It's been a very long time since I've posted anything. I've come to the realization, that unless I have several hours of free time it's very difficult to find time to devote to this blog. With my job taking a chunk of my time (not complaining I'm blessed to have one) and with Karin working every day since the day after Christmas (she has started a new job) I just don't have the time I did before. The sad part, is that there is so much news one doesn't know where to begin.


Blenko Glass Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 67
Milton, WV 25541
January 30, 2009
For Immediate Release
Blenko Glass Company announced today that it is shutting down production and is discussing with its counsel whether it should consider filing for bankruptcy. The Blenko Visitor’s Center will continue to remain open. The Milton based manufacturer of hand made glass was sued by Big Two Mile, its former gas supplier, four years ago because of a disagreement about the payments due for gas used at the factory. A court found in favor of Big Two Mile and entered a judgment against Blenko for more than $500,000 in September of 2005. Several proposals for settlement of the case were made by Blenko; none of the proposals was accepted.
Over the past three years members of the Blenko Family were in contact with members of the Maier Family who are the owners of Big Two Mile. Blenko was led to understand that Big Two Mile would not take steps to shut down Blenko. Relying on those assurances Walter Blenko of Pittsburgh PA and Don Blenko of Wellesley MA invested more than 2 million dollars in Blenko in an effort to return the company to profitability. In recent months the company’s losses had been reduced and Blenko management was looking forward to seeing a positive cash flow in the company’s operations.
On January 15, 2009, Big Two Mile took steps to seize “all amounts, deposits, and moneys” in the Blenko Glass bank accounts including its payroll and withholding accounts. Blenko first learned of Big Two Mile’s action on January 23, when Blenko’s bank reported that the bank accounts had been emptied.
Blenko had issued a check on that day to pay for gas that it used in its glass making furnaces. When Blenko learned its funds had been seized it was able to recover the check which was already in the mail. Because of nonpayment Blenko’s gas supplier has refused to supply gas for the glass making process after January 31, 2009. Blenko has therefore shut down its furnaces and some of them will be destroyed due to the loss of heat.
Blenko employs approximately 50 employees. Walter Blenko, President of Blenko Glass, said “I want to thank and pay tribute to the many loyal employees of Blenko Glass who worked diligently and faithfully against bad economic conditions to keep the company operating and producing world renowned Blenko Glass up until the last day.”
For further information please contact: Walter Blenko, President, or Katie Trippe, Assistant Vice President, at (304) 743-9081.

Changes at Blenko

The Blenko Glass Company sent out the following press release:

Blenko Glass in Milton has made organizational and management changes in response to changing market conditions. Richard Blenko, Gene Weekley and Brent Aikman are no longer with the company. During a stockholders meeting Monday, William H. Blenko Jr., Walter J. Blenko Jr. and Don B. Blenko Jr. were elected directors. William Blenko was elected chairman, Walter Blenko was elected president, and Don Blenko was elected vice president. The Blenko Glass Company will remain, as it always has, a family owned and run company continuing to make hand blown glass in West Virginia.


I have received a report that along with the three employees mentioned above several other employees have been dismissed including 18 year Blenko employee Rodney Wade, who was served as shop foreman. Rodney was apparently dismissed on 10/1/08.

As far as we can tell these changes will not have any effect on the Blenko Collectors Society, but we will keep everyone posted.

Photos from Milton

The view from driving in to Milton


After I took this picture I realized this is the exact spot a photo from one of Blenko Glass postcards was shot.


A special thanks to John and Kay Homburg for inviting us to visit their wonderful garden with several thousand pieces of Blenko Glass.


Russell Harris and Diana Dickson get a preview of the vintage glass sale.


The glass right after opening the doors


Mr. Bill Blenko and Deloris with and his nephew Andy Blenko with his wife Tricia Blenko and their family.


Raffling off a $2000 piece of Blenko Glass. The color looks like a Juniper/Plum combo.


Karin and Mr. Blenko near the end of the festivities.

Images from Milton, WV

Karin picks up a few things in the warehouse. We're gonna need a bigger car!



Is that the West Virginia Anniversary Piece? Yes it is and it is a beautiful as everyone has said.



GREAT STREET NAME!



A special Sneak Peek at future designs?

What's that?

Yes, we have arrived and have been to the factory where we came across this little beauty. That's right it's the "Mistral" piece in Seabreeze. It's more beautiful up close.

We're here having a quick breakfast

We arrived at 10pm local time (9 pm Dallas, time) dog-tired, but excited to back in West Virginia. Expect the photos to start being posted today. Now we are off to a quick breakfast and then to the factory.

I love a Rainy Day but...

We drove in the rain all the way from DFW to Memphis Tennessee. Not a sprinkling, but a good old fashion gully-washer, toad strangler, well you get the message. The skies are are clearing. Now for some more antiquing.