long time. It is known as the longest running item - made before Blenko had its first designer. Water bottles are available in a dozen or more colors - are an expensive way to start a collection - or to add color to your table.
Many 'water bottles' have become highly collectible - the water bottle with handle, the rose', the ebony, the tequila to name a few. (photos follow)

Blenko Water Bottles - Tequila, Rose', Water Bottle with Handle, Ebony Water Bottle, The WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ' mountaineer and WVU LOGO,' a multi spout water bottle
with bumps.

This year FIESTA WARE also started a WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY speciality item line. So all Mountaineer Fans have the ability to have both Fiesta and BLENKO.

Only one month left until FOOTBALL SEASON! hjh

NEW LINE OF GLASS AT BLENKO!

Very exciting news. The waiting is finally over! The Bayliss Design Team has completed the new designs for Blenko. The three new lines are Bravo, Strata and Victoria. The designs are new, but have a similar feel to them. Along with the new designs are new colors: Sunshine, Dreamcicle, Clover, Crystal, Electric Blue and Vineyard. If you get a moment, check them out and let me know what you think:http://www.blenkoglass.com/2006catalog/2007newline.htm

Thanks to TK for the link and info.
Hope to have photos to post on the blog of these designs early next week.
HJH

RED BLUE & BOOM with BLENKO!

It's a Day to Celebrate! Fire Works - Picnics - Symphony in the Park! Make all these events a little more special.................with some planning and BLENKO GLASS!
BLENKO TOP HAT for holding 'fine Wine - Champagne - Ice - Coke "

Blue Challis A Vintage Blenko
Item - Great for
AWARDS!


FLOWERS - Roses / RED from MILTON FLORAL in Clear BLENKO VASE
These red white and blue one of kind pieces are WAYNE HUSTED 2006 designs. These Husted items are 'pure art' don't use them...just ENJOY THE VIEW! Or if you aren't going out to see 'fireworks' enjoy the brilliance of your glass !

Celebrate July 4th

RED WHITE & BOOM! Celebrate this day.

Check out today's Hearld Dispatch for a list of local celebrations. Huntington and Charleston both have great FIREWORKS scheduled.

If you have a picnic or family lunch planned, I hope you'll include fresh flowers in BLENKO ruby or cobalt vase.

My own family each year makes a visit to The ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR IN RIPLEY (check out the website) during this holiday weekend. Crafts men and women display and exhibit their wears. Its a great place to see West Virginia crafts and meet the people who make them.

While I love GLASS and try to visit all the Stain Glass and Glass Blowers there are woodworkers, quilt makers, wonderful food items, clothing, leather goods.

There are concession stands on site - so you can buy lunch, leisurely walk around visiting the various craft booths, learning about West Virginia's history and visit with friends you

see only once a year.

Vintage Cars and Blenko Glass

Pittsburgh's Vintage Car Grand Prix July 6-15th.
On Sunday we were fortunate enough to attend a preview event for the Vintage Car Grand Prix. Over 3 dozen cars, my favorite was the FIAT 1500 a 1970 - in a Blenko orange!*
Most of the cars were 60 - 70s the time JOEL P MYERS AND WAYNE HUSTED were designing at BLENKO! Vintage cars are a passion for me, I love cars, not necessarily the muscle cars, but the cars with lots of 'chrome' and heavy design, and also the 'cute' little cars!
My love of the German 'beetle' remains as strong today as it was in 1990 when I saw my first
VW Convertible and declared my self a HERBIE fan!
Standing out as a crowd pleaser was the epitome of sports cars the 1967 Shelby GT1500 KR Convertible. There were there 6 other Mustangs, Corvettes from 1950s to 90s (a dozen), MGs, A Lotus, Mercedes Benz. These cars were for the most part hauled on trailers to the site. Pampered by their owners. Either completely restored or near mint original condition, proud owners stood close by to speak with interested visitors.
So many of the cars were very LARGE - I found myself thinking mpg - These cars were built in a time when the thoughts were about "performance' rather than energy efficiency! hjh
* Anyone know the history of the 1970 Fiat 1500 ?

Blenko in the Windows Doesn't Always Mean Quality Elsewhere

Life is simple - thinking is complicated. Peter Cajander

Holiday Inn University Center - Pittsburgh, Pa.
When we checked in my thoughts were, its an over priced HOLIDAY INN (over $140 single room) - but BRIDGES the bar/restaurant had a wonderful collection of vintage Blenko Glass from the 70s and 80s, probably 20 very colorful pieces housed in a very large window shelf designed to hold the glass. We spoke with the manager about the Glass - it seems the General Manager was a collector of 'colored glass'. The restaurant manager knew very little about the glass or its value. We were feeling much better about the hotel. Vintage Blenko in the bar, my thoughts were this place has great Karma.... Miss B and I enjoyed lunch as we admired the reflection of the BLENKO in the sunlight.

Within 3 hours of checking in we received a call: Ms. Homburg? Do you have a dog in your room? Yes I do. We have a policy against dogs at the Holiday Inn. Since when? I ask. Miss B has stayed in the Holiday Inn on many occasions. Well it seems 2 months ago according to the Hotel manager ALL HOLIDAY INNS ARE DOG FREE ENVIRONMENTS*. He then told me if I expected to spend the night, Miss B would have to go!

While we have been ask to pay a pet deposit (up to $100 ), Miss B has never been ask to leave a hotel. At this point, I must admit the manager was nice, he gave me a list of twenty kennels in the Pittsburgh area.

A BICHON CLUB of Western PA member recommended , THE GOLDEN BONE PET RESORT, after many calls, they agreed to open on a holiday, and accept Miss B. My vet from Charleston agreed to go to his office and fax B's health records so that she might get into the GOLDEN BONE. So many wonderful people working together to assure Ms B was in a safe environment.

The GOLDEN BONE PET RESORT is a lovely place, heated floors, central heat and air conditioning, TV and radio, grooming on the premises. Three exercise periods per day. The attendant used B's favorite words "cute, sweet, darling" when speaking to her. I left feeling Miss B would be very well taken care of.

My trip was saved by the acts of many good Samaritans.

Returned to the Holiday Inn University Center to discover the pool, sauna, and exercise rooms were CLOSED also without any notice....just a hand printed sign...saying closed due to unforeseen circumstances. What a check in day! I will not be returning to the Holiday Inn University Center on my next visit to Pittsburgh -

If you plan to visit Pittsburgh with your pet, may I recommend the Wyndham, Doubletree,
Westin or the Marriott Residence Inn where I am happy to report Miss B is an accepted guest (though after this weekend she may demand to stay at the doggie-spa!).

HJH


*in defense of The Holiday Inn, this new pet policy is listed on their website. Having stayed there before without issue, it simply had not occur to me to check again.

BLENKO - Dreams Pass Into Reality!

Annis Nin said:
Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.

Blenko Glass in Milton West Virginia was a dream for William Blenko, from his actions and belief in himself and the people of Milton this dream became a one of the United States most noted glass manufacturers of tableware and antique glass.
William Blenko - proof that in America with hard work DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

William J. Blenko- The Blenko Glass Company was founded in 1893 by William J. Blenko in Kokomo, Indiana. He was born in 1853 in London's East End, on 36 Wharf Road. He worked in London glass houses when he was 13 years old and eagerly learned about glass formulation. In 1893 he came to America with the intention of starting the first glasshouse that could supply mouth blown (Antique) sheet glass for stained glass windows. At this time, all antique glass was produced in Europe (France, England, Germany) With the exception of Blenko Glass, it is still the same today.
William J. Blenko arrived in Kokomo, Indiana and set up a small shop. In time, he hired and trained other glass workers. William remained in Kokomo until 1903 when economics in America forced the factory to close. As a curious side note- William Blenko gave a solo piccolo performance on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 13, 1894 in Kokomo.
Over the years, William became aware of the prejudice against American-made glass. Since the studios were owned by former Europeans, they had a natural bias in favor of European glass. William Blenko faced this prejudice until he died.
In1909 he started a factory in Point Marion, Pennsylvania, and later in Clarksburg, WV. Unfortunately, both of these ventures failed. A letter indicates he was working in Bellaire, Ohio in 1919 at an unknown glass factory for $40.00 a week. William was at some time offered a job at Tiffany's in New York for $50.00 a week and he apparently took this job. Finally in 1921, he decided to move to Milton, WV because of the low natural gas prices there. William was now 67 years old, an age when most people retire. Working by himself, he blew the glass cylinders, flattened them into sheets and then went on the road in his Model T car to sell them.
The original name of the company was Eureka Glass Company. It was called this because William J. Blenko spent years trying to find a ruby red sheet glass that would not change colors when painted and fired. When he developed this color, he threw his arms in the air and said, "Eureka, I've found it!" In 1923, his 26-year-old son William H. Blenko Sr. , with wife Marion and two-year-old son William Jr. joined him in Milton. This is when the factory finally took off.

William H. Blenko Sr. had the energy, ideas and an astute sense of sales. By 1927, Eureka antique sheet glass was specified for the Liverpool Cathedral. In 1929, sales were slow due to the depression in America. Bill Sr. seeing a need to make more business, contacted a Boston Importer, named Carbone. Carbone was importing his glass vases from Venice, Italy. Bill Blenko told him he could manufacture them, and save Carbone money. In reality, Bill Blenko did not have the skilled men to make them. When he returned to Milton, he found two Swedish glassworkers to work part-time. They were brothers Axel Mueller and Louie Miller. These two men were highly skilled in stemware manufacturing, and set the standard for all craftsmen to follow. The first samples were made in 1929. Thereafter, hand blown tableware was a major aspect of the Blenko .* The entire history of BLENKO GLASS COMPANY can be found on the BLENKO GLASS CO WEBSITE - William Blenko story was taken from this source.hjh

OLD Blenko or NEW BLENKO?

"You have to know about the past to understand the present." Carl

Sagan

It doesn't have to be a choice. I think both OLD and NEW! Buy what you like.

Blenko has a new design team. If you didn't see the WV Birthday piece (this blog or the BLenko Website) You may not know about the 'new' design team. We were fortunate enough to meet them during break and to view some of the new designs. They are unique, a few are retro, many are very classic, all are very clean and beautiful. The Birthday piece is a great example of the work this team produces.

This is a great time to start 'collecting' NEW Blenko! The 'OLD' is terrific, and a lot of the molds are still being used. I recommend checking the Visitors Center often as the merchandise changes frequently. Look under the tables, in the corners for 'terrific' unique finds. Ask Diana and/or Tammy for help if you don't see what you are looking for, or if you have questions about an item or color.

When the NEW line is available for public viewing I'll devote a couple days to photos of NEW BLENKO!

The photos today are of OLD BLENKO - These photos are from the BLENKO MUSEUM they were taken by Damon Crain who is often writes and speaks about glass art. The Blenko Museum Web site (http://www.blenkomuseum.org/) is a great place to visit, if you want to learn about BLENKO . The photographs like the ones above are some of the most beautiful . hjh photos of JOEL PHILIP MYERS WORK AT BLENKO GLASS COMPANY photos taken by Damon Crain of Blenko Museum.

West Virginia Day at BLENKO Glass - Your Photos

We ask for Photos from the WVa BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT BLENKO! It's an annual event....Plan to attend JUNE 20 2008!

These two gentlemen were #1 Barry Copley of Charleston, W. Va. and Elmer Gale Copley of Williamson, West Virginia in The Blenko Birthday Line ( Gale in the blue Chair).

Thanks to everyone who sent photos....hjh

PHOTOS from GLASS ART SOCIETY Conference

These photos are from the Glass Art Society Conference (Transformational Matter, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 7-9, 2007)

The annual GAS Auction offers conference attendees and the public the opportunity to support GAS by donating and/or purchasing beautiful works of glass art.
Below are some of the beautiful and unique items that were available for auction:

For more on the Glass Art Society, visit their website at www.glassart.org and read about my time at the GAS conference in Pittsburgh.

hjh

In Response to Your Requst - Photos!

Hillary
Each day I sign on to LOOK at your
Blog - hoping to see pix of beautiful
girls in convertible or at least beautiful
colored WV Glass.
Stop writing so many words. I don't have
time to read before my assignments.
Paul Jordan
US ARMY

Paul,

Looking back I have used quiet a few words the month of June.

For you today photos of Beautiful Girl 'B' in Convertible and lovely

BLENKO glass. I'll do more photos and less talk.

Thanks for reading.

Good luck with your assignments. Wishing you a safe

return to WVa.

hjh

Images of Kemp Center BLENKO!

These great photos were sent by the wonderful TEXAS BLENKO COLLECTORS
2nd Photo is of the BLENKO GLASS Chandelier

Intuition - Some have it.

“You must train your intuition - you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide”. Ingrid Bergman.
Note: Ingrid Berman, Clark Gable, and many famous film stars of this era were BLENKO customers.
Mr. WH Blenko has great stories, and some interesting photos.

The following was a News Release from WVU Foundation on 6/22/07


WVU Dental Student Donates Blenko Glass Collection
In hopes of spreading interest in hand-made West Virginia glass, one dental student is donating her 27-piece West Virginia Birthday Blenko Glass collection to West Virginia University. The Blenko Family will also make a gift each year of the collection’s new collectible piece.Hillary Homburg, a third-year dental student and Charleston native, said her collection is one of only four known complete collections in West Virginia. It will be housed in the University’s new art museum, currently the Erickson Alumni Center. WVU plans to convert the center to the museum once the Alumni Association moves into its new $14 million facility currently under construction.
“There are four things in my life that I hold very dear. Blenko glass and West Virginia University are two of the four things.” Homburg said about her decision to donate her glass collection to WVU. “My grandfather was a WVU graduate. Homburgs have a long and very happy history with WVU. Blenko Glass is very near my home in Charleston, and I have been a visitor to the factory since before I could put together whole sentences,” she said


“Hillary Homburg's donation of her Blenko WV Anniversary glass is a major donation to a very worthy Academic institution,” said Richard Blenko, 4th Generation President of Blenko Glass, founded 1893. “Hillary is an avid Blenko collector and as well as profound advocate for the State of West Virginia. She routinely has promoted Blenko, and the state in a professional manner and her enthusiasm for our state makes her a national ambassador for all West Virginians.”“The College of Creative Arts is so very pleased to receive this wonderful gift of Blenko Glass which celebrates the heritage of our State. These beautifully crafted pieces of glass will hold a place of honor in West Virginia University's Permanent Art Collection,” added Dean J. Bernard Schultz. Although Homburg said it was a difficult decision to donate her collection, she hopes people from all over the country who visit WVU will be able to see Blenko Glass and its importance to West Virginia.“The idea to give the glass came to me while I was a student assistant helping with New Student Orientation. I realized that thousands of people visit campus each summer and each year. If Blenko Glass were displayed, perhaps those people would develop an interest and want to visit the factory or buy some glass and take it home as a souvenir of their trip to West Virginia.”“This particular collection, The West Virginia Birthday Collection, is especially appropriate as it was designed and produced solely to honor West Virginia,” she said.
Blenko added, “These art glass pieces represent a variety of Blenko designers who were major figures in the American Glass scene. Don Shepherd was a designer of organic shapes and textures; Hank Adams was influenced by industrial shapes and with a rough texture. These items represent decades of design and color.”The Blenko Glass Birthday pieces began in 1980, and since her birth, Homburg and her father have been in line waiting for their Blenko glass every year on West Virginia’s Birthday.

2007 Collectible“My dad bought the Birthday Collection for me before I was born - in 1985 I was in person in line – and every year there after,” she said. As part of her WVU Foundation scholarship, Homburg used her stipend to create the Blenko Project, an advocacy devoted to making people aware that Blenko is in West Virginia making glass the old fashion way. She hopes that her project and web site will make people aware that they can buy quality West Virginia glass instead of just quantity, she said.She also writes a weblog for The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington, called “Heart of Glass.” Homburg posts three or four times a week about West Virginia glass issues. Her website, The Blenko Project, can be found at www.blenkoproject.org, and her online blog at .Blenko Glass Company is the only company other than Tiffany that makes stained glass for churches and blown glass for consumers, according to Richard Blenko. “William J. Blenko worked for Tiffany in 1920 for $50.00 a week. Blenko has supplied gifts to past clients like: Carole Lombard, Irving Berlin, Rudi Vallee, Cary Grant, Ellenor Roosevelt, Maime Eisenhower, and George Bush Sr. Our stained glass can be seen in The Canton Football Hall of Fame; Harkness Library at Yale; The United States Air Force Academy Cathedral; Washington Cathedral and The Mormon Temple, Washington.”Blenko Glass Company has been featured in four PBS Television documentaries and Richard Blenko has appeared in over 262 US cities and has over 2500 broadcasts and helped raise over $27,000,000 for PBS.The gift was made through the WVU Foundation, a private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University and its non-profit affiliates.
West Virginia University Foundation, Inc. One Waterfront

BLENKO GLASS - City of Grapevine

The following news from Texas:

The people of Wichita Falls came out to support the Kemp Center, the Viteks and of course Blenko Glass. My rough estimate of folks there would be 150-200 folks. A good sign was that all the Blenko Glass in the gift center was sold out. The event was so successful that the staff at the Kemp are hoping to have a yearly Blenko event.

The Viteks won this custom made grape chandelier at the Grapevine, Texas Grapefest Festival a few years ago. Over sixty glass grapes make up the chandelier. They are hoping to return it to the City of Grapevine later this year.

The Blenko Collectors Society has a very active group in Texas, they meet weekly, the eat together, shop together, attend lecturers together, and as a group they attend and support most all BLENKO GLASS COMPANY events in and around TEXAS.

This group performs the mission of the BLENKO PROJECT they support and promote BLENKO GLASS.

Richard Blenko travels extensively promoting Blenko, but one person can't do all. It take a

'Village to teach us about Hand Crafted Made In WV Glass', The Texas Collectors take pride in their role as advocate, educators and supporters of Blenko and West Virginia Glass. . . . .Blenko Glass is made here in Milton, West Virginia.
GREAT PHOTO of this chandelier to be posted later!

Your questions RE: June 20th

The West Virginia Birthday Glass was sold at BLENKO. To answer your question, I wasn't there - Dental School was in session. I don't have photos.

Several friends were at the Visitors Center. Jedi Jawa who is a WV BLOGGER was there took photos and blogged about the day. Check out his blog and photos. He is a newbie to BLENKO COLLECTING...but I think perhaps the Blenko bug...bit him.

http://not-my.blogspot.com/2007/06/glass-geekdom.html

May I also suggest you frequently check the Blenko Company website for photos and updates about Blenko. hjh

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia is 144 years old Today - June 20th 2007.

Most everyone I know in Charleston got up very early this morning to stand in line for purchasing the BLENKO GLASS - 2007 Birthday Vase, the vase is beautiful, the size is perfect! I hope everyone I know was 'lucky' and was able to purchase one. Each year there are a few disappointed shoppers who arrive late or don't realize the vase is limited in number.

For me, this isn't a holiday - I'll be at the Health Science Center thinking about removal partial dentures, screenings, and how to increase my patient load.

If you are in Milton this day - send photos, or stories, there are always interesting people in the 'line' to buy the vase.

A 'special ' HELLO to my Uncles, my Dad, Eppie and John Boles, Renita Williams and her Mom, Steve and Margie Bair and my other "Birthday line buddies". hjh