Summervilles debut Pure Prairie creations
Staff writer
Becky and John Summerville of rural Marion didn't really intend on going into the arts and crafts business.
But that was before people saw the decorated barbed wire Christmas tree the couple created for display during Marion Chamber of Commerce's annual "Christmas Magic" table display event.
"I was packing up my stuff up. Margo (Yates) saw it and had a fit. She said, 'You've gotta bring this to Art in the Park'," Becky recalled.
The Summervilles, who are calling their creations, "Pure Prairie," are one of approximately 235 vendors who will be exhibiting unique arts and crafts during Marion's 26th annual Art in the Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 in Central Park.
The annual event also will feature numerous food vendors, entertainment, and a shuttle bus service.
Pure Prairie
Art in the Park will signal the Summervilles' debut in the world of arts and crafts.
Becky said when Yates first asked her to exhibit during "Christmas Magic" she had to rack her brain for ideas.
"I got to thinking maybe I could do something with the dried stuff from our pasture," Becky recalled.
That idea snowballed into creating the decorated barbed wire Christmas trees based on similar art Becky saw during their annual visit to the World Quarterhorse Show in Oklahoma City.
"I found a little star and we put that on the top," she said.
As it turned out, the barbed wire trees — decorated with miniature western symbols like cowboy hats, boots, spurs, bandannas, conchos, lariats, and the like — were such a big hit during the Christmas event that requests for the unique art began pouring in.
"People started saying 'I've gotta have one'," Becky said. "Since then we've probably sold maybe 10."
Each barbed wire tree is unique.
"I'm the one who brainstorms and comes up with the ideas," Becky said with a laugh. "Then John rolls his eyes and makes the ideas work."
"She's the brains. I'm just the fabricator," John added.
To the untrained observer it might seem like fabricating the trees would be relatively simple. However, there are a number of steps involved including cutting three strands of wire, then brazing it, all the while working around the barbs.
"I'm real careful and wear gloves, " John said with a laugh.
The Summervilles said they have no idea how many hours are involved in creating one of the trees, although constructing each takes considerable time.
"We work on it after work and on weekends," Becky said. "John will do what he needs to do out in his shop then he brings them to me.
"John does the bulk of the work and I do the decorating," she added.
The Summervilles have made approximately 30 trees for Art in the Park, although they've been told they will need at least 50.
"If we actually sell out we'll take orders," Becky said. "But this is a learning experience for us."
The Summervilles also plan on offering other barbed wire art including wreaths.
Although the couple consider their barbed wire trees to be their main item, the combination of Becky's brains and John's brawn have led to the creation of other unique western-themed crafts which they plan to offer during the show.
"John has been using horseshoes to create tool or utility hooks, book ends, napkin holders, " Becky said. "He even made a door knocker using a spur and a horseshoe."
The Summervilles also are into recycling using used raw materials.
"I use old, rusty horsehoes and old rusty barbed wire," John said. "People just give it away."
The only item that is not recycled are the horseshoe and spur used in creating the Summerville's "jinglebob" door knockers.
After debuting at Art in the Park, the Summervilles already have been asked to exhibit during a craft show in November at Southeast of Saline High School.
Becky and John said they'll be interested in seeing how their Art in the Park debut as artists turns out.
"It's just a learning experience for us," Becky said. "If it goes well we're thinking this is something we can do for a little extra cash."
"I'm just wondering how we're going to transport these," John said pointing to the barbed wire tree and shaking his head. "I may have to haul it in a stock trailer."
