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Discover Hidden Treasures at Village Antiques and Art during West Arts Fest 2024

Last Updated 7/9/2024

Village Antiques and Art is ready for West Arts Fest 2024, showcasing a stunning collection of hand-blown glass pieces from Blenko to Rainbow Glass. Where better to celebrate the artistry of glass than in the Central City Antiques District? Dive in to discover amazing deals and hidden treasures within the walls of Village Antiques!

Rare Finds and Great Deals

Bex Hall, a booth holder and small business owner, has unearthed a rare Blenko Teardrop Decanter with a light purple stopper. Standing 21 inches tall and etched on the bottom, this beautiful piece is priced at just $225. Its light colors will brighten any window space!

Dealers across Village Antiques feature art glass from Blenko, Rainbow, Fenton, and Pilgrim, showcasing the legacy of West Virginia's once-booming glass industry. Bruce and Nancy Sullivan’s booth is filled with small collectible pieces from these local glass manufacturers. Blenko remains the only factory still producing in West Virginia today.

Collector's Highlights

@blenkoglass
Veteran glassblower Dave Osburn led our demonstration shop during our Festival of Glass 2024. Watch us bring out an old school 1960 Wayne Husted design and put brand new touches on it! #blenko #blenkoglass #Wvglass #artglass #glassblowing #handmade #heritage #glassaritst #collectableglass #glasscollecting #vases #artglass #glassart #glassblowing #glasstok #madeinamerica #madeinwv
♬ original sound - Blenko Glass Company

Identifying art glass can be challenging, but collectors know they've found a prize when the artist’s name is engraved on the piece. A standout item is a signed clear bubble-glass pitcher with a blue handle by veteran Blenko glassblower Dave Osburn. Check out the TikTok of Dave in action!

Another highlight is a green Blenko Bowl with the Block B Blenko Sticker, used from 1982 to 1999. Designed by John Nickerson, this sticker represents the hot glass ball on the end of a blowpipe.

Blenko’s Daisy Bowls

Blenko’s Daisy Bowls are popular for both decoration and use. In my home, I use them to hold hair accessories, pushpins, and even change for laundry. Do you use your glass pieces or just display them?

Rare Pieces from Historic Companies

Booth holders at Village Antiques also offer rare pieces from defunct companies like Rainbow Glass. A showstopping item is a Rainbow Glass vase with its stopper, rare due to its mint condition and intact sticker. Next to it are two small green 1950s Blenko vases, prized for their color and crackled features.

Betsy Gerber's Collection

Betsy Gerber is known for her extensive collection of Blenko and Pilgrim finds. A glass collector and former president of the West Virginia Glass Association, Gerber worked at Blenko Glass Company for many years as she said in a previous interview. Her booth features rare red Blenko vases and pitchers (photographed in gallery), along with Pilgrim Glass pieces like a small orange set (photographed above).

Custom-Made Sun Catchers

The final highlight is a custom-made sun catcher engraved with the Milton, WV Rotary Club stamp. Blenko’s sun catchers are sometimes sought after by collectors. Interested in adding this to your collection? Stop by Village Antiques today!

This concludes the highlights for Village Antiques and Art. These are just a few of the glass treasures waiting to be discovered in this massive shop. Check out the gallery below which highlights more unique pieces you can find! Be sure to visit on July 18th to immerse yourself in art, glass, and antiques at West Arts Fest!

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