Jeff Foley:  

For about a year after graduation I stayed in Maine doing some odd jobs while attending USM part time. I got a call from Steve Jalbert who was working in Nashua NH as a kitchen supervisor and soon moved in with him and became a food and beverage purchasing agent. With a chain saw and some chisels I began learning and gravitating toward the unique profession of ice sculpting under the watchful eye of Chef Greg Picard and of course Steve Jalbert. I began realizing my destiny as my first joint adventure as sculptors with Dave Peterson surfaced. The project was to design, sculpt, and deliver a 15-foot, 15,000-pound globe and logo for a corporate event in South Portland at the Marriott. I continued to learn the art of ice sculpting carving pieces for buffets, weddings, and corporate events in New Hampshire. In 1992 I moved from the NH to Monterey CA still following Steve Jalbert around the country. Monterey was where I met my beautiful wife Tracy. After a couple of years in Monterey I left the food and beverage industry and Tracy and I moved to San Francisco and I started working with my brother at Foley Hi-Tech as the office manager. On January 1st, 1995 our first daughter Korissa was born. With in 6 months we decided to move from the high paced city life to raise our child in a more family friendly environment so we move to Napa CA. In a small rental house having life long friend Dave Peterson over for a visit we decided to start Clear Memories. We started it as a Catering Company and ice sculpting. After just a few catering jobs we decided to focus solely on the ice sculpting part of our business. Working several jobs trying to save enough money to purchase equipment this was a difficult time with one small child and the second on the way. On February 21st 1997 our second daughter Mikayla was born. 1998 we purchased a small house across the street from the house where T...Expand for more