Debra Novak - Blenko Retro

Hillary
Recently I bought all the Blenko Glass films. The one I like best was directed by Debra Novak when did she leave Blenko Glass? Was she involved with other Blenko films? If so can you provide me with the names and contact to order?
What did Novak do after Blenko? Was she the artist in residence?
Karen Miller

Karen,
I wrote to Blenko about this - as I'm not certain but I think Novak was never a Blenko Glass employee. She is an outstanding WV film maker. She most often works with John Witek.
Perhaps some Huntington reader will have more information. I've been trying for over a year to replace my copy of the Novak/Witek Blenko Film -may I ask where you bought the film?
HJH
The following information was obtained from the West Virginia Divison of Culture - Film Office.

Blenko Retro - Three Designers of American Glass120 min. 2001 South Carolina ETVJohn Witek and Deborah Novak produced this colorful, award-winning documentary as a follow-up to their earlier film Hearts of Glass about the flamboyant and wildly creative glass produced by Blenko Glass of Milton, Cabell County. In the years following World War II, the family-owned Blenko Glass Company hired a series of three designers who later became world-famous, both for their glass designs and for their other design work. Their West Virginia glass pieces were considered some of the most creative in the world during the 1950's, '60's, and '70's, and this video provides insight into both the creative process and the production process of this unusual and collectable glass work. To purchase the video, visit South Carolina Educational Television's Web site at www.scetv.org/blenko/. (note: this didn't work for me - the film may be out of print).
This one isn't BLENKO but is an outstanding WV Film by Novak.
From Ashes to Glory120 min. 2000 Witek & Novak/WPBY-TVThis award-winning documentary deals with the worst sports disaster in American history - when almost the entire Marshall University football team died on November 14, 1970, after their plane crashed outside Huntington, killing all 75 aboard - and the team's subsequent rebound. The climb from the 1970 disaster to Marshall's two national championships during the 1990's in the I-AA division marks one of the greatest comebacks in American sports history. The video, co-produced by John Witek and Deborah Novak, describes Marshall's dramatic shift in fortunes and chronicles 30 years of sports history at the school. To obtain a copy of the video, call the Marshall Alumni Association at 1-800-682-5869.
Thanks for reading and for your comment.
hjh

A Sale . . . What is a Sale?

Having a sale . . .what does this mean?

Reader Ted E wrote to ask what I think a sale is?

Well. We all want a bargain. My Mom has been looking for a Toyota Prius V with advanced technology assist http://www.toyota.com/ and she wants to pay $30,800 which Consumer Report tells her she should pay. When she finds this car. It'll be a SALE!

Reader bgraham2007 wants all the WV Birthday Pieces and he's willing to purchase them at most any cost. When he buys Birthday Pieces . . . we'll they are for sale but I wouldn't consider it a real 'sale'.

When Blenko Glass www.blenkoglass.com announces a sale - it most usually means some reduction of the price on many items and many new items and 'special items' made just for the occassion. This is a sale!

Someone said everything has a price....and perhaps this is true. What you want to pay is determined by desire and availablity ( my opinion only).

May I suggest Ted you drive down to Milton for the Holiday Sale and then write to tell me if it was a 'sale' for you!. For me obtaining a new Les Womack angel and the opportunity to purchase glass created for the occassion and the ability to have my

glass signed makes this a special occassion and a sale I want to attend.

Check back for more information on the upcoming Holiday Sale and also new and exciting Blenko Glass items.

hjh

West Virginia Glass - Paper Weights

Glasslady

I wrote in September to ask about Paper weight collecting. What Blenko had to offer, what was currently available and also if you could publish photos of older paperweights.

I received a form email - stating you received my email and would research.

Call me Still waiting in OK.

Max K.

Max,

We wrote to Blenko in early September asking for photos of available Paperweights and any information they might have.
Readers: If you collect paperweights please send photos to theblenkoproject@aol.com Or if you have suggestions for starting a paperweight collection.

Dave Osburn - Osburn Modern Glass, Ron Hinkle, and Appalachain Glass all make paperweights. Check their websites.

Max just for you - I did find TAMARACK has a large - more than a dozen different paperweight made in WV available this day.

Below you'll find photos of my favorites.
Glass Potted Lily Paperweight
Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors at your office with this hand-blown potted Lily paperweight by John Murphy. Colors of flowers will vary.
4" x 3.5" x 4"
$59.00
Glass Pyramid with Geese in Flight
Decorate your desk with this pyramid shaped hand made glass paperweight made by Fred Wilkerson, Jr. Inside you will find Geese in Flight. Each paperweight is unique and one-of-a kind.
3.5" x 4" x 2.5"
price $45.00
Red Glass Apple
Be the apple of someone's eye with this his glistening Ron Hinkle Glass Apple, it will be a delicious addition to your Ron Hinkle Glass Collection! Perfect gift for teachers or apple collectors.
2.5" x 4.5" x 2.5"
price $22.00

Blenko Glass Holiday Sale

Blenko Holiday Sale -

This is an excellent opportunity to have your new purchases SIGNED.

Mr. Walter Blenko and Mr. Bill Blenko will in house signing glass.

The dates and times will be posted along with other information to come from Blenko Glass.

Please plan to attend the Blenko Glass Holiday Sale.

Many new items - many items made just for this sale.

Plan to do most all your Holiday Shopping at Blenko Glass.

Coupons may be available on the Blenko Glass website.

Thank you for your questions about the sale. When I have more information I'll immediately do a post. HJH (imagine from webmaster Steve)

Xander Blue

In response to the Xander Blue questions. Xander Blue sends the following:
Hi Hillary,

I’m not quite sure what they mean. Movie? If so, some custom desks were designed & featured on the movie “The Stepford Wives” with Nicole Kidman! We have also been featured on HGTV. I hope this helps. Thanks so much!

Tammy L. Halladay
Xanderblue
P.O. Box 798
Skaneateles, NY 13152
(315)685-1092 P
(315)685-0267 F
Note: Readers Ted E, Mary Ellen and Annu previously stated: Stepford Wives and the #5 Bond Film.

No Excuses - GAS in Louisville

If you're reading Heart of Glass then I'm certain you know GAS = Glass Arts Society.
In 2010 GAS meets in Louisville, Ky. A short drive for most readers. Plan to attend, if only for the art auction and to view the exhibits.

GAS 2010
Important Exhibit InfoVisit www.GASLouisville2010.org for regular conference updates or email info@GASLouisville2010.org.

Variations - July

Variations - Blenko glass designed by Wayne Husted.
Heart of Glass is searching for photos of the entire series. If you own Variations please send photos and any information about the series you might possess.
Thanks HJH
Photo of July issue for Variations.

July swirl in Blenko Sea Green. Probably the best selling along with the Oval June design.

Blenko Holiday Sale -

Hillary We were in Milton last week our goal was a) to spend the childrens inheritance on West Virginia Glass, and b) to stop at the factory to purchase christmas gifts. We were disappointed in both endevors. We discovered not much is available. At the factory the colors were not ones we recognized but seemed more garish. The technique of old seems to be lost. The shop had little to offer, I saw none of the lamps you promised and the lamp I did view was a hot orange color. May I respectfully suggest you publish photos of current items. Or if you haven't been to Blenko in the last year or go, visit you will be surprised by the change we were. Timothy S.

Tim

Blenko is a small family owned factory. The craftsmen at Blenko glass have great skill and are creative. It is impossible to have the shelves full daily - sales are brisk at the Visitors Center. May I suggest you order on line, or phone 304 743 9081 to inquire about availability of items you desire.

Blenko is known for 'color' they often experiment with colors and add new ones yearly. Perhaps the color you saw was a 2nd (the Visitor Center receives 2nd frequently), or from a batch that wasn't correct thus it was sold at the VC.

I have been to Blenko in the last year. My views are different. I saw the freshly cleaned Fence of Glass designed by Joel Myers, I saw new fencing around the beautiful lake, and a very clean and polish gift shop with full shelves.

Blenko is getting ready for the Holidays! The Holiday sale is this month.

You neglected to mention where you are located. Consider returning for the Holiday Sale. I guarantee you the shelves will be filled. If this is impossible, use on line ordering, OR phone Blenko and speak with one of the knowledgeable ladies on staff at Blenko. They will help you.

You also mentioned 'technique' the techniques used at Blenko are old, well established techniques with an occassional tweat or alteration. The Harvey Littelton quote about technique is a better response to your statement than anything I might state.

Blenko http://www.blenkoglass.com/ the last remaining manufacture of antique glass in the USA. Blenko Glass where you buy handmade items and everything in the shop was made in the USA.

Hillary

“technique is cheap.” All I meant by that is that technique is available to everybody, that you can read the technique, if you have any background. technique in and of itself is nothing. But technique in the hands of a strong, creative person, like Voulkos or Dante Marioni, takes on another dimension. And it’s that other dimension that is the product of our educational system, of our uniquely American freedoms, and so on.
Harvey K. Littleton
“
—
Oral history interview with Harvey K. Littleton, 2001 Mar. 15, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Holiday Sale - Blenko Glass

Each year BLENKO GLASS www.blenkoglass.com holds a special sale. The shelfs are filled to over flowing.
The prices are excellent. Often discount coupons maybe found in newspapers and on line.
Don't miss the Holiday Sale.
Blenko Glass a family owned business. A West Virginia company employing West Virginians.
Buy Made In the USA!