"Everyday Heroes"

 "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."                                      

                                                                                           Leo Buscaglia

We all know an "Everyday Hero", someone who consistently shows in big or small ways how much they care. It might be a school teacher, babysitter, grandma, or neighbor. It might be someone you know or someone who just passes through your day never to be seen again. Everyday heroes know that small things matter. They know a kind word or a smile can go a long way.  

I met an "Everyday Hero" this week. His name is Scooter. He stopped into the Fusionglass Co. gallery to ask for directions to a local costume store Gypsy Treasures. I knew exactly where it was and directed him with visual clues included.  

"Look for a baseball field on the right" I said... "a big red building on the left..."  

He thanked me profusely for the visual clues and I said "I'm an artist, that's how I see things". 

He said "You're an artist! me too!"  he then proceeded to dig around in his backpack and pulled out a bunch of balloons and a little pump. He asked me my favorite color (green), and while he fashioned me this lovely green flower he told me a little about himself.

He was on his way to the costume store to buy more balloons. He took up balloon art years ago after suffering a brain injury during a motorbike accident. He said the visual clues I gave  him using color and shape would really help. He rides around on a scooter (and hence the nickname) and when he sees someone sad or mad or in need of a smile, he makes them a balloon gift!  Scooter knows it's the little things that count. I was so glad to meet him and as I thanked him I told him he had made my day!

If you live in my neighborhood and happen to meet Scooter or see him riding along, give him a wave and a smile, I know it will make his day!

I'm writing this blog a week before "Valentines" day and know it can be an especially hard time for many people. As any holiday can. The focus on couples and being part of something can leave many people feeling discarded and uncared for. Which is sad for a holiday about making people feel special and loved.

"They" say that doing something for 21 days in a row makes it a habit. So we have just enough time left in the month of February to form a new habit. 

I am going to concentrate of letting people know I care. For the next 21 days (I don't plan to stop after 21 days) I will focus on doing at least one nice "unexpected" thing for someone.

There are all kinds of free or inexpensive ways to show someone you care.

 One of my favorites is to share a beautiful

  inspirational quote.   

Dropped into a colleagues inbox on a busy day it can be uplifting and re-energizing 

or 

Inspiration on a note tucked under the wiper-blades instead of the usual junk you find there! 

How about bringing in the garbage cans for a neighbor. This is one I especially appreciate!

 

Do you know an "Everyday Hero"?

Just use this link to email your nomination to us at Fusionglass Co. Please include one paragraph on why you think your nominee is an "Everyday Hero". Only nominations received before midnight on Feb 26th 2015 will be considered.

On Saturday February 28th we'll announce our winner on Facebook.
The winner & the person who nominated them will each receive a beautiful fused glass heart pendant created by one of our Fusionglass Co. artists. Right from our Heart to yours!

 The photos below include my very own "Everyday Heroes"  I am lucky to be surrounded by wonderful giving loving people. Thank you all for your support and love, It sure makes life grander to know you!

 

"Take pART" a mobile glass class and fundraising opportunity. Wants to come to YOUR school.

"Take pART"  

 

“Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.” Richard Feynman

Fusionglass Co's traveling glass class wants to come to YOUR school!

"Take pART" students work

Our "Take pART" program was developed in direct response to many conversations with teachers when they visit the Fusionglass Co. gallery. They often mention how much the kids love to create and how much they would enjoy our classes, and lament the fact that there is little or no money for field trips and not enough parents free during the day to carpool the kids. At Fusionglass Co.we really feel a need to share the joy of creativity with anyone who expresses an interest.  We know through experience that to allow yourself to become immersed in a creative endeavor can free your mind from the day to day worries and obstacles that life invariably throws up. To rejuvenate your soul through creativity brings joy to the creator and the viewer alike.






It's a communication with imagery, It's like saying the words you cannot say.



We wanted to share our art with the kids and decided to look for a way that would allow us to bring the experience of glass working right into the classrooms. After some research and playing around with different ways of transporting the projects, we have found something that works beautifully.



While we do charge a reduced price, we also wanted to help perpetuate such programs by helping the kids recoup the money spent.

We think we came up with a rather brilliant idea: 
We have the kids make two pieces of glass, one for themselves and one for a group project.


We can make the group project into many different items including platters,  bowls, wall pieces, or a hanging mobile.

The group project is then returned to the school as an auction item for their school fundraiser.




 


 


In the photos at right we show the projects before and after firing. Each square is approximately 2"x2 "















The kids can choose to have their square made into a pendant or a key ring.

The pendant/keyring class is the most popular project we do with the schools, tho' they do have the opportunity to choose from about 9 different projects which can be viewed here :
 "Take pART" projects





 

 We are so very grateful for the grant received from the wonderful people at
 Friends of East County Arts, Inc.  With which we were able to purchase supplies and tools for the mobile classes.
 
The purpose of this organization is to provide funds for the growth and development of audiences for the live performing arts; to present world class artists, and to support the fine arts and artists in the Greater East San Diego County area.
  
We are eternally grateful also for the encouragement,enthusiasm & friendship from individual members of this dedicated group.





We had 25 squares from this group and decided they were perfect for a platter.

I set them on a background of clear class and used some glass stringers in shades of blue to tie it all together.

The glass is fired twice, The first time fuses all of the pieces together, and the second lower temperature firing shapes the piece.

It's important to check the size of the piece against the mold, Here I've laid the platter on  the mold into which it will be fired, if it overlaps in any way there is a risk of fusing the mold into the glass.












Here's a look at how the piece finished. We think it's a beautiful way to capture a moment in time.

 "Take pART" Fundraiser

 Donate ART & CRAFTS supplies and tools you are not using or have outgrown & you'll be helping us get our "Take pART" program into local schools.

Bring your items to fusionglass Co. any time before October 30th 2014.

Looking for a reason to go through the closets?
Need to move those old  art supplies or tools?

We'll have a big sale of all the items received in November 2014 
We'll be keeping most items to just $1.00!
With a $2.00 charge at the door. Unless you've donated something.

 The funds raised will go towards supplies for the "Take pART" program.


Looking for a way to make YOUR Fundraiser fun?  Email us for ideas on how to make your fundraiser a huge success! info@fusionglassco.com