Ron Hinkle

© 2008 Kitty Vickers

Ron Hinkle is an accomplished master glass artist who embodies great passion and appreciation for glass and the history of glass making.

Born and reared in Buckhannon, West Virginia; Ron Hinkle developed a love of glass at the tender age of 12. Taking the glass tubing from his chemistry set, Ron learned to bend and stretch the glass over the burners of his gas stove. He became fascinated by the movement, the flow, and the possibilities of glass.

During the summer before his senior year at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, Ron learned the glass factories in nearby Weston were looking for summer help. He began work at Louie Glass, and after just one summer, he was completely awestruck by the magic of glass and had an insatiable hunger to learn more about his craft. He returned to Louie Glass after graduation in 1974 and would spend the next 20 years learning from the masters while developing his own style and technique.

Within the first few years at Louie Glass, Ron worked independently during his breaks, at lunch, after work, and on weekends to learn the art of glass blowing. He was soon assigned to a glass blowing position, where he remained for 14 years.

During this time, Ron observed his co-workers crafting paperweights with colorful glass flowers and intricate designs encased within the glass. He was consumed with achieving this skill and growing his repertoire. Within a year, Ron's paperweights were in such demand among the employees that they would purchase them while Ron was still forming the glass. His co-workers would claim a paperweight before it was even cooled. Soon he was crafting paperweights during every spare moment and even secured an apprentice to assist him. He quickly realized that in order to meet the growing demand of the employees, other individuals, and an expanding list of gift shops was going to require even more time.

Ron began investigating the possibility of starting his own glass studio. He sought the advice of Jennings Bonnell, formerly of Big Pine Key Glass Works Studio in the Florida Keys, who assured him that his talents were adequate and the market for fine handmade art glass was as open and endless as the number of items the mind could create. Ron and Jennings visited accomplished glass artists including Roberto Moretti, Harvey Littleton, John Littleton, Gary Beacham, and Walter Evans. Ron also sought input from Vander, Mark & Merritt of Three Bridges, New Jersey; Robert Hammond of Scott Depot, West Virginia; Charlie Gibson of Milton, West Virginia; Charles Lotton, Fred Wilkerson, Sr., Fred Wilkerson Jr., Leon Applebaum of New York; and Jim Davis of Pennsboro, West Virginia among many others. He learned about the processes involved in their individual creations, studio construction, and product marketing.

With a dream in his left hand and faith in his right, Ron set out to build his own glass studio. With literally no money to invest, it took him four years to personally build the tank, furnace, and studio. Ron and his father, Paul Eugene Hinkle, harvested logs from their property and traded part of the logs to have the lumber sawed for construction. Ron purchased second-hand tools and machinery and even collected tools that had been discarded, thrown away to repair and return them to service in his own studio.

In mid-1993, Ron left Louie Glass to officially opened Hinkle's Dying Art Glassworks on January 1, 1994. He began by marketing his work exclusively through wholesale, particularly to Princess House Consultants, with which he became acquainted through Louie Glass. It didn’t take long before orders started pouring in from many states and because of the quality of his work; word of mouth became his best marketing tool.

Since it began, business at Hinkle's Dying Art Glassworks has grown by at least 30% every year. Ron's art glass is now available in more than 30 states and in select international locations. In December 2005, his business became known as Ron Hinkle Glass.

Ron's work has been featured numerous times on both the West Virginia Governor's Tree and the Christmas Pageant of Peace trees at the White House in Washington, D.C. For the 2000 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA, Ron crafted hundreds of glass peaches for distribution to dignitaries and guests. He has regularly demonstrated his craft at the Mountain State Arts & Craft Fair at Ripley, WV and has been featured in USA Today, Lifestyle Crafts Buyers Guide and All About Glass magazine.

The product line at Ron Hinkle Glass includes original designer vases, rondels, bowls, stemware, table lamps, and a series of novelty figurines including animals, fruit and flowers. He is currently developing a line of handcrafted custom lamp shades for both chandelier and sconce applications.

Ron is currently partnering with Fenton Glass USA in developing and creating for Fenton a limited edition Christmas ornament using Burmese Glass supplied by the Fenton Factory in Williamstown, West Virginia.

In the May 9th 2003 Edition of the New York Times Journeys Section the article entitled Thirty-six Hours in Morgantown, West Virginia stated, “The highlight of the shops is the Gallery at Seneca Center, a co-operative that features the work of artists like Ron Hinkle, a Buckhannon, West Virginia glassblower who loves color in dapples and swirls.”

Ron is fulfilling a lifelong dream to create and sell his own works of glass art. Thanks to Ron and other artists like him across the country, glassblowing is no longer a dying art, but alive and well in the 21st century.

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Feel free to contact us:

Ron Hinkle Glass
Rt 9 Box 467
Buckhannon, WV 26201

Phone: (304) 472-7963
Fax: (304) 472-6777

Email: ronhinkle1000@aol.com

 Take I-79 to R33 East to the Buckhannon exit
 R 20 south 5 miles to Sago Road and follow the signs.

Retailers:

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A Wish Called Wanda
110 N Talbot St.
St. Michaels, MD 21663
(410) 745-6763

Abler Art Glass Gallery
16205 Little Elkhart Rd.
Kiel, WI 53042
(920) 894-7391
www.ablerartglass.com

Addison Visitor Center
Main St.
Webster Springs, WV 26288
(304) 847-5404
www.websterartists.com/addison

Agape Healing Center
907 Roosevelt Ave.
York, PA 17404
(717) 846-3900
www.agapehealingcenter.com

Alderson Gallery
109 Cherry Ave.
Alderson, WV 24910
(304) 445-2088

American Pie
45050 Main St.
Mendocino, CA 95460
(707) 937-3235

Anderson’s Corner
8 W Main St.
Romney, WV 26757
(304) 822-4285
www.andersonscorner.com

Annette’s Kit’n Caboodle
2302 Golfcrest Dr.
Pearland, TX 77581
(281) 300-0861

Appalachian Gallery
44 High St.
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 296-0163
www.wvcraft.com

Artcraft Collection
8600 Foundry St.
Savage, MD 20763
(410) 880-4863
www.artcraftonline.com

Artcraft Collection
132 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.artcraftonline.com

Arthurdale Heritage
Meadowview Addition
Arthurdale, WV 26520
(304) 864-3545
www.arthurdaleheritage.org

Artisan’s Workshop LLC
195 Main St.
New London, NH 03257
(603) 526-4227
www.artisansnewlondon.com

Ashland Company Store
Rt 7
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 862-4800
www.ashlandcompanystore.com

Atrium Gift Gallery
225 Nebraska St.
Sioux City, IA 51101
(712) 279-6272

Autumn Leaf Gifts
650 S Prairie View Dr.
Ste 115
West Des Moines , IA 50266
(641) 414-5987
www.autumnleafgifts.net

Avita Company
138 Cedar St.
Corning, NY 14830
(800) 852-8482

Azuca
11 ½ N Santa Cruz Ave
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 395-1680

Barclay Gallery & Garden Café
158 S Barclay St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 347-0500
www.barclaygalleryonline.com

Bella Luz
300 N Mead
Ste 105
Wichita, KS 67202

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
165 N Park Ave.
Neenah, WI 54956
(920) 751-4659
www.bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com

Bibo Gallerie
4921 N Sheridan Rd.
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 691-0126

Black Water Falls State Park
County Rt 29
Davis, WV 26260
(304) 259-5216
www.blackwaterfalls.com

Blenko Glass
9 Fairgrounds Rd.
Milton, WV 25541
(304) 743-9081
www.blenkoglass.com

Blennerhassett Museum Gift Shop
137 Juliana St.
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 422-0611
www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com

Boerth’s Gallery
212 Broadway
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 235-8923
www.boerthsgallery.com

Boulder Arts & Crafts
1421 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 443-3683
www.artsresource.org

Bronte Harbor Trade Co.
6103 Culp St.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Canada L2G 2B6
(905) 356-4886
www.historiccanadianart.com

Calico Cat
110 ½ W Main St.
Kingwood, WV 26537
(304) 329-1496

Cass Scenic Railroad
Rt 66 Main St.
Cass, WV 24927
(304) 456-4300
www.cassrailroad.com

CCS Group
1840 Airport Exchange Blvd.
Ste 130
Covington, KY 41018
(859) 525-8444

Central NY Glass
12840 State Rt 12
Boonville, NY 13309
(315) 942-6882
www.cnyglass.com

Clarksville Pottery & Galleries
4001 N Lamar Blvd.
Ste 200
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 454-9079
www.clarksvillepottery.com

Clay Center
1 Clay Sq.
Charleston, WV 25331
(304) 561-3545
www.theclaycenter.org

Collector’s Cottage
610 Pine St.
Montrose, IA 52639
(319) 463-5553

Copperwood Artware
148A N Glassell St.
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 633-8374
www.copperwoodartware.com

Country Cottage
334 N. Donnelly St.
Mt. Dora, FL 32757
(352) 735-4434
www.countrycottagecrafts.com

Art Emporium
823 Quarrier St.
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 345-2787
www.artemporium.net

Bookstore
15 E Main St.
Buckhannon, WV 26201
(304) 472-1840

Huntington Museum of Art
2033 McCoy Rd.
Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 529-2701
www.hmoa.org

Mountain Treasures
1 N Main St.
Philippi, WV 26411
(304) 457-2030

Penn Alps
125 Casselman Rd.
Grantsville, MD 21536
(301) 895-5985
www.pennalps.com

South Side Depot
126 N Main St.
Petersburg, WV 26847
(304) 257-9264
www.southsidedepot.com

Weston Steakhouse
100 Market Place
Ste 9
Weston, WV 26452
(304) 269-7666

Delaware Valley Arts & Alliance
37 Main St.
Narrowsburg, NY 12764
(845) 252-7576
www.artsalliancesite.org

Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery
121 E German St.
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-0657

Different Drummer
7 W Main St.
Wickford, RI 02852
(401) 294-4867
www.differentdrummerri.com

Dixie’s Fashion Accessories
3701 S Copper St.
Ste 159
Arlington, TX 76015
(817) 649-1139
http://stores.dixiesonline.com

Dixon Gallery & Garden
4339 Park Ave.
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 761-5250
www.dixon.org

DNK Collectibles
220 Maple St.
Boomer, WV 25031
(304) 779-2529

Dorothy Fisher Goldsmith & Gallery
2 Rock Ct.
LaPorte, PA 18626
(570) 525-3076
www.dorothyfisher.com

Dottie’s Dream
1400 Sandy Lake Rd.
Grove City, PA 16127
(814) 786-7885

Elements
2901 E Covenanter Dr.
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 331-9089
www.elements4home.com

Expressions Gift Shop
303 Davis Ave.
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 636-5087

Fenton Glass
700 Elizabeth St.
Williamstown, WV 26187
(304) 375-6126
www.fentonartglass.com

Fern’s Garden
5308 E 2nd St #B
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 434-6425
www.fernsgarden.com

Fiddlehead at Four Corners
338 Main St.
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-1000

Fourth Street Gallery
508 E Fourth St.
Lampasas, TX 76550
(512) 556-6997
www.fourthstreetgallery.com

Fox Gallery
10 N Main St.
Germantown, OH 45327
(937) 974-3943

Galleria Tempest
1801 L St.
Ste 40
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 492-2702

Gallery Eleven
1033 Quarrier St.
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 342-0083
www.galleryeleven.com

Glass Impressions
329 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(785) 539-4610

Green Bank Science Center
Rt 28-92
Green Bank, WV 24944
(304) 456-2164
www.nrao.edu

Hawk’s Lodge Gift Shop
177 W Main St.
Ansted, WV 25812
(304) 658-5196
www.hawksnestsp.com/recreation.htm

Hole in the Wall Studios
1544 Roosevelt Trail
Raymond, ME 04071
(207) 655-4952

Hostetler’s Country Store
Morgantown St.
Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
(304) 379-4910

Indianapolis Art Center
820 E 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 255-2464
www.indplsartcenter.org

Indigenous
2010 Madison Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45208
(513) 321-3750
www.indigenouscraft.com

Indulge Gallery
671 Hwy 179 A-CT 6
Sedona, AZ 86336
(928) 282-3130
www.indulgegallery.com

Isabella’s
3331 Severn Ave.
Ste 105
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 779-3202
www.isabellasgallery.com

Island Artworks
89 British Cemetary Rd.
Ocracoke, NC 27960
(252) 928-3892
www.islandartworks.com

J. Dodson Studio 100
The Galleries at Sunset Center
3701 Plains
Amarillo, TX 79102
(806) 359-8757

Judaica Specialties
6724 Creekside Ln.
Plano, TX 75023
(972) 208-5956
www.judaicaspecialties.com

Kathryn’s Beads & Baubles
116 E Rich Ave.
DeLand, FL 32724
(386) 740-8880

Kismet Gallery
123 Louisiana Ave.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
(419) 872-3321
www.kismethomeandart.com

Krista Artista
2005 2nd Ave.
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 421-7588
www.kristaartistagallery.com

Legacy Art & Gifts
1209 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 221-9094
www.legacyartandgifts.com

LL&P Oerth
420 S Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-3784
www.oerthgallery.com

Mackeral Sky
217 Ann St Plaza
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 351-2211
www.mackerelsky.com

Magnum Opus
129 N Nettleton
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
(913) 441-0876

Marble King Inc.
329 S First St.
Paden City, WV 26159
(304) 337-2264
www.marbleking.com

Marelli’s Glass
11042 Elm St.
Omaha, NE 68144
(402) 390-9631

Micawber’s Antiques, Etc.
816 E Laurel Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Morning Star Folk Art
US Rt 219 N
Hillsboro, WV 24946
(304) 653-4397

MountainMade
100 Douglas Rd.
Thomas, WV 26292
(877) 686-6233
www.mountainmade.com

New Horizon Gallery
100 E Washington St.
Lewisburg, WV 24901
(304) 645-5600

O’Hurley’s General Store
205 E Washington St.
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304) 876-6907
www.ohurley.com

Oglebay
Rt 88 North Oglebay Park
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 243-4038
www.oglebay-resort.com

Original Jewelry & Fine Gifts
10225 Research Blvd.
Ste 100
Austin, TX 78759
(512)-343-2011

Panache Gallery
1949 US Rt 1
Cape Neddick, ME 03902
(207) 646-4878

Pete & Jean Folk Antiques
25 Spruceton Rd.
Galeton, PA 16922

Peter’s Valley Crafts Center
19 Kuhn Rd.
Layton, NJ 07851
(973) 948-5200
www.petersvalley.org

Pipestem State Park
Rt 20
Pipestem, WV 25979
(304) 466-1800
www.pipestemresort.com

Point of View
5560 Main St.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 634-6235

Present Tense
168 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 218-2334
www.presenttensegallery.com

Prickett Fort
Rt 3 Box 407
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 366-7392

Queen Street Gallery
213 N Queen St.
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 263-9495

Inn at Maple Crossing
14709 Maple Inn Rd SE
Mentor, MN 56736
(218) 637-6600
www.innatmaplecrossing.com

River’s Bend Gallery
201 Main St.
Ste 8
Parkville, MO 64152
(816) 587-8070

RRCA
22 N High St.
Millville, NJ 08332
(856) 327-4500
www.riverfrontcenter.org


Old Stone House
313 Chesnut St.
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 599-8421

Seven Sisters Gallery
117 Cherry St.
Black Mountain, NC 28711
www.sevensistersgallery.com

Sky’s the Limit
200-A N Market St.
Fredrick, MD 21701
(304) 620-1440

Speedart Museum
2035 S 3rd St.
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 634-2702
www.speedmuseum.org

Spirit of Art
3459 W Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 353-0064
www.spiritofartgallery.com

St. Francis Hospital North
Gift Shop
3421 Medical Park Dr.
Monroe, LA 71203
(318) 361-4603

St. Francis Hospital
Gift Shop
333 Laidley St.
Charleston, WV 25322
(304) 347-6500

Sweet Lips Art & Gift Gallery
721 Fremont St.
Lake Mills, WI 53551
(608) 345-9094

The Blue Moose
29 High St.
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 246-2000

The Bronze Look
311 Mercer St.
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 920-2081

The Cottage Craftsman
44 Frye St.
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-6207
www.thecottagecraftsman.com

The Cozy Corner
127 Main St.
Whitesburg, KY 41858

The Gallery
1007 Town Center Mall
Charleston, WV 25389

The Garden Gate
99 S Bay Ave.
Brightwaters, NY 11718
(631) 666-8576

The Mole Hole
35 RHL Blvd
S Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 925-4060

The Painted Daisy
133 S Central Ave.
Eureka, MO 63025
(636) 938-7575

The Pottery Outlet
Rt 36 & Glenn Rd.
East Freedom, PA 16637

The Things I Love
9425 West St.
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 335-7711
www.thethingsilovemanassas.com

The Village Firefly
2422 Rice Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-2808
www.thevillagefirefly.com

The Vintage Lady
180 High St.
Harpersferry, WV 25425
(304) 535-1313
www.harpersferryvintagelady.com

Tickled Pink
605 N Main St.
Nicholsonville, KY 40356
(859) 885-1232

To Each His Own
2525 Circle Dr.
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 352-2862

Trillium
99 Partition St.
Saugerties, NY 12477
(845) 246-2273

Tula’s
409 N Main St.
Millford, MI 48381
(248) 684-6808

Twin Falls State Park
Rt 97
Mullens, WV 25882
(304) 294-4000
www.twinfallsresort.com

Tygart Lake State Park
Rt 1 Box 260
Grafton, WV 26354
(304) 265-6148
www.tygartlake.com

Vittoria & Banks
232 Adams St.
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 363-6955
www.vittoriabanks.com

W. Railroad Merchants Mall
238 Gulfside St.
Waveland, MS 39576
(228) 324-1697

Frick & Frack
1470 Rt 23 N
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 696-8266

Wheeling Artisan Center
1400 Main St.
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 232-1810
www.artisancenter.com

Whimsical Treasures
7 E Main St.
Buckhannon, WV 26201
(304) 472-5186

Willow
119 E Woodlin Ave.
Chelan, WA 98816
(509)682-8700

Wolfe’s Gallery
119 N Woodland Blvd.
Deland, FL 32720
(386) 740-1492
www.wolfegallery.com

Tamarack
I-77 Exit 45
Beckley, WV 25801
(800) 498-6233
(304) 256-6708 Fax
www.tamarackwv.com

Yeager Airport
Ste 172
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 342-5231