Fenton allows visitors to help make ornaments

By Kate York, kyork@mariettatimes.com

Marietta Times

Marietta, Ohio

WILLIAMSTOWN - Fenton Glass artists are known far and wide as skilled workers but on Saturday even 3-year-olds were able to make Fenton keepsakes with the aid of a holiday helper.

A special decorating workshop for children with Mrs. Claus was held at the glass factory Saturday morning, allowing 20 area children to decorate Fenton glass ornaments they could then take home.
The workshops, for those of all ages, will continue every Saturday in 2005.

"This was the first time we had a workshop just with children," said Marcie "Mrs. Claus" Petty of Saturday's event. "They seemed to have a great time and I even have a few letters to take back to Santa."

The participants were able to choose the design they wanted to paint on their glass tree ornaments using stencils and then the ornament was baked for 20 minutes.

"It was fun," said Ashley Pollard, 9, of Marietta. " I liked the painting part. We're going to put it on our tree."

Pollard said there was one problem with her ornament, decorated with a penguin wearing a Santa hat, which she was able to correct.

"I put snow under the penguin because he looked like he was floating in midair at first," she said. "That would have been silly."

Ashley's 3-year-old sister, Logan, was one of the youngest to take part in the workshop, creating a glass ornament with a colorful butterfly.

"They loved it," said their mother, Maggie Pollard. "Ashley said she was going to keep the ornament to give to her kids someday."

Though Saturday's class was aimed at children, the workshops are great for senior citizen groups, birthday parties or for individuals, said Jena Blair, centennial group coordinator for Fenton, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary beginning in January.

"Even today, we had a great variety of people," Blair said. "There were very little ones to teen-agers and we had grandparents helping their grandchildren with the ornaments and dads helping their kids make an ornament for mom. Everyone was so thrilled with their pieces."

The cost of the workshop is $25 per person or $20 for a group of 20 people or more.

"It's nice that they can have their own Fenton piece," said Petty. "They even get to use the same paint the artists use."

Maggie Pollard said she plans to hang both of her daughters' ornaments on the tree to remember the fun morning they spent making them.

"It's really nice in the holiday season to keep them busy with doing crafts rather than just eating cookies," she said. "And these are beautiful and will last forever."


Decorate your own Fenton ornament

When: Every Saturday in 2005, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

Where: Fenton Gift Shop in Williamstown

Cost: $25 per person or $20 for groups of 20 or more

For information: Jena Blair at jena@fentongiftshop.com

ALS and Fenton Art Glass, Partners for Hope

The Fenton Art Glass Company is among the world's foremost producers of handmade art glass. From its modest roots as a glass decorating company in 1905, Fenton has progressed and become renowned for innovative colors and decorative treatments on pressed and blown glassware.

The Fenton Foundation of the Fenton Art Glass Company has supported ALSA's mission to find a cure for and improve living with ALS for more than 17 years. In 2004, the Fenton Foundation selected The ALS Association as its national partner. The ALS Association was chosen because of the Fenton family's direct experiences with ALS.

Through the sale of a special, limited edition glass basket called "Wish upon a star," the Fenton Art Glass Company has raised close to $10,000 for ALSA. The exclusive piece was designed specifically for The ALS Association by award-winning Fenton artist Robin Spindler. This unique basket will be produced through 2004 and is available through Fenton's website at www.fentonartglass.com.

Following up on the success of "Wish upon a star," Fenton Art Glass is now working on a special heart trinket box to be available for sale next spring with proceeds also going to The ALS Association.

"We are truly grateful for the support of the Fenton Art Glass Company," said Gary Leo, President and CEO of The ALS Association. "The generosity and steadfast support of the Fenton Art Glass Company helps enable ALSA to continue our aggressive quest in the search for effective treatment options and, ultimately, a cure for ALS."

www.fentonartglass.com

Fenton Art Glass To Benefit ALS

Giftware News

December 2004


Fenton Art Glass has announced the creation of a limited edition trinket box that will help fund research for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Funds raised will help find a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The Opal glass heart-shaped Treasure Box is available for sale through Fenton retail partners to all consumers and collectors. The exclusive piece was designed specifically for The ALS Association (ALSA) by award-winning Fenton artist Robin Spindler, and is handpainted with a sweeping floral motif and a butterly accent.

A portion of sales from the Treasure Box will be contributed directly to The ALS Association. The box will be produced throughout 2005, and each Treasure Box is inscribed with the signatures of ten Fenton family members and bears the ALSA logo.

Call 800/933-6766 for more information.