Bead ornaments adorn Ewert's tree
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Arpa Ewert of Hillsboro has been making dazzling beaded ornaments for years.
The artificial Christmas tree in her living room is covered with hundreds of them in many designs and colors. Strings of beads drape over the branches. The little white lights on the tree make the beads sparkle.
Some ornaments were made from patterns, others were created from pictures. Beads of various sizes are strung together using string, dental floss, or wire.
The 85-year-old woman said she and a neighbor lady started making bead ornaments together years ago. The neighbor is gone but Arpa carries on. Every year, she makes more, and often shares them with relatives.
Many other decorative bead items adorn the room, including a miniature tea set, angels, and flowers.
She said she has made more than 1,000 pieces.
Arpa grew up on a farm north of Hillsboro. She moved to town in 1967, after her brother Albert died.
She worked at the Ben Franklin dime store for almost 27 years. For the past 11 years, she has worked as a housekeeper at Barkman Honey Co., now Golden Heritage Foods.
Every summer, she and a friend like to go fishing, but when winter comes, Arpa once again gets busy fashioning new ornaments out of her large stash of beads.
"I have to have something to do," she said, "and I enjoy it."
