2005-03
- by Susan McIver -
Summerland sisters Donna Harbour and Wendy Kinney turned their talent for needlework and interest in healing potions into a thriving home-based business.
The sisters use the brand name Two Crafty Sisters for their needlework. They sell matching sets of table runners, napkins and wine bags from their home year round and at the Penticton Farmers' Market from May through October.
"It started with making bags for bottles of wine used as hostess gifts," Donna said. Soon she was getting requests to custom make the bags. Then she began sewing napkins and later expanded to table runners. Each runner has an insulated Teflon liner in the back to protect the table from hot dishes. "There's no need to use a trivet," Wendy said.
The runners, napkins and bags are made from pre-washed 100% cotton. "We're always on the lookout for attractive fabrics," Donna said. Sometimes customers provide their own material for custom-made orders.
The sisters learned the basics in school and then taught themselves on a 'need to know' basis.
"We sent table runners and napkins with a holiday motif to friends and family at Christmas this year. They were delighted and plan to use them as part of future holiday décor," said Robin Wyndham of Summerland.
Wendy's daughter Michelle started selling salves and creams at the farmers' market in the early 1990s. Upon graduating from high school, Michelle set about concocting a salve that would alleviate the symptoms of her eczema. She settled on a mixture of oils, beeswax, essential oils and herbs that is reputed to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis as well.
When Michelle started university seven years ago, her mother and aunt took over the business. "She's now finishing law school at the University of Victoria," Wendy said proudly.
Donna and Wendy use the brand name Pudy's Potions because 'Pudy' is the family's nickname for Michelle. Currently, the Pudy's Potions label is on a salve for abrasions and burns, a lip balm and hand and body creams as well as the eczema salve. The creams come in enticing fragrances such as ylang-ylang with jasmine and chamomile with lavender. Customers can also buy peppermint foot cream to soothe their aching feet. "Our salves and creams are made with all natural ingredients- and a lot of loving," Wendy said.
Both Donna and Wendy enjoy meeting people both at their home and the farmers' market.
Wendy and Donna's husbands, Frank and Bob respectively, are pressed into service as quality control agents for the needlework and Pudy's Potions.
Reflecting on their market endeavors, Wendy said, "It's a nice thing for sisters to do together." Some of their profits pay for trips together to such places as Las Vegas and Cancun, Mexico. On these trips the sisters shop for interesting fabric for table runners along with having a good time.
The Penticton Farmers' Market is held Saturday mornings, 8:30 to noon, May through October, in the 100 block of Main Street. |
