Already popular at the University of Kentucky, Ohio State University and the University of Michigan, glass beads are now invading Ohio University.
This fall, the Fenton Art Glass Company has designed a new line of OU-themed glass beads that are available online at www.fentonartglass.com.
Fenton was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank and John Fenton as a company that painted decorations on glassware made by other manufacturers. A determination to use more colors motivated the brothers to begin making their own glass.
More than 100 years later, Fenton has become the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States and is known for its unique colors and hand-painted designs. Third- and fourth-generation Fenton family members now lead the company that employs more than 100 glassmakers and decorators.
“We have 107 years of glass-making history behind our products,” said President and CEO George Fenton, a third-generation family member. “We hand paint the beads, which gives us design flexibility so that we can do a whole variety of designs and colors.”
Each bead has a sterling silver center and is 9/16 of an inch in diameter and can fit on most of the major bracelet designs, such as Pandora Bracelets, Fenton said.
“Right now, we’re just doing colors and generic beads, but we are looking for licensing of specific logos,” he said. “It just takes longer.”
Three or four different Bobcat designs are available for sale, all displaying Bobcat pride with the traditional green and white school colors. One includes gold stone, a type of glass that adds sparkle to the bead, while another displays “Go Cats” and a paw print.
Bobbie Karr, owner of Hartwell House, a local business in Pomeroy, Ohio, also sells the Fenton OU-themed beads.
“We’ve been dealing with Fenton for about two years now,” Karr said. “And I enjoy working with them, mainly because it is a local product; (the beads) are made in the United States.”
Hartwell House and the Fenton Art Glass Company both offer free shipping to online bead purchasers. Though the price is fixed between $35 and $39.50 for a single bead, both Fenton and Karr said to keep in mind that each bead is handcrafted and includes an enormous amount of attention, detail and focus.
Beads are available from Hartwell House on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HartwellHousePomeroy by commenting on the wall or by sending a message.
mg986611@ohiou.edu
