WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Downsizing Christmas
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Ferrisburgh, Vermont - November 27, 2009
Inside the Stone Bridge Studio in Ferrisburgh, Michele Kaplan is another reminder of how many things, even small lessons, we learn from our parents.
"Even if we aren't paying attention!" Kaplan said.
She never expected to make miniature Christmas trees, but that changed when her mother developed cancer.
"Putting up the Christmas tree was a big deal," she recalled.
Her mom loved Christmas but struggled to put up a tree and her other decorations when she got so sick. Kaplan customized an artificial tabletop tree and brought it for the bedside.
"When I showed up with this tree decorated with all the things she loved the snow, ballerinas, and all the silly things like that, the look in her eyes was priceless," Kaplan said.
That was Christmas of 2006. The last Christmas with mom; she died the next Spring. But not before giving her daughter a business suggestion.
"She definitely inspired me to do these," Kaplan said.
Michele Kaplan now sells intricately-designed tabletop trees, many of which go to elderly people or folks in hospitals or nursing homes.
"(People) who are not putting up Christmas trees anymore. It's a big chore, or they are moving into smaller spaces," she explained.
The Christmas decorations may have been the last, but they certainly are not the only artistic lesson from her mother. She also passed down old-time stencil techniques, and helped get her daughter interested in pottery and floral arranging.
But the designer admits her work does have one shortcoming compared to natural trees: "It doesn't smell as good, of course, but you can always put a balsam candle nearby!"
This holiday niche Michele Kaplan fills as a tribute to her late mom is another example of the care and personal touch that goes into so many Made in Vermont products.
"'Made in Vermont' is such a wonderful label, because Vermont is such a wonderful place!" Kaplan said.
For more information call Stone Bridge Studio: 802-425-2052.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont
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