Sam Hogue Handmade Marbles

For over 40 years, Sam Hogue of Ellenboro, WV has been working in the hand-blown glass business. He started at the age of sixteen where he was hired at the Mid-Atlantic Glass Factory. He worked there until the plant closed in 2003.Early on Sam developed an interest in hand-made marbles. With permission he started practicing his technique and would make marbles at the factory on the weekends. When the plant closed, Sam built his own shop beside his house. Now he no longer walked across the road to the factory but walked into his own backyard. Equipped with his own glory hole, pipes, and blocks, Sam now happily spends his days working with molten glass and creating his own unique marbles. Each marble is truly one of a kind as no two marbles are ever exactly alike. For years, marble collectors have been amazed to watch Sam work the glass until it turns into pieces of art. Depending on the design of the marble the time to make it varies. Its complete when Sam hand signs it.