July 4th Weekend At BLENKO GLASS

The July 4th weekend is approaching - take some time out, take your out of town visitors down to BLENKO GLASS http://www.blenkoglass.com/ for an afternoon or morning of shopping. My Blenko friends, tell me the shelves are full of new and exciting creations. There are numerous items marked at up to 75% OFF and remember every item in the Visitors Center started at l/2 of retail.

Buying at the factory is always a 'good idea.'

You don't have to collect WV or Blenko Glass to enjoy a day trip to Blenko or Milton, Milton, West Virginia is a wonderful small town experience. The shops are clean, and full of items from the past, the shopkeepers are informed and always ready to make a deal! Milton has home town cooking and a number of national chain fast food places.

The people who decide to live in Milton are self reliant, independent and very welcoming, you'll enjoy your visit.

FROM BLENKO GLASS RE: JULY 4th:

Announcement: There will be no demonstrations on Friday, July 3. The Visitor Center will be open on July 3 and July 4 for the holiday. Hours for July 4th are 9 to 3.

Photo of Visitors Center from Blenko Glass Company website.

Still looking for Blenko Fish?

Hilary :

Yesterday I saw this one: Designed by Anderson for Blenko! The ad goes like this, Small fish shaped vase designed in 1952, #971S in Chartreuse, 5.5in.H x 3.25in.D, $265

Blenko Fish continue to increase in price, the new ones currently cost between $125 - $280 making this vintage anderson in chartreuse an awesome purchase.

Timmy Carson

Photo Art - Link?

Good morning!

I saw your reply to the inquiry regarding a nice gift for a Blenko collector. Maybe I'm "blog-challenged" but I didn't see a link on which to click to take me to the photo art by Damon Crain.

Can you tell me how to access this art and possibly purchase some for myself? I've had no success "googling" to find it.

Thanks so much!

Carol Sugg
Charlotte, NC
My goof up - here is the link -
http://www.vmglasshouse.com/ltdedphoto.htm Carol I didn't include the link and I haven't published the post about Damon's photo art. Click on this link, and if you purchase, please send a copy of your print hanging on the wall to 'heart of glass'. Damon Crain's work is always outstanding. hjh

Antique Treasures (and Blenko Glass) in Nitro, WV

Recently we spent a lazy Sunday afternoon Antiquing in Nitro on Sunday, we came upon some beautiful vintage Blenko pieces (see photos below). Also many vintage items from Fenton, Fostoria and Pilgrim glass were available for sale, at prices I found to be very reasonable (note: lots of non-glass items - if you are in to that sort of thing!).

Below are places in which we observed good deals on vintage Blenko (and other fun collectibles) while in Nitro:

Somewhere In Time Antiques - With nearly 100 booths there is something for everyone!
307 21st St Nitro, WV 25143
(304) 755-0734‎

Nitro Antique Mall LLC - More than 31 vendors with 3 floors of antiques and collectibles!
110 21st St Nitro, WV 25143
(304) 755-5002‎

Nitro Auction House & Antique - Have fun bidding on vintage treasures!
1190 21st StNitro, WV 25143

(304) 755-3694‎

Know any other great places to shop for antiques in the tri state or online? Let us know!

Blenko Chess Piece

Dr. Hilary
Saw this one for sale last evening. Is this the vase you call 5929S and is this a great price? Also is charcoal rare? Should I pay more for rare color? What about the acid stamp does this also mean I should pay more?
Dr. Bob
Dr. Bob, This is not a 5929S - Charcoal is one of the limited Blenko colors and acid stamp means its a vintage item. Check out Blenko Collectors Four website for descriptions of the Blenko stamps and labels.
Re: Price - a good price is the price you want to pay.
HJ

This stunning decanter made in 1959 stands just UNDER 15 " tall. The official Blenko color is referred to as Charcoal. The shape is fantastic, often referred to as the "Chess Piece". This was designed by Wayne Husted for Blenko in 1959, Blenko catalog #5922s. The base has the acid etched / sand blasted Blenko logo.

Stopper Not Fitting ? What to do.... suggestions.

Hilary

My West Virginia Birthday 2009 decanter has a stopper that doesn't fit. I tried to call Blenko about the problem. I am certain it is a unique to me issue, but no one has returned my call.

Did anyone else get a stopper that isn't holding straight?

Suggestions from anyone as to what to do are welcome? Should I try super glue?

Brandi



Brandi,

While I delivered the 2009 B-day vase to WVU in mid June, I wasn't at the June 20th event and have no knowledge of issue with stopper. You are the first to write to the blog - so I'm thinking its just your stopper.

You didn't include an email address - or I would have made this less public.

Phone Blenko and / or if you are close by go in.

Randy Rider and his crew of men are expert glass craftsmen and they would never knowingly allow a mis fit stopper to leave Blenko.

Please contact them, let me be the first to apologize to you for your inconvenience. Blenko is known for handcrafted, quality man glass. We want to keep the reputation high and in tact.

Hillary

Reader Writes

Hillary,
We took the grandchildren to Blenko three times this summer and have yet to see the glass being made. Is there a schedule they stick to?
Lynn M.
Lynn
Blenko does have a schedule, and it is followed. However, phone 304 743 9081 before you travel and ask " will glass demos be available today, if so what time." Blenko is a small (50 employees including management and visitors center) manufacturer.
Your grandchildren will never forget the experience, even now, I can think of no better way to spend an afternoon.
Hillary
Note: BLENKO does not conduct glass making demos on weekends!
Often no demos are available on holidays - so check before you drive, the Visitors Center is open 7 days a week, the beautiful museum (upstairs) and the magnificent glass garden and pond are available for viewing 7 days a week. Bring your lunch, eat at one of the tables. Experience BLENKO GLASS. Questions about Blenko, comments, photos send these to theblenkoproject@aol.com.
This message is from the Blenko Glass Website:
Blenko Glass, an American family tradition.

Announcement: There will be no demonstrations on Friday, July 3. The Visitor Center will be open on July 3 and July 4 for the holiday.

Blenko Decanters

Hi Hillary,

I was pleased to see the comments on the last photo you posted to the blog so I thought it was only fitting to shoot this one in response to the comment referencing the "lemon" piece.

A nice pair of Blenko 6530S's in Chestnut and Lemon.

The Chestnut was a Ebay mislist from a couple years back and the Lemon was on the bottom shelf of a flea market stall that I periodically check and found last week for $10.00.

The optics in the decanters as well as the stoppers really are spectacular.

Enjoy

Bruce Specht