Heart of Glass

Rondels and Bullseyes

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Blenko Glass in Milton, WV is the only American producer of Antique handrolled glass.

The Blenko Glass line is most important in the restoration of Anitque Glass Windows. Don Lemley (304 743 9081) is the Director of Antique Glass. Questions about this line - phone Don Lemley.

The BLenko Glass website has the following info about Rondels and Bulleyes.

Glazing of windows with small, round pieces of glass was very common in the Middle Ages in private homes as well as public buildings. In old towns, some of these windows, set in lead channels, may still be found in sensitively restored buildings.
Genuine rondels are produced one by one at Blenko Glass Company, Inc. in the traditional mouth blown method. Every rondel is a unique piece - brilliant and alive, setting it apart from pressed or cast imitations.
Molten glass is taken from the furnace with the blowpipe. The amount of the glass gathered determines the eventual size in the rondel. The molten glass is blown out into a small bubble. The circumference of the bubble is the second important factor determining the final size to be produced. The production of a uniform, high quality rondel depends on the skill and experience of the "rondelmaster". The small, still hot ball of glass will now be attached to a pontil rod and broken from the blowpipe. After reheating it is opened with a pair of shears. Using a special technique the "rondelmaster" then folds the edges, lending strength to the rondel, making it more workable. Spinning the glass, a small, round rondel is formed. After reaching the desired size, the rondel is tapped off the pontil rod and slowly cooled in an annealing oven.
The characteristic navel, caused by breaking the glass off the blowpipe is an unmistakable sign of genuinely mouth blown rondel.

Blenko has been producing hand-spun rondels for over 100 years using a process that dates back to Medieval times. Our rondels range in size from 3" up to 14" and can be custom cut into to "bullseye panes" for restoration purposes.

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Question: Hilary
Can you provide for me the name and address of the glass maker in Milton (not Blenko) who does those beautiful glass Christmas ornaments?
Ruth H.

Ruth, Dave Osburn of Osburn Modern Glass is the only glassmaker in Milton other than Blenko Glass. His phone number is listed below.
Readers: Do you know anyone else in Milton who makes glass Christmas Ornaments? If so share the contact with Ruth.

Osburn Modern Glass
Milton, WV 25541
p: (304) 743 9280 Milton, WV 25541
p: (304) 743 9280

Blenko Inspired Art

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:14:00 +0000

hillary
I have 2 request. One can you publish photos of all the Blenko Birthday Pieces along with information about each?
2nd request : Long ago you published a photo of bronze Blenko inspired art piece. Will you publish this again as I cant find the article. Also publish contact info for the maker.
Thank you
Gordon L.
Gordon, Perhaps in January I'll republish the WV Birthday Vase, this series seems to appeal a large number of readers.
Re: Photo of the metal art. If I can readily find - I'll republish.
HJH

Blenko Catalog

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:52:00 +0000

Heart of Glass always recommends buying Blenko Glass catalogues and all reference books, so you can the informed buyer. Stu's question is about new catalogues.

My question is, When, where and how to get

the lastest print editions of Blenko Catalogs.

How do I order, or buy?

Who is the contact person? Can I make and pay for this on line

Is there a 2009 hard copy? When is 2010 available

Stu L.

Stu,

Sent your note to Blenko Glass. When we get a response I'll publish here.

Anyone have suggestions for Stu?

hjh

Keith Lahti - Pottery / Stain Glass etc.

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:37:00 +0000

www.claywestvirginia.com
Blog Friend and Most excellent West Virginia Artist Keith Lahti is having his annual Holiday Show (discounted prices and its for friends only - BUT you're all invited) Keith has given me permission to invite all Blog Readers.
See the invite below:
You are invited to the
Annual Holiday Show of Pottery
Created by Keith Lahti
With Ceramic Jewelry by Cree Lahti

Saturday and Sunday
November 14 & 15
Noon to 5:00 Each Day

Directions: I-79 to Big Otter, Exit 40 (Rt. 16). North on Rt. 16 to Nebo (about 3 miles), Right on Nebo-Walker Rd. and go 8/10 of a mile,
Bear left up hill (sign says Nebo Baptist Church).
Go to top of hill & down the other side,
Driveway is on left at bottom of hill.
Phone (304) 286-2635,
(call if you need another time)

Also happening out this way the same days:
Open Studio at McColley Studio with-
Connie McColley, Sterling Silver Jewelry
Lynn Gundry, Stained Glass
Tom McColley, Turned Wooden Bowls

I'll have directions to their Studio here.
Make it a day of craft!

More Blenko Ebay Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Hi Doc,
Just wanted to share this photo of a couple older pieces of Blenko. The Amethyst piece is a #375 that I just picked up mislisted. It is actually one of a pair that I ended up sharing with another local collector. The Jonquil piece appears to be a #488 which shows up in the Eige book only as an ad.
Enjoy
Bruce

Can We Help This Reader Identify Her Decanter?

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:08:00 +0000

Linda - will you write again to give you the size - measure the bottle, also tell us about the bottom of the bottle - what do you see when you look at the bottom (marks - Blenko etched?) HJH

Hello! I have a Blenko decanter I purchased at an Estate Sale here in Northeast Ohio. It is the white opaque semi-transparent glass that Wayne Husted made on in the year 1960. I was told that the flame stopper is not the original. I have a picture and would like to share it with you. Could you please let me know if the stopper is NOT the original? I wondered if Wayne Husted would remember this piece and if by chance he produced some of these decanters with this white cased stopper that came with the decanter when I purchased it.
Thank you so much for your time and any helpful information you can provide.
Sincerely,
Linda

Vacation West Virginia !

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:06:00 +0000

Hilary
We heard you said: "vacation in west virginia" spend your dollars in state.
If you did say this. My question is where? There are no beaches in West Virginis.
Why would anyone want to?
Where would one go if they did want this?
What is in West Virginia other than Blenko Glass?
Pete C.
Pete,
Your email made me laugh - and I needed a good laugh, this was a difficult week as spam filled my Blog , and comments were cancelled for the last few days.

Readers please write to suggest places in our beautiful state Pete might want to visit.
My suggestion would be www.wvtourism.com .
When you cross the state line - from Ohio, Virginia, Ky, Maryland you enter a wild, wonderful, friendly place filled with remarkable people and a majestic beauty.
Pete, Blenko Glass is only one of many glass shops in West Virginia.Fenton Glass, Osburn Modern Glass, Appalachian Glass, Hinkle's Glass Studio, etc. the list is very long!
The West Virginia Glass Museum http://wvmag.bglances.com/index.htmlin Weston and TAMARACK www.tamarackwv.com near Beckley bring thousands of visitors to West Virginia each year.

Fenton Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:48:00 +0000

Fenton Glass. A West Virginia Glass Company.

Check out QVC for best selection of FENTON GLASS.

http://www.fentonglass.com/

Fenton Glass - A West Virginia Glass Co.

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Photo: Tom Fenton showing the machine that charges the furnaces taken 05/22/2006. A glass worker carrying a QVC piece to the annealing oven is photo 50 taken when production was very limited on 08/20/2007. http://www.fentonartglass.com/

Note: On November 7th a Fenton represenative will be at the Bronze Look in Princeton, W.Va.

http://www.thebronzelook.com/

www.blenkoproject.org

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Visit www.blenkoproject.org to learn about West Virginia Glass. Made in WV Glass. The Blenko Project will soon be moving to a new website address - In 2010 I'll keep you posted.
HJH

Appalachian Glass Festival - April 22, 23, 24 th Weston, WV

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:37:00 +0000

Glass collectors, and people who want to learn more about West Virginia Glass will want to attend this festival.
My parents and I went to the First Appalachian Glass Festival several years ago - we took Shorty Finley and another retired Blenko Glass blower.
We stayed from 10 am until 8pm, the day was filled with games, glass demonstrations - I don't have a schedule for this year, but I'll post one very soon.
Mark your calendars.
If I'm not on call I plan to be there, interviewing older glass workers, eating funnel cake and playing Marble King marble games.
Everyone is WELCOME - There was no cover charge. Bring the children, food is available on site.

West Virginia Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Weather forecaster predicts a bright sunny weekend. Take your family on a road trip to search for West Virginia Glass.

From Morgantown, Clarksburg, Weston, Parkersburg, Charleston,

Beckley, TAMARACK, Princeton, google West Virginia Glass then choose your location.

Open today are Appalachian Glass, The Bronze Look, BLENKO GLASS, and Tamarack Happy Shopping!

Harry Thompson - Glass Worker From West Virginia

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:20:00 +0000

Why Did Harry Thompson leave Blenko, and what was his life like after - this was the most often ask ' Harry question' in my mail box . Today Harry's Son Larry Thompson writes about Harry's life. Larry also sent these photos from his collection of Harry's work. I'll post the other two later - Blogger is having difficulty with photos this day.

DR. Hillary, Many readers have asked why Harry Thompson (my Dad) left Blenko and what he did afterwards. I n the summer of 1966 a man came to our house named Jules Schanga from the head company of Indiana Glass, I watched them talk and saw Harry shake his head in the negative several times in the conversation. the next two times they met I wasn't able to watch them but the end result was that Harry was offered a 50% increase in pay and they would pay to move us to Indiana so that Harry could set up the handcraft shop and run it. Harry was also asked to find workers for the hand shop. Harry told me that he did not wont to personally talk to the Blenko men that he wanted because he did not want to influence their decision to move so he put typed notes on the cars of the workers he would to work with that read (meet me at the dodropin, something important) and Mr Schanga met the men that showed up. These men never new that Harry was involved until there first day of when they were told that they would meet there Forman. When they rounded the corner into the hand shop there stood Harry. They greeted like long lost brothers. The first items the made were from the old Bichoff molds. Harry wanted to make some fancy stemware but they would not make a good cristal fore him. Tom Connely and Harry worked on the GFC line. I was in the Service 1969 to 1971 so I dont know all the details but Harry had to get a halve a dozen people to agree on any thing he suggested, and when Virginia was diagnosed with Cancer he did not wont to argue with them any more so he went th work at Sinclair Glass in Hartford City In. Virginia passed away in 1972. Harry remarried in 1976 , retired, moved to Okachobee Fl. where he became a fishing guide and was an acquaintance of Rolan Martin. Harry passed on the day before fathers day 1999. Here are some of the first items made at Indiana Glass Hand shop.

Thank to all Larry T.

Hearing about and from Blenko Glass workersm learning their stories is one of my favorite activities and we're preserving the history of Glass Making in West Virginia.

Have a story to share about Glass making in West Virginia? Know a retired glass worker whose story should be told email me: theblenkoglassproject@aol.com HJH

Blenko Drinking Glasses and Bar Ware

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:32:00 +0000

Hilary,

I broke several Blenko glasses, these are very old. They are bar ware glasses crystal with a circle of ruby.

Can I replace these? Does Blenko still make glasses and what is the cost?

Emily

Emily,

Blenko catalogue states 2 styles of water glasses are currently in production. Photos below. Price is $36 from the catalogue may be less at the Visitors Center in Milton, W.Va.

My parents own a couple dozen of the bar ware glasses you mentioned. Today I wrote to Blenko to ask if they are still being made, and if they have available photos.

Check back for the answer.

HJH

Gift Giving Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:30:00 +0000

Are you looking for a one of a kind Christmas Gift? We have the perfect gift! Randolph from the Bronze Look in Princeton, W.Va. sent this:
Bronze Look
(304) 425-5005
311 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
37.369943
-81.087717 www.thebronzelook.com

Photo is of Kelsey's carving of WV Black bears on a Frank Workman Vase that she does for us. I came up with the idea of having our black bears walking through the fall foilage. These sell for $950 and we only have three more blanks for a total of 6 being made. I also have her doing buffalos with mesas in the background.

Princeton Area Residents - WVU Tableware

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:45:00 +0000

For those Mountaineers in the Southern part of our great State.

The Bronze Look http://www.bronzelook.com/ has the items pictured available now.

Phone or drop by the Bronze Look.

Correction:

Link for The Bronze Look in Princeton, WVa.

http://thebronzelook.com/

Bronze Look
(304) 425-5005
311 Mercer St, Princeton, WV

Xander Blue -

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:17:00 +0000

What to do with Slab Glass? Well if you are talented...(smile)...or if like me - without talent but you love American Glass -you could phone and place an order...these people are the best!

Xander Blue fuses the mythical glow of old-world stained glass and the sleek style of high-tech construction; creating unique glass furniture for residential and business use. Each piece is custom made by designer, Andrew Ramsgard.
Today Xander Blue enjoys international recognition. Named to Glass Quarterly's Top Ten in 2003, it has since appeared in Paramount Pictures' The Stepford Wives and was prominently feature on the Bravo Network's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and HGTV's I Want That.
Interior Design Xander Blue furniture fuses the mythical glow of old world stained glass and the sleek...construction. From the intriguing Multiplication Tables to the seductive Ruby Bed, each piece is an enthusiastic blend of form and function, and an undeniable unique designs.
http://www.xanderblue.com/contact/add

Readers - Do you know a vendor using Blenko Glass? If so email theblenkoproject@aol.com so we can feature the product.

Help

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:05:00 +0000

If you see a mistake in the Heart of Glass Blog please email theblenkoproject@aol.com so we can make corrections. We appreciate your notification of errors etc and your photos and comments.
Thank you.
hjh

Blenko Lamp - Where can I find quality Blenko Lamps?

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:02:00 +0000

This is another ebay post for a Blenko Lamp. When we receive photos of lamps available at the Milton Visitors Center I'll post. Until then check out the online dealers.

Vintage 1950s Blenko Glass Dimpled Design Table Lamp

For sale here is a fine vintage 1950s dimpled design Blenko glass table lamp. Super modern design in art glass! Measures 27" high by 8" diameter at widest. Sold without a shade. Excellent vintage condition, see my photos, with only the wear and patina expected of an item of this age. Sold AS-IS with no returns.

Where to buy Blenko?

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Hillary:

A couple of the bloggers have asked about sites that sell Blenko. I’m listing a couple of my favorites. I may or may not have bought anything from these sites, but I like to browse. Have folks keep in mind, when I’m calling something “reasonable,” or “pricey,” I’m thinking in terms of what I’m willing to spend. Just for a frame of reference, I’m a nearly 30-year civil servant of the City of Los Angeles, with a passion for glass, but furloughed to the tune of a 10% pay cut due to the City’s deepening financial woes. Bottom line, I have income, but not unlimited funds.

Glasshouse: http://www.vmglasshouse.com/ This is Damon Crain’s site; he sells very good, sometimes very pricey examples of Blenko’s Historic Period (1947 – 1974). He also has sales, and you can sometimes pick up a very rare item at a reasonable price. Reasonable to me, anyway. Site is very well laid out, exquisite photos.

Retro Gallery: http://www.retroglass.com/client/index.php Located in Los Angeles, I’ve only driven by once on the way to a meeting, but even the building is vintage and cool looking. Nice pieces, but high prices, considering what I have been able to find by hunting. Site is well laid out, photos decent.

Glass Landing: http://www.glasslanding.com/ Site owned by two Blenko collectors. Not a lot of selection, but what’s there is very nice. Site easy to navigate, two successive pages of Blenko glass.

Ruby Lane Antiques: http://www.rubylane.com/ The ultimate online antique mall. If this was a brick and mortar store, I’d be there every week. Vast number of listings by different “booth” owners, some who know what they have, some who don’t. I have gotten some wedding presents through them. You can search by name, but know like eBay, not everything listed as Blenko actually IS Blenko. Try looking for “cat decanter” and see if you can’t find a Husted treasure.

Montano’s Glass Repair: http://www.montanosglassrepair.com/ I’m including Wayne Montano in my list because he has repaired one decanter and currently is repairing another for me. Reasonable price, FABULOUS work, I don’t know anyone else I’d trust with my Blenko repairs. I will do another post strictly on the repairs he’s done for me, with before and after photos. If you have an existing piece that the cat knocked over, or are considering buying something in less than perfect condition because the price is good, consider including repair work in the cost of the item.

Blenko has a list on their site of authorized vendors of new glass. For the vintage, and when all your other “usual suspects” have let you down, try Google. http://www.google.com/ I just now did a search for “blenko glass decanter,” and it gave me GoAntiques: http://www.goantiques.com/ I do not have any experience with this site, but it looks worth exploring. In the same search, I also found TIAS: http://www.tias.com/ Again, never shopped there, but it looks interesting. As with all online sites, be safe, check their purchasing policies, research what you are considering for purchase, and have fun.

Best,

Diane

Variations - A Very Valuable Blenko Series

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Hilary
What can you tell me of a Blenko collection called Variations,
when was it made how many pieces and do you have photos?
Carol
Carol,
I don't have photos, Two people (steve bair of Charleston and Wayne Husted of Calif ) who know the most about this grouping - I'll contact. Wayne Husted designed the series of 12 vases for Blenko. Steve Bair did all artist work on the campaign ( I believe this to be true- check back for a factual statement and photos.)
Hillary
Readers, Anyone have photos or info about this collection?
Note: Readers Wayne Husted has graciously agreed to write about the Varations Collection.
We need photos of this Collection - if you own Variations please send photos to
theblenkoproject@aol.com Thank you.
Wayne's post will appear each month in November.

Vacation without Glass ?

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Hillary,
Will you be available to speak with my glass club on the subject of Collecting Blenko Glass on Dec 18? If not Dec 18 are you available in Feb?
Kersha
Kersha, I'm printing your letter as I get 4 or 5 of these each month. I'm a full time GRP resident at Ohio State University. Until 6/2010 I am not available. My only scheduled vacation or off time is in late December and I plan to contact The Travel Professor (blogger at Huntington Herald with my budget and the #of days I have off - then he'll tell me where I'm going!) to ask for guidance re: destinations I can afford. I will not be thinking or speaking of glass during this holiday.
Keep reading, keep buying BLENKO GLASS and remember when you buy BLENKO GLASS you are buying Made In the USA! Support your local businesses when possible.
hjh
The link below is for the Travel Professor - if you haven't bookmarked this blog, do so. I read it weekly. He now has me convinced to use local travel agents. hjh
Click here: Blogs @ herald-dispatch.com: The Travel Professor

Glass Arts Society 41st Annual Conference - Mark Your Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Glass Art Society 41st Annual ConferenceTucson, Arizona, April 7-9,
GAS returns to the Sonoran Desert in April of 2011 when the weather in Tucson is second to none. "Viva el Vidrio" will be the theme of the Downtown Tucson-based conference focusing on the cross-cultural relations in Glass Art between the American Southwest, Mexico, and Latin America. In addition to lectures and demonstrations related to the theme, there will also be a concentration on local assets, notably the University of Arizona, and the Tucson Optics and Solar industries. The U of A Mirror Lab (Hubble etc.), and local optics and solar researchers will provide a component of Glass and Science, while the U of A Material Sciences and Architecture Departments will offer insights into Glass and Technology. Glass Art will be featured at local galleries, the U of A Museum of Art, and the Tucson Museum of Art. GAS hopes to reprise the famous "Flame-Off" which started here during the 1997 conference. Pre, post, and during conference activities include the Kitt Peak Observatory, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson's Botanical Gardens, Mount Lemmon, and the Saguaro National Park, amongst others. Golfers, hikers, birders, and food connoisseurs will all find something here to pique their interests. Devotees will get their fill of demos at the Sonoran Glass Art Academy, at Philabaum Glass Gallery and Studios and with the CMoG Hot Glass Road Show.

Your questions: Where to purchase Blenko lamps..

noreply@blogger.com (Hillary J Homburg) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:45:00 +0000

This photo is for the folks writing to ask about Blenko Lamps - I don't have photos of the lamps available at the Visitors Center in Milton - - - when they arrive I'll publish. I am going to publish lamps available from ebay or local vendors. . . until the Blenko Glass Visitors Center is able to send photos. This one is currently (for 15 more days) available on Ebay. Click here: BLENKO LP 18 LAMP EMERALD GREEN - eBay (item 390103382702

HERE IS A RARE BLENKO LP 18 LAMP IN EMERALD GREEN THAT IS ALL ORIGINAL. HAS ORIGINAL HARP AND FINIAL. EXCELLENT CONDITION NO CHIPS CRACKS OR REPAIRS. HAS A LITTLE ROUGHNESS ON A COUPLE OF SMALL SPOTS ON THE NECK VERY HARD TO SEE BUT YOU CAN FEEL IT. DOES NOT DETRACT. ON NECK MEASURES 35" TO TOP OF FINIAL. GLASS BODY MEASURES APPROX 17" TALL. FINIAL ON BRASS HOLDER IS 7" LONG. WIRING APPEARS ORIGINAL AND WORKS FINE BUT SHOULD BE CHECKED BY YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL