Anyone who knows me knows that Blendo glassware is by far my favorite vintage glass to collect.  Blendo glass was made by West Virginia Glass Company and was really popular in the 1950s and 60s and is still relatively easy to find now. Blendo glass is characterized by a bright neon/pastel solid base that fades as it goes up the glass and a gold rim. You’ll see repros and knock off brands that have the base color, but not the signature gold rim.  Blendo glass makes great entertaining ware as they come in cocktail and juice sets and pitchers.  Because they are easier to find, you can build an entertaining set quite quickly (and on the cheap).

Where to buy: flea market, vintage stores, estate sales, Etsy, One Kings Lane

Culver Glass Company was famous for their stunning decorative glassware in 22-karat gold – think lavish and opulent cocktailware of the 1950s and 60s.  In the late 1950’s, Culver started the application of the 22-karat gold to their glassware.  Fun fact: the super-heated, roll-on process of gold remains a secret today.  Culver comes in a variety of patterns including gilded mushrooms, owls, cats, wildlife, Egyptian or Asian inspired design themes, scrolling leaf patterns, holiday designs, sports motifs and many others.   The Valencia pattern which features gilded Moroccan-style trellis and raised emerald-green diamonds is the most popular pattern in cocktailware.  Some other collectible patterns include: Prado, Antiqua, Seville, Pisa, and Paisley. Look for the “Culver” signature on the glass.

Where to buy: flea market, vintage stores, Etsy, One Kings Lane

Dorothy Thorpe was a MCM American artist who designed beautiful glassware and ceramic pieces out of her Los Angeles studio. She purchased simple blank glassware and decorated them with her personal designs. She was also known for her silver overlay and paint speckled glass pieces, which included all types of glassware and punchbowl sets. While some of Thorpe’s glassware pieces are signed with a large “T” and a smaller “D”, many of her pieces found today do not carry her signature or her original logo sticker on them. Since Thorpe designed on “blanks”, the only known silver pieces that can be attributed to Thorpe are her timeless and modern, wide-band sterling overlay glass pieces. If you’re a minimalist, then Dorothy Thorpe is your go-to for fine cocktailware.

Where to buy: vintage stores, Etsy, One Kings Lane

Libbey has made millions of glass tumblers – from water glasses, tea glasses to goblets and other drinkware – over the years.  It was and can still be found in most American homes!  Since there are many patterns to find, the most popular – and at least my favorite – include the flamingo, daisy, and travel patterns.  Vintage Libbey glassware is signed with a cursive “L” within an ordinary circle or ring.  The mark actually appears backwards if viewed from outside of the glass, but it appears correctly when looking down through the inside.  New Libbey glassware is signed with a cursive “L” without the circle.

Where to buy: thrift stores, flea market

Georges Briard was the go-to for decorative housewares in the 1950s and 60s and was carried at upscale retails like Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.  Briard’s success and notoriety came with the use of 22-karat gold as screened decoration for bent glassware. His design hallmarks are repetitive patterns, most often featuring geometric shapes or nature based images. The most popular patterns include: Ambrosia, Fancy Free, Forbidden Fruit, and Persian Garden.

All Briard glassware is signed with his name and appears in cursive on each piece of glassware.

Where to buy: vintage stores, Etsy, One Kings Lane

Arcoroc pink swirl cups known as Rosaline are a dream and pop up on Instagram and Pinterest most often.  Arcoroc glassware was produced in France in the 1980s, although it is commonly known as depression glass.  This glassware features a swirl patterns on a variety of glass including saucers, coupes, flutes, goblets and other glassware.  The Rosaline collection is the perfect gift for a bridal shower or as a hostess gift.

Where to buy: flea market, Etsy