Local couple creating unique items for home and garden
With a bit of lumber, a few dabs of paint and a lot of creativity and talent, a Redwood Meadows couple has been crafting striking creations for the home and garden for almost 10 years.
Maurice and Joan Jonckheere regularly participate in the Cochrane Farmers Market, including the most recent on July 7, as well as the Parkdale Community Association’s weekly indoor farmers market in Calgary.
They sell a variety of items including birdhouses, bat houses, planter boxes in the shape of deer and bears, furniture, serving trays, toilet paper and paper towel holders, banana hangers, jewelry boxes and rocking horses.
“Everybody likes something different, so we like to offer a real variety,” said Joan, who paints the items after Maurice assembles them.
The Jonckheeres began creating their pieces of art several years ago while living in Ontario, after Joan started taking painting classes at night, while Maurice worked late shifts.
When he wasn’t busy working for contractors, Maurice began making things out of wood as a way to pass the time. Later, Joan would paint the items to give them a little added flair.
“It started as just a hobby and got bigger from there,” said Maurice.
When the desire to turn a profit from their newfound hobby arose, the couple decided to sell their items at a local store, before deciding to transition to farmers markets.
“We like doing markets because it’s kind of fun and we get to interact with the people who are buying our stuff,” said Joan.
In 2004, the couple packed up and moved cross-country to their current home in Redwood Meadows, roughly six kilometres northeast of Bragg Creek. After a short hiatus they picked up their craft again two years ago.
In addition to the items they regularly sell at farmers markets, the Jonckheeres also create custom and special orders through their business, now known as Redwood Rainbow Creations.
All of the items are crafted from cedar and pine and are available for purchase out of the Jonckheeres’ home.
For more information, contact Joan or Maurice at 403-949-5605.
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