The Mothers of Christmas 

Apple Country Woodcrafters’ women members make the decorative difference
BRUSH WITH GREATNESS
Judy Nicholson, in blue, is the head honcho of the Apple Country Woodcrafters’ embellishment group, whose job is to add color and panache to handcrafted wooden toys. At 87, Barbara Green designs puzzles and fuels the group with coffee and banter.
Photo by Rachel Pressley

Judy Nicholson is an unlikely elf. 

A retired mechanical engineer, Nicholson never studied under Santa’s tutelage, nor has she ever lived anywhere remotely close to the North Pole. But she does know how to breathe life into a toy. 

“Often, a wooden tugboat will look nicer with a black smokestack and blue streak down the side. Or, an airplane will shine with some stars on the tail,” she explains. “The little touches make all the difference.”

Photo by Rachel Pressley

Nicholson is a member of Apple Country Woodcrafters, a Hendersonville-based group of professional and hobbyist woodworkers that gathers to fashion puzzles, rattles, treasure boxes, necklaces, trucks, wagons, and other low-tech playthings. Each December, these handmade toys are distributed to social-services agencies and later gifted to local kids in need.

Last year, the woodcrafting group donated more than 2,700 toys, many of which were painted, engraved, or otherwise adorned by Nicholson.

Apple Country Woodcrafters make and give away thousands of toys each year. The embellishment group infuses personality into all these low-tech playthings. 
Photo by Rachel Pressley

As the self-described “head honcho” of the Embellishing Group, Nicholson oversees all the finishing touches. When, say, a car comes off the production line, Nicholson will sand it smooth, paint the wheels black, and maybe add a decal or two. 

Photo by Rachel Pressley

This all can be quite tedious, especially when there are 100 wooden jalopies awaiting adornment. Luckily, Nicholson isn’t doing it all alone. 

Every Monday morning, she’s joined by a team of fellow elves. About six members strong, this niche subgroup is made up entirely of women — an anomaly in the male-dominated sphere of woodworking. 

Photo by Rachel Pressley

According to member Ro Falco, decorative work is appealing because it makes the toys more exciting for kids. “We are only limited by our own imaginations,” says Falco, who recently finished a dozen hobby horses with wool manes. She’s also piloting a new toy: a rubber-band-driven paddle boat. “I need to make sure it actually floats,” she notes with amusement.

It’s not unusual for members of the Embellishing Group to create trinkets from start to finish. Barbara Green, for instance, is well versed in power tools and has designed intricate snake puzzles. She is also known to carve and wood-burn. 

Photo by Rachel Pressley

“I do a little bit of everything,” says Green. At 87 years old, she is the Embellishment Group’s wild card — a quick-witted volunteer who keeps everyone in line and well-caffeinated. “Rumor has it, I make the best cup of Joe,” she laughs. 

Though the women may come for Green’s coffee, they stay for the children. 

Nicholson uses her skills as a retired mechanical engineer.
Photo by Rachel Pressley

Nicholson recounts an anecdote she heard from the director of a local agency. One Christmas not too long ago, a teenager received a jewelry box from Apple Country Woodcrafters. Inside, there was a necklace made from wood beads. 

“She was so excited because she had never owned a piece of jewelry,” says Nicholson. “It almost brought me to tears. It reminded me that the work we’re doing is meaningful. It’s important.”

Apple Country Woodcrafters, Hendersonville. The Toy Distribution Party happens Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the local Elks Lodge at 9am. For membership inquiries and more information, call 828-707-0598, see applecountrywoodcrafters.org, or find “Apple Country Woodcrafters” on Facebook.   

0 replies on “The Mothers of Christmas ”