Remembering Blenko
Please allow me to start this post by pointing out that this economy sucks. I know you know that, I just have to say it every so often - because it really, really does.
Blenko Glass has shut down production. They’ve gotten behind on their gas bill, and a gas bill is no small affair when you need fires hot enough to melt glass. With a judgment of $500,000 due to the gas company, the public is left wondering whether Blenko will be able to resume production. You can read more from the Herald Dispatch here.
This morning I drove over to Blenko with memories filling my head. When I got married, my friend Christy gave me a pitcher and glasses in cobalt blue Blenko glass, made by her father. It’s been my favorite Blenko color ever since, and the basis of my collection. See how pretty it is all massed together, in this picture taken in the Blenko Gift Shop?
I remembered a time a couple years ago my younger daughter was having a stressful time at school. She told me she was sick and needed to stay home. I knew she was stressed, not sick, and I let her skip school. And then I took her to Blenko, and we looked at the ducks.
It’s hard to feel stressed when you’re looking at ducks. After a while I took her inside and let her watch the glassblowers work. She was fascinated by glass hot enough to cut with scissors and kept her eyes on every step of the process. Before we left the production area, she smiled hugely at the workers, and they smiled and nodded back to her. It’s not just beautiful glass, it’s art, and it’s made by people who live right here. Blenko has helped my children be proud of where they’re from.
I learned from my Japanese friends that it’s nice to be able to give a gift and say, “This is something special, made near my home.” Blenko glass has become the first thing I think of when it’s time to give a wedding gift or something unique for someone in another part of the country.
There’s just something about the way light shines through the colored glass, making shadows as beautiful as the glass itself.
Each piece handcrafted with pride by a group of artisans working in harmony. Teamwork and cooperation is required for each step. If anyone’s timing is off, the piece will be ruined. I’m thinking that glassblowers must be very in tune with their coworkers.
Since the 1920s, West Virginians have been able to share Blenko glass with the world. We miss you, Blenko, so if you can come back, please do. West Virginia just won’t be the same to be without you.
If you’re interested in learning more about Blenko glass, Heart of Glass by Hillary Homburg is a fabulous online resource. If you’re wondering what Blenko’s shut down may mean for collectible Blenko glass pieces, please read this post at Just a Modern Guy by Chuck Hamsher. If you just need to tell someone your Blenko memories, please feel free to leave a comment.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
This is so sad. I was waiting until my youngest was a bit older to go back and go through again. We went the summer I was pregnant with her and had a wonderful outing. My son loved it. We loved it. I hope they find a way to make a comeback.