Blendo glassware pitcher and glasses and Cucumber Mint Green Tea popsicles by Cake Over Steak.
If summer had an official color palette it would be the colors of Blendo glassware and Popsicles–two summer classics that have a lot of overlapping traits. The color range for Blendo shares a lot of shades with Popsicles: blues, greens, oranges, purples, yellows and peaches, some dialed up to mod bright and some toned back to pastel. You can choose a box of Popsicles in a single flavor or in riotous mix of flavors. You can find or make sets of Blendo in single colors or in a mix and match sets in the colors of the rainbow (if rainbows were the color of Popsicles). Blendo’s painted finish is slightly frosted like the outside of a Popsicle that’s been out of the freezer for a few minutes. And of course, one is a summer refreshment and one serves up refreshments.
Made in the 1950s and 1960s by the West Virginia Glass Company, Blendo was a staple for year round entertaining. But it was and is at it’s best at a backyard barbecue. The pieces are functional, practical and sturdy and have a band of gold on the rim to give it a tiny splash of luxe. Pitcher and glass sets in a variety of shapes and sizes are the most common pieces. Next in popularity are the chip and dip bowls, followed by salad bowls and small condiment servers.
Having the ombre finish sprayed onto clear glass means that like all painted on finishes, it should never be submitted to the indignity of the dishwasher. There is no shortage of faded Blendo out there at flea markets and thrift stores–leave it behind. If you persevere, you will find sets and/or pieces in much better condition. Blendo was glassware of the people, it was a trend and there is plenty of it still lurking in closets and in those tiny kitchen cabinets over refrigerators waiting to be discovered again.
If you love the look of Blendo and would like to make some ombre painted magic of your own, Kara from A Kailo Chic Life has a pretty cool tutorial for making Blendo-esque cereal bowls.
3 comments
I love the look of these Blendo glasses. They just scream FUN!
After reading this, I’m now going to be on the look-out for a cool set to add to my serving glasses for fun Summer entertaining. Thanks for the article and for the information!
I’m curious, Laurie. Are the Blendo pieces marked or are they just recognizable by the very distinctive paint style?
Whatever the answer, I feel the need for a new collection!
Thanks for asking. Blendo was definitely copied and they are not marked, so generally they can be identified by the shape and colors. Or if you’re really a lucky duck because they’re in the original box.