West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Telling West Virginia's Story
Blenko Glass is offering a limited-edition vase commemorating West Virginia’s 153rd birthday.
The state Division of Culture and History says in a news release that 153 cobalt blue and topaz vases made at Blenko in Milton are available for $54. They will be unveiled Monday during an all-day state birthday celebration at the Culture Center in Charleston.
In addition, 100 special-edition pitchers made at Blenko are available for $63.
Blenko has been making hand-blown glass products since 1893.
The Blenko Glass Company in Milton has started working on its 2015 West Virginia Day piece, “Autumn Flame.”
The Herald-Dispatch reports the vase, which pays tribute to West Virginia’s trees, will go on sale June 20 in celebration of the state’s 152nd birthday.
Designer Arlon Bayliss says when thinking about this year’s piece, he thought it would be a good idea to design shapes based on leaves since trees and national forests are very important to the state. Bayliss is from England and has been the designer at Blenko for eight years.
As is tradition, just 152 “Autumn Flame” pieces will be available for sale at the Blenko Visitor Center. The limit is one per person.