Where to Shop - You Respond

This is a list of Wanda Souder's favorite local shopping places, she reports finding Blenko, WV Glass, teddy bears, and lots of other things. She states these shops are clean and the owners very knowledgeable. hjh
Chesapeake Flea Market(Flea Market)1/4 mi. east of downtown on Old Rt. 52, Chesapeake740-867-6355

Central City Cafe(Eatery)529 - 14th Street West304-522-6142

Bus Barn Antiques Mall(Antiques, Collectibles Sports Memorabilia, WV Glass)402 18th Street West, Huntington304-429-3485

Central City Market(Farmers Market, Amish Market)555 14th St. West, Huntington304-525-1500http://www.centralcitymarket.com/

Adam's Avenue Antique Mall(Antique Mall)1460 Adams Ave.304-523-7231

Memories of the Heart Antiques(Antiques, Vintage, Jewelry, Folk Art by Vonnie)617 14th St. West304-697-5301

Old Central Auction(Auctions, Antiques)1404 Adams Ave., Huntington304-544-4880

Antique Center, Inc.Brass Masters Metal Polishing(Antiques, Quality Restoration)610 14th St. West304-523-7887 lditty@blackcatantiques.comhttp://www.blackcatantiques.com/

Grandmother’s Attic(Antiques)444 W. 14th St., Huntington304-525-4880, Open Daily

Laredo Steaks & Seafood(Restaurant)2134 5th St.304-697-4810

Hattie & Nan’s(Antiques)521 W. 14th St., Huntington304-523-8844, Open Daily

Blenko Glass Visitor Center, Factory & MuseumFairground Rd., Milton304-743-9081 /

Valentine's Day is Fast Apporaching!

If you have seen any wonderful 'made in WVa' gifts, please send photo and address of the shop.
Beginning Feb 1 we will post daily ' made in WVa gifts' for V-Day!
Someone told me Jeff Fetty made a glass bear w/heart in honor of Valentines' Day that will go on sell at the Fenton Gift Shop this week. I'll try to get a photo and post.
The BLENKO GLASS gift shop has a big selection of red glass. Angie and Diane have decorated the gift shop with hearts, Ruby Glass is my favorite - its more expensive for Blenko to produce ruby glass. . .but Blenko's red glass is unique and the most vivid you will find. Again I'll ask for photos to post. hjh

First Piece of BLENKO - You Respond

Good morning

Wow! What a project! I will be glad to contribute a little if you want..... My mother got me started in collecting Blenko, and most of my pieces are "seconds". However, back in the 50's she got a picture of herself and her classroom in the "old" high school published in the Journal of the National Education Association, and she was very proud to display some pieces of Blenko in the classroom that her former students had made and given her. She loved Blenko, and also, another small glass maker from Culloden called "Bischoff", which I have a couple of pieces. I don't have most of her old collection of Blenko, that passing on to my brother and his wife Kay. But my wife Beverly has enough on hand to have to "rotate" the pieces on display in the house, because we don't have a house full of display cases.....

Let me know if this could help.

Bill

And the answer is. . . .

January 17th blog photos : all own one or more pieces of BLENKO.

.You Respond - Photos of BLENKO

This is another photo from SKIP COPLEY a REALTOR in the Mrytle Beach, NC and Charleston, South Carolina area.
Skip reports that he and his daughter Julia collect and display vintage Blenko along with new pieces that they buy from the Visitors Center.
Skip describes the 'Wayne Husted' designed BLENKO items pictured as his daughter Julia's favorite pieces of BLENKO/ West Virginia Glass . hjh

Note: We welcome your BLENKO stories and photos.

Collectiable BLENKO GLASS

BLENKO GLASS COMPANY located in Milton, W. Va. phone 304 743 9081.
Blenko Glass Visitors Center gift shop is open daily - BLENKO GLASS at reduced prices!
Think Valentine's Day Gift,
Birthday Gift, I'M Sorry Gift,
I am a PRINCE NOT A FROG gift, Blenko is always the appropriate gift. When you purchase Blenko you are buying a piece of our heritage, a piece of West Virginia. hjh

Note: These items and many other wonderful BLENKO and WVa Glass are a part of the HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ART 's collection. The Huntington Museum of Art is another of West Virginia's treasurers.

Collectiable BLENKO 1985 WV Birthday Piece

This is a much improved photo of the 1984 Birthday Piece. 1985 - West Virginia Birthday Piece made by BLENKO GLASS COMPANY, Milton, W.Va.
This item was limited in number to less than one hundred fifty and each piece is signed by WH Blenko and Don Shepperd. hjh

Who Collects BLENKO ?

Can you find the BLENKO COLLECTORS in these photos?

Readers write to ask 'who' collects W.Va and Blenko Glass?

Blenko and West Virginia Glass collectors and people who are interested in West Virginia Glass come in all sizes and all ages, sex isn't an issue, both women and men collect West Virginia and Blenko Glass.
The men who collect to be very knowledgeable about origin, value and history, while women who collect often collect a particular color or style/designer (most of the female collectors I know are also informed about all aspects of glass, but often focus their collections to their favorite era etc).

NOTE: These observations were made by a non -psychology major - - I should have consulted my friends Kate and Lindsey (both Psych Majors) before making behavioral comments.

1984 WV Birthday - BLENKO

This bowl or basket w/ handle was designed by Don Shepperd. It is the 1984 West Virginia Birthday Piece - this is one of the more difficult ones to find. Perhaps the handle makes it more fragile, or perhaps because it is so lovely - it just isn't often on the market. This piece like all Birthday Pieces is signed by BLENKO and also the designer, it is numbered.
The basket (some call this a ladies bonnet) is crystal with a blue ribbon. At our home we use this basket to float fresh cut flowers - placed in the center of our table for special occasions. hjh

Take the photos with you when you are flea market or antique shopping. Remember to check out the BLENKO GLASS COMPANY Visitors Center for many one of a kind items. 304 743 9081.

Can you Identify this Glass?

West Virginia Birthday - 1983 BLENKO

This is another of the West Virginia Birthday Pieces - Blenko since 1980 each year makes a limited number of BIRTHDAY PIECES in honor of - June 20th West Virginia's Birthday. These pieces are sold one day only and usually are sold out within 2 hours.
These very collectible items can somtimes be found at estate sales, occasionally private collectors will offer a piece for sale, and some 'lucky' people find them in flea markets, garage sales etc. Become familiar with these pieces and if you see one, consider buying it. There are four known complete collections 1980-2006.
Blenko Glass Company Museum (upstairs of the Visitors Center) has a display of about a dozen. The 1983 Birthday Piece pictured here was designed by Don Shepperd and sold at the Diamond Department Store. . hjh

From the Inbox

We oftens receive mail from readers, who have wonderful stories about Blenko. Letters about how Blenko has been a part of their lives. Dale Harding was kind enough to allow me to share his letter about growing up in Milton w/ Blenko.
"Growing up in the shawdow of the Blenko Glass Plant/A feeling of Family

I have such a deep love and respect for our Blenko heritage here in Milton, West Virginia. My family moved to Milton, in 1957 from Sissonville, and we moved into a house on Dry Creek, about five hundred feet from the Blenko Visitor Center. Our neighbor, Clyde Scott worked at Blenko Glass, and during those days family members were allowed to fish in the Blenko Pond. Soon I found myself fishing on the Pier at Blenko, with the Scott family. At that time I met Mrs. Marion Blenko, and she took me under her wing, and would call me "her boy". So as a twelve year old boy, in new surroundings, not knowing anyone in this area, the Blenko crew became my first friends in Milton. Many days I would go over and just stand and watch the glass craftsmen at work and the whole process amazed me. After returning to Milton after my four year stay in the United States Air Force, and a year in Vietnam, I had a horrific automobile accident and was in a hospital bed in my living room for over a year, Mrs. Marion Blenko heard of my accident and sent me a Blenko Glass, "to drink my milk from", that will help heal your broken bones, she said.

I have a large family of cousins, we all grew up like brothers and sisters, and they are scattered all over the United States, we all promote Blenko Glass and most of us are collectors, my house looks like a Blenko Gift shop, and I promote Blenko at every chance I get, as I feel that we are so lucky to have Blenko in our backyard and this is an art form, that just cant ever be lost.

In 2004 our Milton High School Class, had our 40th Reunion at Pumpkin Park, across the road from Blenko Glass. Bill Blenko was our classmate for several years before he enrolled and attended Military School. I wrote Richard Blenko and told him about our upcoming reunion, and ask if he could provide a few pieces of Blenko Glass, for awards to be given to our faculty members, and he was so gracious and supplied not only awards for the faculty members but several pieces to be given as door prizes.

During my years in the Military service, I have traveled all over the world, and every where I go, I see Blenko Glass. On my way to Vietnam, we landed in Japan for refueling, and while in the airport, I walked into the gift shop and there was a shelf devoted to Blenko glass, for an instant I felt like I was near home. From where I stand, the Blenko family has been truly Ladies and Gentlemen.

Dale Harding being presented Blenko Glass from Richard Blenko for the MHS Class of 1964, 40th Reunion that was held at Pumpkin Park in Milton.

Thank you Dale for the photos and letter. hjh

The Fortune Cookie said " You will be Surrounded by Beauty"...

Huntington Museum of Art - probably the only place within a 100 mile radius with a Chihuly glass sculpture. This wonderful piece of art was commission by the Polan family as a gift to the Museum.
Other than driving to Columbus or another larger city - you might never be this close to something so very beautiful again.

PBS (Blenko Glass also received great number of admirers from PBS) did a documentary about Chihuly several years ago. I immediately began to read and admire this work. My family does the German Village House and Garden Show in June of each year , and always some family has a small Chihuly piece or a chandalier prominently displayed. An art gallery we frequent in Columbus also has some Chihuly pieces.
In my limited experience these pale in comparison to the object of art created by Chihuly for the Huntington Museum of Art. Teachers, Parents, Friends, it is never to early to expose your children, or your significant others, to great Glass Art.
The Museum of Art Gift Shop has small affordable Chihuly pieces and books.

On this icky, rainy day - load the kids or the significant other in the car and drive up / down to the Huntington Museum of Art. You will not be disappointed.

PS: There are also excellent displays of West Virginia, American, and French Glass - and for the Blenko folks there are a number of 'older' , and many one of a kind pieces.

Wedding Anniversary Birthday Valentine's Gift

FIRE AND ICE ! Blenko Design from 2006 You must see this in person - to appreciate the color combination, texture and form. Fire and Ice was the name Revlon gave to a lipstick - very popular - in the 60s.. The lip color was a reddish orange. BLENKO's FIRE AND ICE is a bright - sun like YELLOW and a Dark but bright Blue represents the ICE! One of my favorite sets in the 2007 catalogue. The Fire and Ice is an in house design - most likely meaning Richard Blenko and the craftsmen Randy Rider, Osburn, Wade & a hand full of dedicated employees worked to perfect the design. hjh 304 743 9081

Your Comments Welcome - Annonymous is OK!

Thank you for the emails - Blogging is new for me, and I certainly understand your reluctance to register w/ blogger.com in order to comment. While I enjoy the email - IT IS OK TO COMMENT on the Blog as anonymous. The Blog does not track your email address - and you won't get unsolicited mail.
Believe me - I understand your fear, until last Christmas I refused to use my credit card on line.
With the blog site - you can comment / without registering . . .it just shows up as anonymous - and its OK.
Emails are welcome and I will continue to try to address the concerns/ questions in the blog or a return email.
Take a chance - Comment on the blog instead of sending the email! hjh
Note: click on photo to increase size.

1958 Blenko Catalogue On Line

Tim and Karin Alonzo members of the TEXAS BLENKO Collectors report at the Blenko 4 website, they have posted a reprint of the 1958 catalog. This catalog has some of the rarest and unusual designs Blenko ever created. If you were to purchase the catalog you might spend hundreds of dollars, but the kind folks at Blenko 4 have posted the catalog for free! Check it out: http://www.blenkocollectors.com/ Kudos to them

Huntington Museum of Art - Huntington, W.Va.

Can you identify these pieces of art? Are they BLENKO? If so, what year and who designed. The Huntington Museum of Art located right off the Inter-state has over 600 pieces of BLENKO. The Museum has a very large American Glass Art Collection. A drive to the Huntington Museum should be on your schedule, take the children or grandchildren, or borrow a child for one of the 'kid friendly' activities. . .expose the 'youth' in your life to museums and art of all forms - early - its never too early. The Huntington Museum displays change frequently. Visit and write to tell us about your favorite display or collection. You'll find the staff very helpful, very non intrusive. hjh

Blenko . . . Blenko.. . .For the Love of BLENKO!

The Blenko Family has owned and operated Blenko Glass for nearly 100 years. Richard Blenko is the 4th generation Blenko to head BLENKO GLASS.
Richard Blenko has spent his entire life working at and for BLENKO GLASS COMPANY, Milton, W.Va.
In honor of Mr. Blenko's birthday - which is Saturday - I am posting photos of some lovely BLENKO glass, these photos were taken by a Huntington collector..
Richard has a history of designing glass, he promotes BLENKO daily as he travels across the country - signing glass, giving speeches about WV and American Made Glass.
Mr. Blenko's hobbies focus on Marshall University, the State of WV, the community, the arts, and his love of cars and film. BLenko is a film maker, he is also responsible for a number of films on BLENKO GLASS. See the www.blenkoproject.org website for a list of films. Many are available for purchase at the Blenko Visitors Center in Milton. Happy Birthday Mr. Blenko! Note: Blenko Glass fans have a club - its called the BLENKO COLLECTORS SOCIETY - joining for $50 intitles you to a quarterly newsletter, the group holds anual meets in Milton.

Collectible BLENKO - 1982 WV BIRTHDAY

Maggie McMillian reports finding this 1982 BLENKO GLASS - West Virginia Birthday Piece at an estate sale in Huntington - near Ritter Park. She paid $800. Her piece is # 57 and signed by Don Shepperd and WH Blenko.
Maggie knew it was BLENKO, and that it was beautiful - thought because of the # it was a limited edition - she did not know it was one of the very ' special' WV Birthday Pieces.
GREAT FIND!
Maggie reports she is now on a mission to find the other 26. With time and patience, she may very well. The first six seem to be the most difficult to find, so she has a great start with her #3. To learn more about the WV Birthday Pieces and other BLENKO collectibles check out http://www.blenkoproject.org/ or any of the other BLenko inspired websites. hjh

After Christmas Mark Downs at BLENKO VISITORS CENTER

"pcfs debit card
Blenko Glass Company in Milton, W.Va. phone 304 743 9081. The Visitors Center has four or five tables marked clearance. Prices marked down up to 60%. A wide variety of colors, a limited number of Holiday Items -
Diane and Angie have several tables of RED GLass and Red Lamps ready for the Feb. 14th Holiday! Blenko Glass will graciously accept your check, charge or pcfs debit card. hjh