ANDERSON, Ind. —
Santa Claus can be all things to various people.
But to Greta Jones, he’s made of all things.
She creates intricate and beautiful Santa dolls from tidbits she finds.
For example, she turned a handheld butane lighter into a rifle for a hunting Santa. A Greek Orthodox reverent Santa wears a cloak lined with real mink fur; his staff is made from a curtain rod.
“This is a good example of what you can do with odds and ends,” said Jones, of Carmel, Ind.
She was asked recently by an acquaintance to exhibit her creations at the Madison County History Center, along with a seasonal exhibit of model trains and military memorabilia running through Dec. 31. The center, 15 W. 11th St., Anderson, is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays — Dec. 15 and 22 — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The exhibits will run through Dec. 31.
Jones, a former interior designer and medical technologist, has been making the Santas for about 14 years. It often takes her years to complete a figure — since they require so many homemade parts.
“It’s very hard to tell when they’re complete because I never know when they’re done.”
Sometimes it takes a while to find the right look. Santa’s face is all but worn out as he holds his “naughty and nice” book in a piece titled “The Night Before the Night Before Christmas,” A day-after-Christmas Santa shows a jollier fellow relaxing in a hammock made from a curved banana holder.
Few of the improvised devices are noticeable until one takes a closer look. That’s part of the enjoyment Jones gets from making the pieces.
“I love the creative element, finding the details and stuff, rummaging for strange things in odd places, in the bottom of drawers and antique shops,” she said. “And saying how can I imagine something.”
They sell for about $100 each and she can be contacted through greta.jns@gmail.com.
Community
Related Photos
-
Greta Jones with some of her homemade Santas that are on display at the History Center.
Discussion
December 11, 2012
A lot of parts make up Santa
- Community
-
-
Bed and breakfast with a gangster past
-
Pets, like humans, can get better with age
-
Taking a short look at city streets
-
Gaither chronicles history of gospel music industry
-
A heart for animals
-
Covering the bases but not always in order
-
Youth Theatre Camp launches in Alexandria
-
God gives us reasons to wake up each morning
-
Highland Middle School performs the ‘Little Mermaid’
Looking for some musical entertainment this weekend? You could always take a trip under the sea with Highland Middle School.
-
Weekend Calendar: May 17
The Weekend Calendar, as published Friday in The Herald Bulletin:
- More Community Headlines
-
