blenko glass company studios & gallery

Blenko glass company has been making art glass for about 100 years. They have a gift shop, warehouse and factory. They have a warehouse sale from mid March to the end of March, about two weeks. Warehouse is not open on Sundays. The gift shop is open everyday. If you check the webpage or call them to see when the factory is making glass you will be able to stand and watch them when you visit. You can try and guess to see what piece they are making. It is a wonderful experience to watch them blow, shape, mold and form hot glass into a finished product piece of glass. The finished glass pieces range in size from small to quite large. They do different colors as well. Everyone should be able to find at least one piece of glass they like in order to purchase. They do offer some hand painted items from time to time. It is not that far off of the main interstate. If you follow the directions or have gps you should have no problem locating them. The warehouse is on the right side of the road before you turn right, to go down to the gift shop by the river.

The Blenko Museum contains many glass works of art which this company has made over the years. One of their claims to fame is the glass awards given each year at the CMA show to the winners. There is a viewing gallery to watch the men as they make all of these glass pieces. The day we were there they were making vases. It is a slow multi step process and interesting to watch. This has been a family owned business since the beginning in the 1920s and while we were there the current president, Mr. Walter Blenko, Jr., was rearranging the museum with his wife and we had an opportunity to chat with them for awhile. There is a store to purchase various pieces. Check online as there are coupons for $5 off with a purchase of $25 or more.

This is a WV legend. Go to the shop and see the museum. You can watch them blow glass! I buy awards for my business here--- it's a "must see" in WV.

We have visited twice now and each time found a nice addition to purchase for our home.First visit my wife and I looked forward to as a detour in an already busy trip we found the place went inside and the two people behind counter didn't even look up,no hello,welcome,thank you for stopping, 1st visit?can I help you?NOTHING.Second trip several months later again found the showroom empty as we entered no acknowledgement of any kind,thought at this point maybe it was us but no,another couple entered and if the man had not ask about locating the rest room after a few minutes inside the ladies would have happily continued the conversation we had clearly interrupted.When we were ready to pay for our purchases on both occasions they wrapped them up neatly and cashed us out quickly but ...the basic niceties of customer service or simple polite interaction with other human beings seem to be dead or dying...sad really it makes ALL the difference in a consumers experience if that matters to anyone.Next visit now that we know our way around we will ask how the staff is doing today and thank them for creating such beautiful pieces...somebody has to start.

We liked watching the glass blowers work and shape a piece of art. Was given a piece of Blenko years ago as a gift it was fun to see where it was made. It was hard to only select on piece so got 2! Friendly staff, and knew lots of the history. So glad it is still around for us to see years later.

Beautiful glass work! Enjoyed watching the glass blowing. The artist were making Christmas items. This is a "must see" operation!

We watched glass being produced and blown as well visited their gift shop and gallery. It was Pumpkin making time for them

Spent a nice morning watching actual glass blowing and shaping. The theme for the day was pumpkins , and one man was making small spheres , another was blowing lovely vases. Watched for a while , until I had seen all the steps , then went to the museum where many lovely pieces of stained glass and glass sculptures are on display.Last stop was the store......beautiful and reasonable prices.

We visited Blenko due to an interest in the beautiful colors of glass they produce. We were able to watch the craftsmen blowing and shaping the glass into art objects. We went to the work area, came back through the little museum on the second floor, toured that shop and then went back to watch a different item being made. The first time, we saw a snowman being readied for blowing in another area of the shop. The second time we watched a glassblower working on a pumpkin. You can stay as long as you like observing. If you are going to buy some Blenko, pick of one of the brochures in the sales room as it has a $5 coupon in it - which the sales person did NOT bother to point out to me as I spent nearly $100. The coupons are only good in person, not with internet orders. Our visit was on a misty, rainy day. There is an outdoor area with ducks and geese, but we could not really enjoy that the day we went. Be sure to follow the signs to the visitors center as it is down in a valley where you would not see it unless you were really looking for it. I don't think you can access the workshop area in a wheelchiar. I only saw stairs. I don't think it would be a good venue for small children due to the large amount of expensive breakables.

I've visited Blenko several times, but this trip was really disappointing. The outside and entry gronds weren't kept up and looked tired and old. The sales room wasn't stocked with anything new and looked short of stock also. The staff was friendly and helpful, but not enthusiastic. It didn't help that the production area was also shut down, so be sure to call ahead and see if they are operating

wonderful opportunity to see up close, the art of glass blowing then a gift shop full of beautiful glass work to purchase.

Just back from a trip to Blenko to buy a special birthday gift and we were very impressed! Bought this fall's featured pitcher/vase and it is beautiful. A part of WV's art history!

My wife has been to Blenko a number of times over the years but it had been a number of years since she had been so this was a great treat. I had never been and found it interesting. We went on a weekend and there are no tours on the weekend.

My grandfather would always bring us to Blenko Glass when we visited in the summer when we were kids and it is exactly as I remembered it. I did take my son this time so he could watch some of the workers in action in the factory just like I did when I was a kid. They were not making too much but it is still fun to watch. It is a small shop but worth a stop if you are in the area.

Blenko has a wonderful shop with a large selection of their glassware at a discounted rate. The glassware made here ranges from everyday functional to beautiful art pieces that you will want to put on display throughout your home. Blenko offers viewings of the glass being made. You can watch the entire process from red-hot liquid glass, through the shaping and blowing, all the way to the finished product. There is a small museum with beautiful items displayed. The outdoor fence and walkway even incorporates glass elements! The tour and museum are free of charge to visit - but bring you money to pick up some wonderful glass pieces! You would regret going home without at least one item!