Dinnercraft helps bring your (and our) protracted adolescence to an end. Our authors cover topics ranging from cooking and eating, to home and garden, to crafting and DiY, and all the rest of the things you find yourself caring about these days.
My Blenko Addiction is Becoming a Problem
They say the first step is admitting you are powerless.
So I admit it. I am powerless over mid-century, colored glass.
I am addicted to Blenkos.
It started a few months ago when I looked around my house and promptly decided I hated everything I saw.
There was no overall theme. No unity. A decorator would have laughed in my face.
I needed a quick fix that didn’t require remodeling, refurnishing or re-anything.
So I went on eBay and started browsing for something arty and cool that could add some sort of uniform theme to my house. Mexican folk art. Pottery. Stuff like that.
And then I found them. I found the Blenkos.
Blenkos, for basically everyone reading this besides my mom, are art glass pieces created by the U.S.-based Blenko Glass Co. They have some amazing mid-century vases and bowls, they’re modern yet retro, they come in gorgeous colors and sexy shapes — some with crackles, some with bubbles and some plain.
The best part is, you can score a great Blenko for under $30. Some even for under $10. Christ, how could I not bid on something listed for $1.99???
I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but at some point, things got out of control.
Suddenly, it was Christmas every day. The UPS guy and the FedEx guy were regular fixtures at my house. Vases, decanters, bowls and ashtrays seemed to be multiplying. And when a new Blenko arrived, I’d spend hours moving them around into new “groupings.”
Pretty soon, Joel and the boys started referring to my Blenko addiction as if it were a problem – a problem they found incredibly hilarious. Whenever a new package arrived, the boys would erupt into uncontrollable laughter. When friends came over, they would gleefully point to my growing collection and remark, “Mommy is going crazy.”
But I couldn’t stop. I had to have the perfect pinch vase, that piece of crackle glass, the pitcher with the bubbles. Until I had so many Blenkos, I started selling the ones I didn’t want on eBay.
That was pretty much the end. I knew I had to stop. And while it wasn’t easy, I’m proud to say I haven’t bought a Blenko for over three months.
And I won’t.
At least until I find that salt and pepper set I’ve been looking for.
Damn you Badmommy,
i want. i want. i want.