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| Welcome to the National Fenton Glass Society, Inc. |
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Formed in 1990, the National Fenton Glass Society is chartered by the State of Ohio as a not-for-profit corporation. The Society's purpose is to promote the study, understanding and enjoyment of handmade glass, the handmade glass industry and especially glass made by the Fenton Art Glass Company, of Williamstown, West Virginia. The NFGS strives to foster informed discussion among all who wish to learn more about this traditional art form.
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Dates for the 2013 NFGS convention are July 27, 28 and 29. Convention headquarters will be the Comfort Inn - Marietta.
http://www.fentonartglass.com/newsletter/2013/USGlass051413.asp
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Dear Friend of Fenton glass,
Time is running out, but you still have an opportunity to "kickstart" glassmaking at Fenton by contributing to the mould catalog project. In response to inquiries from folks like you, we've prepared this list of questions that have come to us regarding this project and the USGlass organization. Only a few days remain to get this project started!
FAQ’s about USGlass and their Kickstarter project for a Fenton mould catalog
- Who is USGlass? USGlass is a newly formed company. Their agreement with Fenton Art Glass is to purchase the glassmaking furnaces and other equipment, lease the Fenton Art Glass factory building in Williamstown, and restart glassmaking.
- What glass products will USGlass make? At first, USGlass plans to focus on both functional tableware and art glass for collectors, developing new shapes as well as using traditional Fenton moulds. The Kickstarter project will help USGlass decide which moulds to use. The Fenton Gift Shop purchased the moulds at the public auction in 2012, and USGlass has an agreement with the Gift Shop to lease moulds for glassmaking.
- Where will the glass be sold? USGlass intends to sell through some major retailers and is also evaluating selling traditional Fenton products through established Fenton dealers.
- Does funding the Kickstarter project guarantee that USGlass will restart Fenton? The restart depends on raising sufficient financing to refurbish the glassmaking furnaces and equipment, hire glassworkers, and fund marketing activities. Fundraising is progressing on a parallel track (see details under the bio on the Kickstarter website). Those who invest in USGlass will influence their future directions, but the above plan is their current strategy.
- Why does the mould catalog cost so much? We have estimated the time it will take per mould to compile and enter data into the electronic catalog. When multiplied times 10,000 moulds, that is a lot of time! In addition to data entry, a program to access the information will be needed. It will also take time and analysis to decide what moulds will be most successful in today’s market.
- What is the involvement of the Fenton family? George Fenton, President of Fenton Art Glass and Randy Fenton, President of the Fenton Gift Shop, are very supportive of the USGlass plans. They are doing everything they can to help USGlass get started, including the Kickstarter project.
- What piece will be raffled off at the Director’s Council meeting in July? Several items were chosen from the Fenton Museum. See the Kickstarter website to have input on the one chosen.
- How will the “electronic catalog” be useful to collectors? The Kickstarter project is to create an “electronic catalog” of all Fenton moulds. The results will be very interesting to Fenton collectors and researchers about American glass because of the number of moulds we have from other historic glass companies. This reference will be an additional resource to help collectors determine the identity and history of items in their collections.
We need your help to make this project a reality and to "kickstart" the resumption of glassmaking at Fenton. Don't delay, make a contribution today. To make a pledge, click here, then click on “Back this Project”.Or go to Kickstarter.com and search for Fenton Glass. The deadline for pledges is May 20, 2013, so don’t delay. Pledge now! Thank you for your support!
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Gene Bem
CEO, USGlass, Inc. |
George Fenton
President, Fenton Art Glass |
Randy Fenton
President and Treasurer, Fenton Gift Shop |
For questions or comments, please do not reply to this email. Instead, email: askfenton@fentonartglass.com.
This email has been sent to you because you have agreed to receive offers and information from the Fenton Art Glass Company. We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal information. For details, please review our privacy policy.
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The sender of this email is the Fenton Art Glass Co., 700 Elizabeth St., Williamstown, WV, 26187 |
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Copyright ©2013 Fenton Art Glass Company
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FENTON ART GLASS TO CEASE TRADITIONAL GLASS
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PRODUCTION AND SHIFT PRODUCT FOCUS
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Here is the complete press release that went out to media, Fenton clubs, etc. earlier today:
FENTON ART GLASS TO CEASE TRADITIONAL GLASS PRODUCTION
AND SHIFT PRODUCT FOCUS
(Williamstown, W. Va., July 6, 2011). The Fenton Art Glass Company announced today that it would wind down production of its collectible and giftware glass products. The company has faced financial challenges since its restructuring in 2007, and recent developments combined to force the shutdown of its traditional glassmaking business.
"The market for our pressed and blown glassware has diminished," company President George Fenton said. "We cannot sustain the overhead costs. Our employees have worked hard and efficiently, so this is a very sad day for us. Shortly, we will begin the process of shutting down our main furnace. Remaining employees will be finishing existing glassware from the company's inventory that will be available through the Fenton Gift Shop as well as the company's web site and Fenton dealers across the country."
As a part of winding down the traditional business, Fenton Art Glass is exploring the sales of one or more product lines.
"We know that our many customers and friends will have questions," Fenton said. "Our web site www.fentonartglass.com will be updated regularly beginning the week of July 11."
Inquiries regarding sales of equipment and other assets should be directed to Fenton Art Glass at assetinfo@fentonartglass.com
Management at the Fenton Gift Shop is evaluating the impact of the termination of traditional glassmaking at Fenton Art Glass. "The Fenton Gift Shop is in discussions with Fenton Art Glass, the glass manufacturing company, to provide customers with a wide range of samples and special decorations as well as final quantities of limited edition pieces," said Randall Fenton, President of the Fenton Gift Shop. "The annual Tent Sale in Williamstown starts July 8, and the Fenton Gift Shop and the outlet store in Flatwoods, West Virginia, remain open."
Founded as a decorating company in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in May 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton, the Fenton Art Glass Co. constructed its factory in Williamstown during the fall of 1906. The first glass pieces were made there on January 2, 1907. During its 106-year history, Fenton introduced the first iridescent ware (now known as "Carnival glass") as well as classic patterns such as Hobnail and a wide variety of handmade colored art glass as limited editions.
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NATIONAL FENTON GLASS SOCIETY, INC.
PO Box 4008 • Marietta, OH • 45750
Phone/FAX: (740) 374-3345
Email us at office@nfgs.org
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