The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2018

www.theconnectionsnj.com Serving Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Somerset and Mercer Counties Founded 1967 • Lic#: 13VH02098100 Services Renovations Leak Detection Services Pressure Testing Pool Cleaners Pool Chemicals Salt Generators SPA Covers 1 Van Syckle Place • High Bridge, NJ 08829 908.638.9339 T • 908.638.5097 F aandlpoolservice@gmail.com • www.AandLpoolservice.com SPECIALIZING IN 800.452.9105 We Service All Types of Inground Pools Pool Closings Safety Covers Winter Watch Service Maintenance Swimming Pool Inspections Filter Repair / Replacement Heater Repair / Replacement Pump Repair / Replacement Computerized Automation Pump / Acid Wash When Was the Last Time You Had Your SEPTIC TANK PUMPED? Family Owned & Operated Since 1978 908-204-1951 Cleaning out septic tanks, cesspools, drywells & holding tanks for residential, commercial & industrial properties • Jetting, Camera Inspections, Snaking & all repairs on septic systems B. Horstmann Septic Service LLC. $ 20 www.septictankcleaningnj.com OFF our service Please show coupon for discount. Limit one per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 11/16/18. All it takes is one stream of light shining through your window to create a rainbow effect after it illuminated that bottle or vase sitting on your sill. Perhaps, this is the magic that keeps collectors returning to that local tag sale or flea market in search of another sparkling keepsake. Crackle glass, one of the most common collectibles, will produce such an effect from that stray sunbeam, leaving you daz- zled without warning when displays of col- ored, refracted light fill your room. Created as far back as the 16th century, this dime- store dazzler had resurgence in the 1950s and reached its zenith in the 1960s to com- plement the modern décor of the Madmen era. Bold or clear, shaded or iridescent, crackle glass was available in all varieties and price ranges to complement interior spaces and wallets. From inexpensive eye catchers to pricey floor standing vases, crackle glass was easily available because it is a treatment rather than a type of glass. The ‘crackling’ finish is created when a hot glass object is submerged in cold water, a technique that can be applied to just about any type of sturdy glass. The abrupt tem- perature change creates a network of fine cracks in the glass leaving the light to deflect patterns of the irregular cracks on other surfaces. Initially, crackle glass was hand blown, but quick popularity led to less-expensive moulded glass knockoffs. And, since any glass manufacturer could utilize the crack- ling technique, almost every company cre- ated crackle glass, including Tiffin, Duncan and Imperial, but the most notable crackle glass firms were located in West Virginia. Especially noted for miniatures, Pilgrim, Rainbow, Kanwha and Bishoff, created those diminutive jugs, vases, and pitchers that typically adorn the interior of many households. But the master manufacturer of crackle glass was Blenko. Originally known for producing stained glass, Blenko expanded its glassware to include richly colored, oversized art glass vessels. After the market for stained glass bottomed out in the Depression of 1929, William H. Blenko, the son of the founder was forced to seek out other revenue sources and expanded glassware produc- tion to include affordable decorative house- wares, including bottles and vases. Their past experience with manufacturing stained glass contributed to the vast color palette that forged Blenko’s reputation. In the mid-1940s, Blenko produced crackle glass miniatures, and by the 1960s large scale versions in both crackle and non- crackle finishes were available. The two prominent artisans for Blenko, Winslow Anderson (1947-1952) was noted for mod- ern shapes and vivid colors, while Wayne Husted, the design director (1952-1963) was responsible for hundreds of designs produced during that period. Joel Philip Myers, Blenko’s design director (1963- 1970), a skilled glass blower, was known for elongated forms, spirals, two-color and air twist stoppers. Today, crackle glass collectors have an array of options to choose from includ- ing color, type and size of vessel. Others focus on a particular company or artist. Many of us, howev- er simply collect crackle glass for its bargain prices, and ability to brighten even a cloudy day. Martine with Blenko Hand-Blown Bulb Vases Amber Crackle Glass Pitcher Blenko Spiral Vases Blenko Crackle Glass Vase with Spiral What’s in Your Attic? RETRO FLASH BACK: THE ALLURE OF CRACKLE GLASS By: Martine M. White, BA, ASA, AAA home & design PAGE 88