It's a great old company...glad they haven't closed.
Linda C

Here's a letter explaining what happened...(you can find it on Fenton's website)

August 15, 2008
An open letter to friends of Fenton Art Glass:
A little over a year ago, we announced that the glass company would wind down operations and close its
doors. Our main lender and financial advisors had determined that this was the only course to follow to
deal with our situation. Speaking personally, I can tell you that this announcement was difficult to make,
and there were a lot of tears shed that day.
However, as we processed the unanticipated (and unbelievable!) surge of orders for Fenton glass after the
announcement, our advisors reexamined the prospects for restructuring our company financially and developed
a plan for the approval of our creditors. In December 2007, this plan enabled us to offer some new products to
our customers. The offering was well received, and, since that time, we have been able to move forward and to
offer additional products for the Fenton USA and the Fenton International divisions of our company. As it turned
out, we never had to close the factory.
During the past year, we have made many internal changes to reduce our costs and maximize our efficiency.
All of our employees have worked hard to create, produce and market the handmade colored art glass that
is so much a part of our lives. Our QVC show on July 4 went very well, and we are now busy planning products
and making items for a two-hour QVC show that will air sometime in early October. Our web site and weekly
eNewsletters will keep you up to date on this show as well as any other Fenton news.
Many have asked questions about our moulds. As you may have read in our weekly eNewsletters, we have
added the letters "USA" alongside the Fenton logo for those moulds we use to make glass in Williamstown.
None of our moulds have left this country, and we plan to keep them just where they are.
During the recent club conventions, our new Fenton International giftware line, highlighted by Gold Ruby
glass and its distinctive Fenton International logo, was displayed in the Fenton Gift Shop and reviewed
with the convention attendees. We are hopeful that this giftware line and others from the Fenton International
division will open some new marketing avenues for us. As I say to our employees at our company-wide meetings,
we are not yet "out of the woods." The environment for business today is indeed challenging, and we are striving
daily to meet those challenges.
We continue to be grateful for the wonderful support we have received from dealers and collectors.
Without you, we would not be where we are today. We will continue to work to preserve the Fenton tradition.
Sincerely,
George W. Fenton, President

A number of years ago we visited the Fenton factory in Williamstown, West virginia. It was interesting to watch what elements were used to make various colors. we have many pieces of Fenton milk glass.

That said, the market for collectibles in general is very challenging for many companies. IMO, it is a generational thing. Over 30 years we have collected about 700 pieces of Precious Moments. We have been to a couple national conventions in Carthage, MO, and I suggest the average age of attendees is 55. Now that we are seniors, our budget does not include many collectibles.

Regarding Fenton, its style does not lend itself to more modern homes and younger couples raising children.

I don't agree....we visit Fenton on a semi-regular basis, and they have things for every taste and wallet...they make and sell a vast variety of items. However, I think that many of us over 55 years old have more disposable income than do "young couples raising children", as indicated by those you mention, attending national conventions. When we visit there area always people of all ages there...grannies to toddlers.

Plus, families with young children tend not fill the house with fragile collectibles!

Annie

I am also speaking as a personal friend of a person who owns nine Hallmark stores which have a wide range of collectibles.