Blenko Glass Co. threw its second annual Festival of Glass event Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8, at their Milton plant. Everyone who attended received a free Blenko stamped medallion commemorating the event and was given a chance to sign up for limited room only glass classes.
Guided factory tours, and glass classes were part of the agenda set for visitors on both days of the event. The classes included sandblasted medallion class, ring holder/paperweight class, dalle chipping class, and mobile class all of which could be taken for a small fee.
For a fee of $350, visitors could participate in a full-blown glass workshop. This workshop allowed each participant to experience first hand the process necessary to create a piece of handmade glass. The process began by making a hot glass ball that would later become the finished glass masterpiece. The hot glass ball would then blown by the participant, under the watchful eye of the skilled craftsman. Workshop attendees were able to work on at least 2-3 pieces of glass each.
The Blenko Glass Co. was founded in 1893 by William J. Blenko in Kokomo, Indiana. After a few failed ventures at running a glass factory Mr., Blenko took a job with Tiffany's in New York for $50 a week. In 1921, at age 67 he decided to move to Milton and worked alone blowing glass cylinders, and hit the road in an effort to sell them.
The company's early successes include providing glass for the stained glass windows of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, helping the company earn national renown. The work of the company's first designers achieved much critical acclaim, including having several designs receiving the Museum of Modern Art's Good Design Awards in 1950.
Two Blenko documentaries, gave the company national exposure and led to Blenko glas being frequently featured in PBS pledge drives nationwide. Fourth-generation company President Richard Blenko often personally participated in these pledge drives, generating a spike in publicity and positive effects for the company.
The tourist business has remained strong over the past few years, while the antique and design business has dwindled. Company officals said when the visitors' center and glass museum are open the license plates reflect a greater amount of out of state visitors then local visitors. The visitors' center receives up to 1,000 people a day.
On Jan. 31, 2009, Blenko ceased production of glass due to a judgment against them, which led to their gas supplier cutting off their fuel used to melt glass. The company even discussed bankruptcy with their legal advisors. But on March 9, 2009, Blenko resumed limited production at its facility.
Company chairman William Blenko Jr. said, "as you know we were forced to shut down for about six weeks. This allowed us to get a few things straightened out and we have been building back up again."
William Blenko commented about the company's future. "No one knows about the future. At one time there were hundreds of glass companies in this state. Now we are down to about two. We have managed to survive this far. We are 116 years old now and I guess the first 116 years are the hardest. Hopefully, we can continue this."
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