Ty Fry
After serving nearly 21 years in the United States Navy and travelling the world during 10 deployments on multiple aircraft carriers, and one destroyer, Ty retired back to Michigan. Soon after returning to his home state, not only did he study to get his bachelor’s degree but his master’s degree as well. He then became employed by the University of Michigan working with Michigan Medicine, where he has been for the last 18 years.
He decided he needed a hobby, so purchased a wood lathe and began investing in the various pieces of equipment and supplies to create writing pens, keychains and the like. He found a niche here and has thoroughly enjoyed the creation aspects of making something beautiful and useful. The uniqueness of his pens is that no two are ever identical, each being a one-of-a-kind piece. He works with various woods and acrylics but likes working with the wood better. Each pen blank has its own streaks of woodgrain, and he finds satisfaction in bringing out the beauty of each grain as he finishes the product. The acrylics can pose a bit of a challenge at times, but like the woods, their colors and patterns can be compared to opening a wrapped gift… you never know what’s inside but know it will be beautiful!
Wanting to branch out to other areas of his creativity, he purchased a laser/engraving machine. The learning curve and techniques used for the various mediums for coasters, boxes (wood and cardboards), plaques, charcuterie boards (and so much more) have been interesting. He has even started engraving on rocks… as he says, “the fun never stops!”
Ty has a keen eye for all things beautiful and over the past several years has enjoyed getting in touch with his creative side.
Debbie McWilliams Fry
Growing up around livestock and its “people,” she has made friendships and work relationships with a vast majority and has remained connected to the industry that is close to her heart.
In her early teens, she knew what path her life would take, as far as a career… it was either going to be the world’s most successful tropical fish store OR a printing company! In her senior year of high school, she worked half a day at a printing company in her hometown in Texas, this is where she learned the trade of “typesetting,” on what we would now term as “antiquated machinery!” She has advanced through the years with different employers (and FRIENDS who became teachers, in the business), having the opportunity to expand her knowledge of various steps in desktop publishing and printing processes. She jokes at times, that being a graphic artist is as close to ‘owning her own printing company’ as she wants to be!
Her 40 years of experience in the publishing, typography and photography business have earned her an award-winning reputation among her peers and clients. Her exclusive list of clients nationwide, and from diverse businesses, appreciate the true attention to detail she offers in every project. From the initial commission, all projects large or small, each is conceptually conceived the same for compelling results.
Visual expressions that inspire have always been the trademark of native Texan (now living in Michigan) her. She has had a long-time desire to create pieces of art from her original photographs of nature, locations and whatever connects with her through her camera lens. Her vision is then followed by her creativity at the computer, which is combined with her positive view of daily life, her faith and values.
She also shares her work in frameable unique pieces and seeks to remind people of the good in their life and the goodness of God.
Ty and Debbie’s Story
Many people wonder how a girl from Texas and a boy from Michigan could find their way to each other, specifically before internet dating and such. Our story began in 1990 when the first Gulf War broke out, a friend of Debbie’s got mailing addresses to 4 different aircraft carriers, so she decided to compose a ‘newsletter’ of sorts, just to show her support for all those who served. She sent 70 copies of the newsletter to the 4 carriers, all of which had over 5,000 people on board. The pieces of mail that were not addressed to anyone specific, were laid about in the mess hall, where anyone could pick it up. To her surprise, she received multiple letters back, thanking her for her support and a show of gratitude from each sailor. That warmed her heart! But there was one person who wrote her back and sent a picture… she looked at the photo and somewhere deep in her heart, she knew he was ‘the one.’ Once Ty got back from deployment, they talked on the phone quite a bit and wrote back and forth. After a couple of years, however, they parted and went their separate ways, each walking their own path.
Fast forward 18 years later, to the advent of internet, email and social media… a very dear friend of Debbie’s invited her to be her friend on Facebook, one that Debbie could not decline, even though she had tried to avoid social media! After a couple of weeks, and just trying to learn the ropes of this electronic social life, she did a search for one “Ty Fry” and got brave enough to send him an instant message, asking if he was HER “Ty Fry.” It was indeed… that was March 2010 and they decided to finally meet in person the following year halfway between Texas and Michigan. After spending a week together in Memphis, they both left there knowing what their future held. The following May, Ty flew to Texas and moved Debbie to Michigan. Because the Navy is what brought these two together, they decided November 11th (Veteran’s Day) would be the day to say, “I do” and did in 2013!
They have forged this journey together, every step of the way, very early on becoming “Team Fry” and have now decided it was time to share their many talents with others. It is with a very grateful heart that they welcome you to view their crafts!