Harry Thompson -

These are photos (more to come) of items owned by the Larry Thompson family of Danville, Indiana. These items were made by HARRY THOMPSON or for Harry Thompson many while he worked at BLENKO GLASS in Milton, WVa.

Harry Thompson is being added to the FEATURED CRAFTSMEN on the http://www.blenkoproject.org/ website in August there he will join Shorty Finley. The Blenko Project is searching for retired Blenko Craftsmen , if your family member worked at Blenko and you have photos we'd love to record your history
in the BLENKO PROJECT.

Estate of Winslow Anderson

ESTATE SALE OF WINSLOW ANDERSON (Item #: 1291)
Classified Ad Info FYI
Lenox china and crystal, lots of vintage collectibles and antiques, many from his travels abroad. Victorian sofa/setee, old yacht models and kits, pottery wheel, vintage cookware and lots more. Complete household, too much to list. Must see to believe!! 1245 Washington Ave. Milton Sat. 10 am - 5 pm Sun. 11 am - 5 pm From Rt. 60: turn onto Smith St (by Heck Funeral Home), go to April Dawn Park. Turn right then 2 blocks to Washington AVe. From Rt. 64: Take Milton exit, right turn after Go-Mart, stay on that road until you see Washington Ave.
rice:

Buy Made In West Virginia

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there..."Will Rogers

Dave Osburn of Osburn Modern Glass made this item for me, 2 of my special friends received their PHARM D (doctor of Pharmacy) degrees this summer. He made one in gold/red and this one in shades of green (my friends favorite colors). UNIQUE items and oh so affordable!

Before you purchase a WEDDING GIFT, A GRADUATION GIFT, Birthday Gift, Host Gift check out WEST VIRGINIA CRAFTSMEN you will be surprised at whats available. I've learned if you want something and you don't see it - ASK - can you make this? How much will it cost? Many times the artist will say NO! or the cost will be too much (for me as a student) but often - the artist - will take the idea and produce a wonderful item - a unique item - one you will be proud to give and the recipient will proudly own. hjh

WVa Dental Association

This weekend the West Virginia Dental Association is having its annual meeting at the GREENBRIER.
http://www.greenbrier.com/site/ The Greenbrier, an award winning, five-diamond luxury resort and hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, featuring three world championship golf ... I had not been to the GREENBRIER in the last 7 years, we were last there for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary weekend.
I'll post photos - IF I can borrow a camera - mine died in Pa last weekend.
2008 Annual Session of the West Virginia Dental Association
Date:
July 20, 2008 - July 22, 2008
City:
White Sulphur Springs

Harry Thompson's Glass (2)

These items were made by or for Harry Thompson during his time in the glass making business. Harry Thompson began his work at BLENKO GLASS leaving only because he wanted a better life for his family and INDIAN GLASS offered more money for a craftsman with his skill.

Mr. Larry Thompson provided this brief description of the glass photos: IF you have questions or need for information about an item, write theblenkoproject@aol.com and we'll provide larger copy and ask Mr. Thompson for the info you desire. I know you will relish seeing this wonderful collection, the items are all uniquely beautiful - - - made even more special by learning about Mr. Thompson. Now I will begin my quest to own a HARRY THOMPSON piee of Blenko to add to my Shorty Finley, Les Womack, Dave Osburn, Randy Rider, Powers shelf. THANK YOU TO THE THOMPSON FAMILY for sharing.
The plates were made in 1939 by the blenko people for mom and dad's wedding. they were used for thanksgiving dinner til we all graduated highschool, yes i graduated. The pinch glasses, creamer and cruet were aded to the table later.
Most of the air twist dad had given to family and i gathered it up.
The tangerine mugs were given to my oldest brother for his wedding.
Dad made several paperweights back in the controld buble days out of marine cristal with ruby and colbolt inside. The two in the picktures were made in the early 60's th show someone what would hold up under the heat of moltin glass.
The bell vase with colbalt foot is no.58 i am presuming that the ruby jug withe upside down handles is a end of day peace.

How was Vineyard Made?

West Virginia Janis ask:

The question was how was Vineyard made? The answer strangely enough can be seen on an old Blenko postcard. The postcard (which I have cropped here) in question shows a glass blower and helper. If you look close enough you can see the piece they are working on is a Vineyard design. I circled the piece in a purple line. Look closely where the yellow arrow is pointing and you can see the mold is full of holes. Thus when the blower blows into the mold the shape is formed, but several bubble poke through the holes. A very cool process, I was lucky enough to hear Wayne Husted describe how he found a piece of metal that had blanks punched through and that gave him the idea for Vineyard. Thank you to Tim and Karin Alonzo - Texas BLENKO Collectors.

Readers Respond - Bubble Glass

Note: This was published on FRIDAY - the BLOG Date is Incorrect -

Here is my "bubble" glass piece. The high end collectors don't tend
to like this line. Personally, I like glass with dots on it and would
love to know the process. Did they carve a mold with dots on it? How
were these pieces produced?

West Virginia Janis

I m betting there is at least one 'collector of BLENKO ' who knows the answer to WVa Janis' question. Please help!

Focus on... 968

Focus on... 968
Blenko Chianti style pitcher
decanter Blenko design #968 in
Amethyst by Winslow
Anderson. This piece is an
exciting and modern design by
Anderson. It was so unusual
that a guide book described
the piece as an experimental
design. An interesting feature
of pitcher/decanter is the
elongated spout. It is an
elegant design that was well
suited for its original purpose,
but can actually be viewed as
a work of art.

*From Texas Blenko Collectors Newsletter

Aug 21 -23 BLENKO GLASS CONVENTION

Blenko Glass Milton, West Virginia 304 743 9081 August 21 -23. BLENKO GLASS CONVENTION.If you are a COLLECTOR of West Virginia or BLENKO Glass this is a must do. If you aren't a collector of Blenko or West Virginia Glass this is a time you should come to Milton, see the people who make the glass, get a 'feel' for the company, the quality of glass, and enjoy this well planned 8/21-23 time.Because so many of you ask. We contacted Richard Blenko, CEO of Blenko Glass and he was kind enough to give us a brief overview of the plans. The date is finalized, many classes and other activities will continue to be added.Mr. Blenko said:"we are considering a paperweight class,jewelry making; casting class, dalle de verre and glass blowing."Mark your calendars - and plan to drive down/up to Milton for this event. Questions? Email theblenkoproject@aol.com<>> or phone Blenko Glass 304 743 9081.

Ebony - Black Glass - BLENKO

These photo are of my very small collection of EBONY GLASS. Ruby and EBONY are for me special 'Blenko' colors. hjh

Blenko Ebony

Blenko made ebony in 99 and 2000 then 2004 until 2007.

Tammy Kosla of Illinois provided the following photos and info about Ebony Blenko. This is

in response to WVA JANIS' question: What items were made in Ebony.

Page from the 1999 Blenko catalog showing the first Blenko items made in ebony
(click for a full sized image)

This is the Blenko 8432M in ebony sitting on top of an ebony 9316.

AUGUST 21 - 23 BLENKO CONVENTION

Blenko Glass Milton, West Virginia 304 743 9081 August 21 -23. BLENKO GLASS CONVENTION.
If you are a COLLECTOR of West Virginia or BLENKO Glass this is a must do. If you aren't a collector of Blenko or West Virginia Glass this is a time you should come to Milton, see the people who make the glass, get a 'feel' for the company, the quality of glass, and enjoy this well planned 8/21-23 time.
Because so many of you ask. We contacted Richard Blenko, CEO of Blenko Glass and he was kind enough to give us a brief overview of the plans. The date is finalized, many classes and other activities will continue to be added.
Mr. Blenko said:
"we are considering a paperweight class,jewelry making; casting class, dalle de verre and glass blowing."
Mark your calendars - and plan to drive down/up to Milton for this event. Questions? Email theblenkoproject@aol.com or phone Blenko Glass 304 743 9081.

Readers Respond to Bubble Glass Question.

“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” The questions come daily, and you guys are always so kind to provide answers, more insight, and sometimes photos. Your responses I'm certain are what make the new / beginner collectors return!
Some mornings while reading my mail I feel like a STAR WARS character. Yet it seems the BLENKO GLASS and WV Glass lovers always arrive to assist to provide support for me and for BLENKO GLASS. Belonging to a community is a 'good thing.'
Heart of Glass blog has the most terrific, enthusiastic, loyal readers in the world .

amodernguy has left a new comament on your post "Answer: Question about Bubble Glass":
The photo is indeed of Blenko's Vineyard line.There were also some pieces done utilizing a "controlled bubble" technique where small air bubbles were evenly positioned in the glass as part of the design. I have a charcoal lamp with these controlled bubbles. There is a photo of it currently on a post regarding mid- 20th century lamps at Just a Modern Guy. Note: Chuck and his bride Ms. Modern Gal own the PURPLE MOON in downtown Charleston. The #1 place in the tri state for Vintage 20th
Century items of quality. When you visit - if you don't see what you want - ask them - they'll help you find the item(s).
hjh

New Item at Blenko- SHARK's TEETH

Note and Photo from Holly - Blenko Collector - Huntington area.

This is a new addition - apparently Blenko is now making SHARK'S TEETH! My husband, the avid diver and fearless creature of the deep that he is instantly scooped up one of these babies and ran to the counter like a man being hunted by Jaws himself!
And since we didn't have one - well - I happily obliged. I think it was about $20 and well worth it as it took its rightful place next to its smaller and more toothy counterparts at home.

A BIG Thank you to Holly!

Answer: Question about Bubble Glass

A Huntington Reader wrote with Question about "Bubble Glass"- I sent the following note to Alonzo's of Texas:
tim and karin
BLOG question:
Reader is writing about BUBBLE GLASS?
Did Blenko?
Do you have photo of?
etc...
Hillary

Hi Hillary,By bubble glass are your referring to Blenko's Vineyard line? I am attaching an image.-Tim

Tim - i don't know we'll post the photo you sent and wait to hear from the reader. Thank you for providing answers and photo. HJH

Note: thanks to Jedijawa http://not-my.blogspot.com/ for technical help - Check out his blog - the topics change daily.

Spiritual Enlightenment

Spiritual Enlightenment and Spiritual Awakening is the primary goal of almost all spiritual practices, traditions and religions and for any spiritual seeker. There are many names for this awakened state of Consciousness depending on what culture and tradition we belong to.

Now even OPRAH offers an online course. http://www.oprah.com/

While improving Spiritual Enlightenment or personal growth can happen during our daily living -recently Ravi (blog reader BLENKO Collector from the midwest) went on the trip of a lifetime. He did 3 weeks with a spiritual leader in the Himalayas.

The Himalayas serves different purpose for different people. For some it is a holiday destinations with exotic and picturesque locations, for an adventure sports buff it is the ultimate adventure destination and for a spiritual and holy person it is the abode of god. It is the home for Hindu's most important spiritual centers. For most of the people it is the mountain range with the highest peaks of the world but for a holy person it is much more than that. It is the place for his or her faith and religion.

Ravi sent photos to the blog which I am publishing today - we hope he'll provide a guest post soon about his adventure.

While the photos are not of GLASS - they will I am sure bring you pleasure. hjh

Mystery or Micracle On Craig Street

For several years we have admired a couple 'steel entry doors' on Craig Street the doors are very well designed - older - colorful - and have what looked like BLENKO rondel in the middle. The doors were a mystery, a beautiful mystery that beckoned each time we have occasion to walk Craig Street. Saturday while walking and deciding where to eat, a gentleman was standing in front of the door - he was taking measurements of a window. We started to talk about the 'entry doors' he told me" he grew up in Weirton, West Virginia, played football -perhaps he knew my grand dad as he said he was friends with a HUMMY Homburg from the Island- ,he married the love of his life (who recently passed) he has 2 wonderful daughters, terrific grandchildren, loved Pennslyvannia - particularly Pittsburgh, and Somerset. Mr. Cantini showed me photos of his many artist creations - gave me the addresses in Pittsburgh to see his work. I told him about Blenko Glass and the wonderful vivid colors, he told me he was familiar with HUNT GLASS in Pittsburgh. It was a 'Magical Meeting', a mystery solved, I felt like a Miracle Took Place On Craig Street !
NOTE: The following is from webmaster Steve & Wiki about my new friend Virgil Cantini

Virgil D. Cantini
Born
1919Italym
Nationality
Italian-American,U.S. Resident since 1930
Field
Enamelist, Sculptor
Training
Manhattan College,Carnegie Mellon University,PhD, Duquesne University
Works
"Man" sculpture (1965)
Awards
Time Magazine "Hundred Leaders of Tomorrow" (1953)Guggenheim Fellowship (1957)
Virgil David Cantini (1919 - ) is an enamelist,sculptor and educator. He has many large scale works throughout the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Professor Cantini has been a long time member of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, formerly chair of the Department of Art,[ now Professor of Studio Arts, Emeritus.[ As an artist, he is known for innovation with enamel and steel. He has received both local and national recognition for his work, including honorary awards, competitive prizes and commissions, and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1957.

My camera died on the way home from PA, so it may be a few days before I can get my personal pics of Mr. Cantini uploaded. Here are a few images of his works around pictures taken from the web.

Joyful People Fountain in East Liberty section of Pittsburgh

Outside Law Building Univ Of Pitt
Mr. Cantini dedicated this sculpture, titled Space, to Chancellor Litchfield, who served from 1956 to 1965.
Duquesne University
In the late sixties Mr.Cantini traveled to Ecuador to teach artwork as a means for people there to support themselves. While there, Cantini had the people make this tapestry and others like it (there is one of a bull in his home) using his designs.