Approximately three years ago, when Mark Anson discovered a pallet of thin sheets of old growth western red cedar in a UBC dumpster, he knew it was too precious to waste. So he took them home and with the help of his family, brain storming around the kitchen table, came up with the Tree Drop design.
The deceptively simple fluid design looks like it might be easy to make but, as any wood worker recognizes, it is quite intricate involving boiling water, a complex series of jigs and clamps, along with a very short time frame when the wood is pliable enough to form the distinctive drop shape. Mark’s dad, Peter, was persuaded to come out of retirement to help with developing the technique for building the garden habitats. It took many hours of consultation and months of trial and error to develop a system.
On seeing the Tree Drops, friends and neighbours, encouraged Peter and Mark to offer them at craft fairs and artisan markets around the Lower Mainland. It was at this point Alice was invited to join the partnership to help with marketing, production and administration. The Tree Drop Feather Beds are now installed at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park where small exotic birds like to nest.
Alice and Peter have been long-time residents of the Sunshine Coast and are keen advocates of nature, gardening, culture and the arts.
