This weekend, Walter Blenko (left) and Dean Six were at Replacements, Ltd, in Guilford County on Knox Road. They drove here from the factory in Milton, WV to do a meet-and-greet and to offer hand-blown, glass items for sale. These items can be purchased at the Blenko Glass Company's factory store, online, and at select stores around the United States. The Blenko Glass Company has been in Milton, WV since 1922. They are known not only for hand-blown glass, but also for hiring designers to develop creative and innovative items. While Blenko does have some clear/crystal items, as seen from the photograph above, their hallmark is their use of color in their pieces. Blenko is also known for making sheet glass for stained glass windows, including the glass in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
Dean Six, a leading authority on glassmaking in the United States, especially West Virginia glass, is no stranger to Greensboro. Before Blenko hired Dean as Vice President of Marketing and Sales, he worked for Replacements, and one Thursday a month, he hosted a glass club meeting at Replacements. People came from miles around to share information, to learn about their glass collections, and to take advantage of Dean's great expertise.
Both men were delightful to talk to on Saturday; however, once Mr. Blenko started engraving his signature on pieces of glass, he hardly had time for a drink of water or to even look up. Not featured in the above photo is his lovely wife, Patti Blenko who chatted with customers who were waiting in line to get their glass signed. She is the Brand Ambassador and Assistant to the President, and indeed, a good one. She is so enthusiastic about the glass and has been busy getting the Blenko Museum in Milton is good order for all to enjoy. We hope to see the trio at Replacements again, soon.
The Blenko glass certainly looks pretty.
Posted by: William Kendall | Monday, September 28, 2015 at 04:16 PM