Editor’s note: The village of Suring, founded in 1815, is celebrating its centennial year. This is the first of a series of articles highlighting the artists of Suring.
Jennifer “Jenny” Buhrandt retired from teaching 14 years ago. She taught at the now closed Spruce School.
About 20-plus years ago the teachers were invited to a “Stamping Up” party. (A verse or poem is stamped on a completed project, giving the name to the hobby.) Thus began the hobby of making cards for every occasion. Buhrandt makes about 60 cards just for Christmas. She is already working on the cards she will send for Christmas 2015.
In the beginning, classes were held once a month. She still attends classes, although not as often, taught by Mary Polcin, of Shawano. According to Buhrandt, new ideas shared at classes by friends Donna Rakow, Laurie Krause and others keep the hobby interesting and challenging.
Polcin presents four new projects each session. Besides making cards, the group makes party favor boxes in many shapes and sizes, such as Santas, snowmen, pumpkins and French fry boxes. The specialty boxes are a cute way to present dinner guests with a favor, she said.
Buhrandt purchased a Big Shot machine that puts texture on paper. The desired texture is selected, put on the Big Shot platform and hand turned through it. She also has a magnetic platform for the Big Shot and magnetic frame lit dyes that allow her to cut paper precisely.
Buhrandt said she loved teaching and crafting with her students. She said Stamping Up gives her the opportunity to sit and enjoy working with markers, crayons, paper and ribbon.
She also has an enthusiasm for Christmas decorating. Red bowls filled with gold and red bulbs shine in her kitchen and laundry room. The 12 days of Christmas are displayed on the bathroom cabinet.
However, the piece de resistance is the display of Christmas houses, numbering more than 160. Tree houses, an English village, carnival scenes, Santa’s home with a 2014 gift of Santa’s outhouse, a mountain scene built in the corner of the living room, winter sports, the Christmas Carol Village, a cathedral and a palace are all surrounded with a variety of trees, fences, people and more.
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