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Loïc
05-27-2009, 02:21 PM
It’s been a month, and I feel I need to get back up on my feet, and face the world, stop to depress and the mourning on this thing and try to move on...
First, I need to say a BIG thanks everyone for the support, help and donations, etc... I’ve haven’t had the feeling too much to talk about it in the past weeks, but it’s great to see people from this place rally up, and help in time of need. Thanks to ClearDome who helped get the word out and started the help circle!!! (http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26315) Thierry for his presence, Friendship and help.
Many Thanks to Kristian @ GenerationGlass and UST Glass, you guys ROCKS, and truly make this community heart beats.
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After 7 years of glassblowing, hard work and sacrifice, devotion to art and passion for the glass, to spend all of my free time and free money in that glass shack, years of saving and privation to buy new glass equipment, etc... Your heart almost stops when you see your hard work burned to the ground in an hour.
That afternoon of April 23 is going to be marked forever in my head. The sight of that big garage going down like a matchbox was horrifying.

People where just starting to arrive for what should have been one of the best Week-end of the Year, The first GLDG Glass Reunion in Eastern Canada... (http://www.thegldg.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25922&highlight=shop+north) Alex had just barely time to see the shop and drop in his stuff, when we went out to do some errands.
Thierry was staying home for lunch... and maybe 20minutes later, distress phone call from Thierry... the shit is burning down. Luckily Thierry was still around and had the good reflex to go in and bring out the Propane.... because otherwise it could have turn even worse, mainly for the firefighter... He had time to save a couple stuff, but the firefighter where there pretty quick and prevent him from coming in again the smoke beginning to get so thick.

There’s how the shop look Before :
The shop 24x24’: http://s596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/pouceverre/?action=view&current=P3280271.jpg
the second Floor (storage) 24x24’:
http://s596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/pouceverre/?action=view&current=P3310378.jpg
The Outside Building 24x62 feet, (old pic, before renovating) : http://www.pouceverre.com/pics/after/IMG_0916.JPG
Many more good picture in the photobucket : http://s596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/pouceverre/
The post I made in April about the new shop... : http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25881

This is the worst nightmare any glassblower could live... the thing that make us wake up in the night, thinking did i close all my tank, is my kiln safe.... will my shop burn down...
And when it happens to you.... ouch..
The cause of the fire seems to be some hashes from the woodstove that was left in a pile in the back of the garage, the wind would have bring them into the Woodshed, and the fire started there, to spread to the garage pretty quick with all the wind that day.

For those who haven’t seen it, a dude put a video of it on YOUTUBE :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehYQQBbklsY

The front view is bad... but the side view was even worst, the only really left standing up are the front door of the garage....

Some pics of After :
The Shop (same view) : http://www.pouceverre.com/pics/after/P5041128.JPG
The Second Floor (Same View) : http://www.pouceverre.com/pics/after/P5041155.JPG
The same outside view.... notice the house almost went with the fire... : http://www.pouceverre.com/pics/after/P5041097.JPG
And more picture in that folder : http://www.pouceverre.com/pics/after/

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Now what for the future... i don’t know yet... I’m just really starting to think clearly about all this. Matt from montreal offered a bench space for the time that i think about whats next... will i rebuild, and when..etc...
I might be using the summer, while the time the insurance clears out ( I don’t have too much hope for those ) to travel and clear my mind out of this mood I am... maybe find a bench space in the u.s. for August, somewhere kool where I could create and visit around at the same time.
But you guys can all be sure that when i rebuild, I WILL host and this time without SHIT another Glass Reunion Up here.... maybe this fall.... celebrating the rebirth of the phoenix.
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I thanks again everyone who offered their help , and the donation make for us via Generation glass,
Many people want to set up an Auction for me, maybe people give a lil’ thing in glass they do, pendants, sculpture, marble, etc, and setup an EBAY auction, so this would really help me settin back a new shop, and i think its the best way for everyone to help out ( many glass blower wanna help me, but everyone need their money to run the shop etc, and i understand, the best for you is making a little pieces for the auction... ) ( the same applied for a lot of people in my town and my entourage, etc... im also part of many Art and Cultural association... i could spread the word and they could help me out, by buying your Art.. ! )
Anyway i still gotta continue living, and making the best of whats to come,
THANKS TO ALL GODS no one was hurt, and thanks for this community for their support and positive vibe.
Hope i cover it much... i will be back in a couple days from montreal...
Take Care !!
I luv u all
Loïc

themoch
05-28-2009, 11:30 AM
I'm glad that you're thinking forward. It must have been one of the hardest things to deal with.

If you pass through Washington DC i have a place you can work for a few days. I'm in a pretty sweet artists community.

I hope you rebuild. It would be pretty sad if you decided not to.

harpentuan
05-28-2009, 11:50 AM
Catharsis. You guy must be mentally healing now.

Did anything interesting survive the tragedy? Did any certain torches survive? Just curious.

Best wishes for your future.

Clear_dome
05-28-2009, 12:02 PM
f#$k just read it back make me feel weird just like I was during I was looking to you , while you was watching your own shop burning down ....I was feeling so useless and mad cause your shop was so nice and there was so much work on it !? .....anyway ! I'm more than glad to see you posting here , back on your feet , thinking foward !! As soon as I will get my stuff back (mainly my torch) I'll go help you to make some production in montreal to get this shop back !!

mucho good vibes and peace to you Loic !
Alex

skip
05-28-2009, 12:04 PM
Man That was horrible to watch. Keep your head up. Obviously you have the mindset and will to build a shop like that in the first place. I am sure your next one will be even better.

PyroChixRock
05-28-2009, 07:56 PM
*hugs Loïc*

Keep your head up. Can't wait to see pics of your new shop one day. ;)

Swampy
05-28-2009, 08:36 PM
Yeah mate don't worry, everything will work out.

Once you've set something up and then you loose it, it's easy to put it all back together again because you've done it all before.

Beauty of it is, you know what the weaknesses are and you've learnt the lessons.


ps: If you need a French translation of this just let me know, I have a very good friend that specialises init. (Yinz)


:-)

beachglass
05-29-2009, 06:15 PM
hey loic, glad youre feeling a bit more optimistic now. like skip said, you are the type of guy who could build a shop like that in the first place, so i dont see why you cant do it again!

if youre coming to ontario you gotta come my way....BRING BEER hahaha

keep your chin up man, it can only get better from here

jane clifton
05-30-2009, 06:28 AM
Holy Shit!!!

Reverend
06-03-2009, 08:33 AM
Tough man.. You got to love the curve balls life throws at ya from time to time..
GL with the rebuild..

smutboy420
06-03-2009, 07:42 PM
WOW that blows.

Definitely rebuild some way. Some how.

Blacksheep
06-17-2009, 09:16 PM
sorry to hear and glad no one was hurt
hope there is some insurance to help you rebuild