Judith Burkenpas is covering the decorative fir-tree market one bead at a time.
Burkenpas’ creations are all done by hand, with fishing line and a sewing needle, bead by bead, until there are 1,620 beads joined together to form a tree that could be used as a night light, or as part of a holiday village display, or presented as a gift.
It takes Burkenpas 31/2 hours to make one “fir-ever tree,” a combination of the words “fir” and “forever.” Her husband, Richard, a retired engineer, makes all the tree stands. Burkenpas says her high-quality beads are from Rhode Island.
Burkenpas handcrafts fir-ever trees, ornaments, angels and other items for holidays and gifts under the company name Lac’es Inc. This Mukilteo-based business will be among the booths at this year’s Everett Fall Home Show.
Knowing she’s in the minority, Burkenpas likes to get the word out that the home show is more than just spas and kitchen remodels.
“It’s a home show so basically you are thinking of windows and doors and stuff like that, but then when people get to my booth they say ‘Oh, you are here,’” Burkenpas said.
The button dolls are inexpensive and cute and can be bought already made or as a kit. The dolls are made for a variety of themes or occasions, from Gracie Golfer to Lady’s Choice, a doll perfect for Red Hat Society members.
The wine accessories include beaded jewelry for wine bottles, made to dangle from the bottleneck like a, well, necklace that can add a bit of bling to a party. The jewelry can also be given as party favors or used as napkin rings.
Burkenpas said one year she sold 1,200 of the bottle accessories in the middle of a show.
“I was making them like crazy,” Burkenpas said.
At this year’s home show, customers will find that the fir-ever trees have been updated to include a battery-powered module.
Burkenpas, a retired Boeing worker who was a senior manager by the time she left after 25 years, has been making these bead creations for eight years. She said each year her sales increase because of repeat customers.
Theresa Goffredo
425-339-3424
tgoffredo@heraldnet.com
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