Virtual Field Trip Wissmach Glass

Wissmach Glass Production from Tanya Hill on Vimeo. This short video shows the process of creating large sheets of colored glass. Answer the following: What colors are the hardest to produce?Why? How do they get two colors to swirl in the glass? Can the colored glass that is recycled be used only for plate glass? What is the most requested color? How do you pack such material to be shipped acroos the world without breaking? This video is a great way to highlight the Wissmach Glass Company. Use the pictures and video clips on the share drive to creat a video with Blenko Glass as the subject.

SiO2 An Exploration in Glass for High School Students

Would you be interested in learning to create beautiful pieces of hand blown glass?  With Blenko in our community we have a perfect place to create an apprenticeship program for our high school students.  Do you think Cabell County Schools should partner with Blenko to make this a reality? We know that if schools are going to equip students to be successful in the work force, they must look at all industries and plan accordingly.  You will be working in groups to create a presentation for the next board meeting to introduce the idea of a high school apprentice program at Blenko Glass Company.  Many things must be considered when implementing such a program.  Your goal is to convince the board that this would be beneficial to the students of Cabell County as well as the Blenko community.  You will need an informative document highlighting the goals and benefits.  Additionally, create a multi media presentation to communicate your desires for the program.

Pittsburgh Glass Center - Insider Perks Travel Video

Before returning home, we visited the Pittsburgh Glass Center where we were privileged to watch a demonstration and create a glass ornament with the artists at the center.  After viewing this informative video clip proceed to my next post for the rest of the story...........

Unexpected Beauty

Today we visited the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburg, PA. You may think that this stop had nothing to do with glass. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Check out the following pictures!

 In all the pictures you can see that the glass artists have created pieces that add beauty to the landscape.  This leads me to believe that there are other places where blown art glass could be incorporated to add beauty in our lives.  Think of an item that you believe could be fabricated by local glass artists.  Use artpad.art.com, paint, or your own hand drawing to create a sketch of the piece.

A Little Play with a Lot of Work

Pressed Glass

Today we visited Mosser Glass Company in Cambridge, Ohio.  This company produces beautiful  pressed glass items.  I was struck by the obvious differences between this glass and the glass blown at Blenko, here in Milton.  Though Blenko also uses molds for many of their designs, the look is very different.
Take a look at the Mosser Glass pieces, on the website, and Blenko pieces as well.  Do you prefer one to the other? Why? Does one seem more durable than the other? Why?
Be ready to discuss in class!

http://www.blenko.com/

http://www.mosserglass.com/

Homer Laughlin China Made In America/

After viewing this video and thinking about how fortunate West Virginia is to have this company in our state, create a brochure to be sent out to restaurant and hotel owners persuading them to invest in this American made dinnerware for their businesses.  You must use Microsoft Publisher to produce the final product.  Remember, brochures must use eye catching pictures, short titles and phrases that "pack a punch."  Advertising is the key to any good business.  MAKE IT SELL!