Couple's craft business still going after two decades
By KALEY LYON
Like many other homes one week before Christmas, Tim and Rita Legleiter's house was adorned with all things evergreen.
Unlike other homes, however, the creative couple makes most of their decorations from scratch.
"It keeps me busy," Rita Legleiter said. "I like designing stuff and making things."
The family launched their own craft business, Humble Beginnings, nearly two decades ago.
All of their creations are designed from recycled materials like fence post, wood scraps or old screen doors.
Now an art teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School and Felten Middle School, Rita Legleiter started the business so she could stay at home with their three children when they were young.
Their kids are older now, and Riana, Krissy and Zach often travel with their parents to various arts and crafts shows, where they help with sales.
The family went to five different shows this year, including attractions in Wichita and Hillsboro.
Their shed has been transformed into a workshop, and the couple usually spends time there on weekends.
It truly is a team effort, Rita Legleiter said -- they design the merchandise, her husband cuts the wood and they work together for the painting and finishing touches, she said.
Most of their decorations are seasonally themed, so the family has a large line of fall decorations, as well as Christmas.
A hand-made Nativity scene garners their front porch, and a lighted Santa Claus in the living room are only a few of the family's holiday favorites.
The fall line, including leaves and pumpkins, is her favorite to work on, Legleiter said.
When the business first started, the family wouldn't have guessed it would still be going strong 20 years later.
"I figured I would have run out of ideas by now," Legleiter said with a laugh. "And I told Tim, I said as soon as I run out of ideas we are done."
And it doesn't seem like that's going to happen anytime too soon. She's already got a whole new set of fall merchandise planned for next year, she said.
Over the past several years, the business has picked up many loyal customers. In fact, the family has had people knock on their door to buy a Legleiter creation right off their front porch, she said.
In between seasonal activities, the couple will be working on special order items, and refurnishing items purchased in the past.
One order came from a man who needed an update for a piece he bought about 14 years ago, Legleiter said.
"It's kind of cool when people have your stuff that long," she said.