By Chris
Brownlee
Phone: 972-831-9476
10513 N. MacArthur #2025 Irving, Tx 75063
Years of experience: 15
I began displaying villages at age seven. At age 15 I was allowed to join a collectors club, which up until that time and since, had not allowed anyone under the age of 18 to join. There was reluctance to allow me to join the club until some of the founding members toured my display. After that there was no need to debate further. The by-laws of the club were voted on and changed by the members to allow me into the club. I was then promptly featured on the front page of the club newsletter and subsequently featured in a total of four newsletters. The club is very prominent and has members all over the country. It has hosted the Texas Roundup, a statewide collectors gathering. Every year for many years the open house featuring my displays have attracted hundreds. I have been credited in our club with many breakthrough ideas and techniques. These include a lake, featured in one of the, the idea of putting the North Pole inside a cave, using free-moving wheels of a D56 truck to create "slush" in the roadways and the idea to allow people to be "inside" the display. These are just a few of the ideas I have used in my displays. If I have a downfall with the displaying of villages it is that I just can not bring myself to stop until the display is as close to perfect as it can possibly get. I DO NOT do second rate work. I have done displays of all sizes, from a small, one building coffee table display, to a full, 18x20 ft. room with over a hundred buildings. My crowning achievement thus far is a North Pole display. It engulfed a room approx. 12x14 ft. As I said I began the idea of putting the North Pole in a cave. I revolutionized the concept by turning an entire room into a cave. This allowed people to enter the cave and view the display from a perspective of being "inside" the display. Complete with hanging icicle lights and rounded corners, large hanging snowflakes and a display that stood five feet from the ground. It was complete with three large levels and was constructed using only one-inch thick sheets of Styrofoam. The best part of all, is that it could be torn down with no residual effects. Over the years I have exponentially expanded the size and complexity of my villages. I work well with the prospect of a looming deadline as I have, on many occasions had to have the displays completely finished for our annual open house. I am dedicated to the art and work of village displays. Observers of the displays often note my attention to detail. In the future I plan to continue with the things that have gotten me where I am today. I believe in trying things that are not the status quo, things that others may not have thought about and if they have they were to intimidated to try to make it happen. I already have ideas for the next BIG thing that will blow peoples minds. I can and will custom design villages that will make people remember my name.
References 1. Ruth Buerkle, Phone number 210-824-1949 2. Bob Peterson, former owner of Natures Christmas, a Gold key dealer for D56. Phone number 210-622-0865 3. Peggy Chappell, Owner NOEL Christmas Store, Phone number 972-991-8481 4. James Coker, Manager NOEL Christmas Store, Phone number 214-870-2397 5. Terry Blankenship Phone number 972-980-2906 6. Barbara Weber