Driftwood Fire Logs
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Donna Williamson 55, Lakewood, WA
Founder of Fire it Forward and Hot Shop Heroes Alumni. Donna has been a part of glass art for over 5 years and came up with the concept of "Fire it Forward" after participating in HSH as a way to introduce this unique and captivating art form to others in a variety of less formal ways. This idea has grown into what Fire it Forward is today and the hope is to continue to reach out to the local community and work with our new friends and partners to continue to Fire it Forward!
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Joe Shepherd, 43, Lakewood, WA
Fire it Forward Team, resident artist, and Lead Shop Assistant. Joe was the original participant in Fire it Forward almost 5 years ago when we started visiting local hot shops and learning how to do lampworking and as much about blowing glass as we could during the pandemic. He helps with workshop instruction, maintains the equipment in the shop and assist with necessary upgrades. In addition to learning glass blowing, Joe is also a lathe woodworking artist.
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Loree Carey, 62, Little Rock, WA
Fire it Forward Team and apprentice, Loree was one of the first individuals to sign up for one of our grant sponsored open studios and has become a valuable member of the team and has learned a variety of kill. She is also one of our lead representative during community events and projects.
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John Obermuller, Puyallup, WA
John is a Hot Hop Heroes Alumni as well as one of their veterans on staff as an instructor. He works with us at Fire it Forward and brings his experience and love of glass blowing to every session. When asked if he would like to add anything he simply responded - " I'm no artist yet glass is a medium with endless possibilities!"
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Elvie Obermuller, Puyallup, WA - Elvie has become one of our favorite visitors to the hot shop during studio sessions when she attends with John. Though she does not do hands on with us, her enthusiasm and encouragement always creates a fun and energized environment, and she has a laugh that is infectious!! :)
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Richard Coate, 65, Seattle, WA.
As a Fire it Forward team member, Rich has shown dedication to learning and supporting our community projects and events and travels down from the Seattle are to support and participate in many of our projects.
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James Parker, 63, Shelbyville, KY
A hot shop heroes alumni, Jim relocated to Kentucky during the pandemic where he owns a home and helps transitioning veterans with temporary housing while they arrange for more permanent housing. He has made a niche for himself in his community and traveled back in November with his service dog Sadie, to help with the Light Trail project. Even thousands of miles away, he will always be a part of the team.
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Freeman Summers, 46, Portland, OR.
Freeman and his family are part of the Junior Glassblower family program and make monthly trips from Oregon to participate in projects and practice their skills. Freeman also helps with shop upgrades and maintenance.
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Mason Tinsley, 17, Tacoma, WA
Mason is part of our Junior Glassblower family program and participates with workshops and helping his younger sister Molly and the other kids learn how to blow glass. He is also a Hilltop alumni and participated in classes in school with that program.
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Trevor Jolley, 38, Lake Tapps, WA
Trevor is new to our Fire it Forward family after helping with the veterans day event at the MOG. His experience is with pottery and ceramics as well as a basic interest and ability in art techniques. We look forward to further projects and creating.
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Antonio Morales, 16, NE Tacoma, WA
Tony is part of the Junior Glassblowers family program and his energy and enthusiasm to learn has shown through in his help in every aspect of the Light Trial project and our family workshops. Though he will be going away to school soon, we look forward to getting him back in the shop when he's home visiting.
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Zoe Bezzaz, Jason Reinhardt, Peyton Pruitt (workshop giveaway team project!)
Zoe, Jadon, and Peyton were one of our many winners of the workshop experiences we sponsor. Together they learned a few things about the basics of glass blowing, made a few unique glass blown art pieces, and then we put them to work to make one of the fire bulbs in our Light Trail exhibit. Their willingness to try new things and just have fun made for a great session! We hope to see them back for future projects and classes.
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Fire Box - “Find Your Fire” Fusion glass tiles:
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Donna Williamson, 55, Lakewood, WA (Army Veteran)
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Lori Miller, 63, Tacoma, WA (Family/ Friends)
Lori is one of the Fire it Forward Team members and helps with every aspect of the program to include learning the aspects of coldworking along with everything else. Her support for community events and volunteer opportunities is key to the success of Fire it Forward and our involvement with the community. In addition to learning this art, Lori's experience in the industrial arts also includes over 20 years as a journeyman cabinet maker. She help with the design and build of the frame of the Light Trail lantern.
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Sam Barlow, 26, Lacey, WA (military Dependent)
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Caedyn Nielson, 13, Lacey, WA (Family/Friends)
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Kelly Miller, 63, Tacoma, WA (Family/Friends )
Kelly is a Fire it Forward Team member and has been with our program since one of the first grant sponsored open studio events. Her involvement in the program and learning the techniques of all the aspects of glass art shows in her dedication and enthusiasm, even if she just spends the session assisting and observing the whole process. Kelly is also one of our FiF team members that helps with the South Sound Surfrider monthly Treasures in the Trash clean up events. When asked if she had any memory or experience with glass art or our program she wanted to share and she responded -
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" It has been so fun learning about glass, even when my body parts aren't cooperating enough to participate Ha Ha. 63 yrs old—
I just had a memory of when my fascination all started...decades ago on a trip to Las Vegas. Walking through the Bellagio and seeing the Dale Chihuly installation overhead. I remember just stopping and lying on a bench on my back and gazing up in awe. I wanted to cry, it was so beautiful. Family members had to come back and find me! To think that years later I live in Chihuly territory. (and not only that, while still living in Alaska learned that our family dental hygienist is Chihuly's niece)"
Sarah Barlow, 23, Seville, Spain (military Dependent)
Sarah designed this Fire It Forward website and is the lead consultant for social media communications and updates. She has been a valuable part of the Fire it Forward team helping in many of the community projects and volunteer opportunty events.
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Daniel Williamson, 85, Vancouver, WA
Dan is one of our biggest "Silent" supporters of Fire it Forward as my Father, haha. He is also the oldest contributor to the Light Trail art piece by designing a fire box fusion tile that represented the Battalion he was assigned to during his active duty serving in Germany as a Army Cold War Veteran)
"US Army 1958 to 1961 , 8th Infantry Division Germany, 1959 to 61 in the 12th " Combat " Engineer Battalion building and crossing the Rhine River on floating bridges. " It was an honor to include his tile in this project.
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Robert Durnas, 34, JBLM, WA (Active duty Army)
Robert and his daughter, Isabelle joined us for a fusion glass workshop while they enjoyed some special Daddy/Daughter time making gifts for Mommy and little brother and helping complete the tikes for both the fire box and butterfly garden, We hope to see both of them at other workshops in the future.
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Sam Bishop Cruz, 54, Tacoma, WA (Army Veteran)
Sam Bishop is a hot shop heroes alumni and very active in the performing arts and stand up comedy industry. U.S. Army Medic from the Bronx New York and Owner of Black Sam Entertainment Promoter / Comedian / Actor/ Recording Artist.
Check out his Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bishop98409?igsh=MWJpd2J1dGhkZ25naA==
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Sonya Jordon, 26, Lakewood, WA
(Military Spouse, Paws for Purple Hearts) Sonya works at Paws for Purple Hearts and has welcomed Fire it Forward with open arms to partner in various community projects.
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https://pawsforpurplehearts.org/
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Yayoi Jiko, 28, Tacoma, WA
Yayoi is one of the trainers with Paws for Purple Hearts and has help support Fire it Forward in several projects and shared events. PPH continues to be one of biggest collaborators and Fire it Forward Family.
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Cassidy Cooley, 29, Yelm,WA
Cassidy is a Marine Veteran and one of the trainer with the local chapter of Paws for Purple Hearts. Her and her team at PPH are one of our strongest supporters and works closely to help us with our projects as well as help us as Puppy Fosters for their amazing service dogs in training.
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The Smith Family (Michelle 40, Anthony, 39, Lauren, 7) Tacoma, WA (Active duty Army and family)
The Smith Family participated in the Veteran's Day fusion glass community project as well as made individual pendants for themselves. It was an honor to have them help with our Light Trail project, thank you for your service.
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The Navarro Family (Adrian, Henry, and Margo, Edgewood, WA) (Army Veteran and family)
The Navarro Family participated in the Veteran's Day fusion glass community project at the Museum of Glass as well as made individual pendants for themselves. It was an honor to have them help with our Light Trail project, thank you for your service.
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Trevor Jolley, 38, Lake Tapps, WA (National Guard )
Trevor participated in the Veteran's Day fusion glass community project at the Museum of Glass as well as made individual pendants for themselves. It was an honor to have them help with our Light Trail project, thank you for your service.
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Elena Naumova, 35, Livermore, CA (army Reserves)
participated in the Veteran's Day fusion glass community project at the Museum of Glass as well as made individual pendants for themselves. It was an honor to have them help with our Light Trail project, thank you for your service.
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The Ray Family (Nikolle, 32, Alex, 29, Eli, 7, Kellan, 6, Maverick, 2) JBLM, WA (Active Army and family)
The Ray family participated in the Veteran's Day fusion glass community project at the Museum of Glass and also made individual pendants for themselves. It was an honor to have them help with our Light Trail project, thank you for your service.
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The Perez Family (Vicente and Stacey) Bangor, WA (Active duty Navy)
The Perez family participated in the Veteran's Day fusion glass community project at the Museum of Glass and also made individual pendants for themselves. It was an honor to have them help with our Light Trail project, thank you for your service.
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