First order of business is a hospitality reception - plenty of free food and drink - a chance to welcome first-time attendees and allow returnees to become re-acquainted.

 

A large room is set up with tables for members to offer stretch glass for sale. Other tables are set aside for members to display their collections.  There is also a large convention display that follows a different theme each year.  The display may focus on a particular company, color or type of piece.  All of the displays are beautiful, informative and may contain rare pieces that are seldom seen.

 

Additional events scheduled during the 3-day convention are for both learning and fun.    They include educational seminars, identification clinics, a whimsey* auction, and a banquet complete with an entertaining and informational speaker.

 

The Society also takes the opportunity to "take care of business" with an annual Board of Directors meeting and annual business meeting.

 

And there's always free time set aside to do your own thing -- shopping, antiquing or sightseeing!

 

*(What is a Whimsey?) The Fenton Art Glass Company runs a limited production of new stretch glass pieces each year at the direction of the Society.  These souvenir pieces are sold ONLY to the Society and may be pre-ordered by members or purchased at Convention.  During the manufacture of these pieces,   Fenton is instructed to allow the workers to create a few special shapes in unique and sometimes one-of-a-kind designs.  These glass worker creations are called "whimseys" and are also offered for auction during convention.  Mail bids by members unable to attend are accepted.

 

 

2008 Convention and Show

 

The 34th annual Stretch Glass Society convention, show and sale is scheduled for July 30, 31, and August 1.  It will once again be held at the Comfort Inn, 700 Pike Street, Marietta, Oh (1-800-537-6858). This year’s club display theme is “A Rainbow of Color” with the club fashioning a color wheel displaying one example of each of the major colors in which vintage iridescent stretch glass was made ranging from white to black.  Many convention activities are open to the public, however participation in certain events is limited to members only.   The Convention show and sale will be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on Thursday, July 3lst from 12 Noon to 5 PM and Friday, August 1st from 10 AM to 4 PM.  If you are interested in learning more about Iridescent Stretch Glass, you might want to stop by at 3 PM on Thursday when our own Dave Shetlar, co-author of the book “American Iridescent Stretch Glass”, will conduct a Stretch Glass Identification Workshop.  The public is also invited to attend a talk given by Tom Smith, a noted author and antique dealer, who will discuss and display Fenton Glass Rarities.  Tom will speak after our banquet on Thursday at approximately 8 PM.  On Friday afternoon at 2 PM Dave Fetty, Fenton’s master craftsman, will give a two hour demonstration of how he creates a piece of glass from start to finish.  His program is called “A Progressive Glass Demonstration.”  Dave will bring examples of each piece of glass at various stages of completion and will also display and discuss various tools he uses in creating his beautiful glassware.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 Convention and Show

 

Mark your calendars now for the 2007 Convention and Show which will be held from August 1 to 3 at the Comfort Inn, Marietta, OH! Contact the hotel at 800-537-6858 (toll free), before July 20 and mention the Stretch Glass Society when making your reservation (in order to get our club rate). Our current schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Aug 1 - 1:00pm to 7:00pm, check-in, display set up, draw stampede numbers; 8:00pm Live and Silent Auction Preview; 8:00pm to 10:00 pm, Wine & Cheese Welcome Party; Thursday, Aug 2 - 9:00am to 11:00am, late arrival check-in and set up; 11:30am, Sales Stampede!; 1:00pm, Stretch Glass Identification Workshop with Dave Shetlar and 2:00pm, Club Display Review; 7:00pm, Buffet Banquet; 8:00pm, banquet speaker, Kelsey Murphy, glass cameo carving artist (Made in Heaven Studios, West Virginia); 9:00pm, Contemporary Stretch Glass Whimsey Auction; Friday, Aug 3 - 10:00am to 4:00pm, open to the general public; 12:00, SGS Members Annual Business Meeting and free box lunch; 2:00pm to 3:00pm, seminar by Shelly Fenton Ash, "Fenton Art Glass Company Continues Their 100th Anniversary Celebration - A Look at Fenton Glass Catalogs and QVC"; 4:00pm, Members' Contemporary Stretch Glass Raffle Drawing and Silent Auction Winners.

 

 

 

 

Mark your calendars now for the 2006 Convention and Show which will be held from July 27 to July 29 at the Comfort Inn, Marietta, OH! Contact the hotel at 800-537-6858, before June 30 and mention the Stretch Glass Society when making your reservation. Our current schedule is as follows: Thursday, July 27 - 1:00pm to 7:00pm, check-in, display set up, pick stampede numbers; 7:30pm Sales Stampede; 8:30pm Reception; Friday, July 28 - 9:00am to 12:00noon, late arrival set ups & flea markets, 12:00noon to 5:30pm Room Open to Public, 3:00pm to 4:30pm D. Shetlar Glass ID, 7:30pm Annual Banquet & Raffle, 8:30 Guest Speaker (TBA); Saturday, July 29 - 8:00am to 9:30am Annual Business Meeting, Breakfast & Elections, 9:30am to 10:00am Whimsey Auction, 10:30 to 11:30 D. Shetlar Lecture "Fenton Art Glass: The Evolution of Carnival to Stretch Glass" at LaFayette Hotel, 12:00 to 5:00pm Display Room open to general public, 3:00pm to 4:00pm Scott Fenton seminar at Comfort Inn.

 

 

 

The 2005 Convention and Show was held in Parkersburg, WV from July 27 to July 29.  Fenton Art Glass Company was celebrating their 100th anniversary from July 29 to Aug 2. Our club display theme was "Minor Stretch Glass Companies - Central, Jeannette, Lancaster and Vineland." Dean Six, author with the WV Museum of American Glass, was the featured banquet speaker and Sharon and Bill Mizell spoke on carnival glass patterns. Pictures of the convention and club display will soon be posted. Go here to see some pictures of the convention and club display.

 

2004 Convention and Show

The 2004 Convention and show was held in Parkersburg, WV in late July, just before the Fenton glass clubs. Our club display theme was "Intense Colors by Fenton." This included Fenton's Royal Blue (cobalt blue), Ruby (red and amberina), Tangerine (orange ) and Wistaria (sic) (purple). Go here to see some pictures of the convention and club display.

 

2003 Convention and Show

The 2003 Convention was held in Parkersburg WV in May. A great time was had by all!   The club display showed some of the beautiful pastel colors of stretch glass.   Below are a few pictures of that display.