Focus on Texas: Homemade

One-of-a-kind items, crafted from good intentions and gifted hands

By Ashley Clary-Carpenter December 2013

The West fertilizer plant explosion hit close to home for HILCO EC’s Donna Pustejovsky, whose family lost a home and farm. Daughter Kaylee created this piece with West as the heart of Texas using a small door from a barn on that farm.

Jennifer Connor, Pedernales EC, wanted to make daughter Maya something special for her first day of kindergarten, so she fashioned this backpack out of fabric Maya picked. Connor says Maya, shown here with little sister Maizy leading the way, couldn’t be happier with her one-of-a-kind bag.

Paul Garcia, a Medina EC member who has participated in Alamo battle re-enactments, honored ancestors who fought for Texas independence by carving his 1836 replica flintlock musket with their names.

Mmm, tasty! Or should we say prickly? This prickly pear syrup was made by Pamela Trede, Pedernales EC.

Pretty in pink: Fannin County EC’s Ksenia Hudgins’ girl Mila shows off her mommy-made jacket.

Web Extra: Pam Johnson, Navasota Valley EC, made this fused heart necklace at her Lake Limestone studio by cutting and layering orange glass on a clear glass base. The glass is heated to 1,700 degrees in a kiln, getting so hot it boils and creates clear bubbles, and after cooling it is cut and refired.

Web Extra: Penny Acker, Grayson-Collin EC, says this rocking chair, crafted from oak more than 80 years ago by Honnie Lee Adcox, husband Jerry Acker’s grandfather, has rocked many Grayson County babies.

Web Extra: Lisa Kestler, Pedernales EC, built this chicken coop with daughters Heidi, left, and Haylie as a summer project. ‘My husband [David Kestler] showed us how to use the essential tools, and using mainly recycled materials, we built ourselves a coop!’ she says.

Web Extra: ‘My husband, Sean [Eubanks], put a lot of sweat and elbow grease in making this playscape for our daughters [Anna, Robin and Klara]. When the weather is nice, I can hardly get them away from it,’ says Toni Eubanks, Bryan Texas Utilities.

Web Extra: ‘My husband [Brad Kershaw] loves rebuilding old cars. He used recycled car parts to make this race-car mailbox,’ says Bonnie Kershaw, United Cooperative Services.

Web Extra: Joyce Parrish, Sam Houston EC, made this crazy-style lap quilt without a pattern for sister-in-law Lori.

Web Extra: Jim Schobey, husband of Patti Schobey, Victoria EC, built this bridge brick by brick. ‘It took him over two and a half years, but it is so worth it,’ she says.

Web Extra: Joan Collins made this quilt after the death of her husband, Ed Collins. ‘Instead of getting rid of Ed’s ties, she designed this quilt and others like it to preserve that memory of him for her children, grandchildren and for herself. What a great way to honor him!’ says Harriet Kay Renick, Pedernales EC, who sent it in.

Web Extra: Patti Poe, Wise EC, says she enjoys canning the produce that her husband plants and harvests every year.

There are some things you just can’t find in a store. Their value is beyond a price tag. They are homemade treasures that come from the heart, with stories that do likewise. We hope you appreciate as we did these fine displays of craftsmanship, passion and good taste.