Angela Roewe

Kathy Mehrmann knows a good Santa when she sees one.

Common mass-produced Santas sold in big box retailers don't do a thing for her. She, as do most, prefer her holiday decorations be one-of-a-kind, not something you'll stumble upon while visiting a friend or relative's home.

A huge admirer of the holiday season since her childhood, this Swansea resident has always been mesmerized by Santa's many styles. As she aged, she became even more interested on how they are made, and what it took to design them from scratch.

As a long-time, avid reader of the now defunct "Better Homes and Gardens Santa Collection Annual Book," she enthrallingly combed through pages of unique, handcrafted Santa photos and the stories behind their making. Designing and constructing her very own Santa was something she longed to attempt, but finding the time, knowledge, and patience was difficult; that is until two years ago when she took the plunge. She searched for the theme of her first one, buying accessories, clay, wood, hair, and fabric, a how-to video, and went to work.

She was a natural, and decided to begin producing them for others as gifts, as well as for a few craft shows here and there. This eventually led to greater demand for Mehrmann's Santas, so much in fact, that she was recently asked by long-time friend Jeff Bair, owner of Grimm and Gorly Flowers of Belleville, to make some exclusively for sale in his shop. She accepted his request, and now, she has dozens ready - all elegant, unique, and large enough to take center stage in any home's Christmas décor.

Her small operation is named "Santa Clays" mainly because all her handmade Santas' heads, faces, and hands are sculpted from polymer clay, including true-shaped fingers and fingernails.

"Since I have to sculpt each one by hand, I couldn't duplicate one's face even if I tried," she said. "Working with the clay, baking it, etc. guarantees authenticity."

Their beards and hair are made from Gotswold wool from Wisconsin, and their fur-trimmed garments are sewn with love. Although she buys most of the accessories that accompany each Santa, she alters them for originality.

"Some have greenery, others toys," she said. "I made one with a seashell theme for myself because my home is decorated in Floridian style. There are so many different themes that can accompany a Santa, as well as the apparel. It excites me each time I come up with a new idea."

Her husband crafts each wood Santa body, base, and pair of boots in his home workshop, as well any wood accessories or furniture pieces Kathy envisions for her holiday masterpieces.

"He made the skis for him," she said as she points to one. "And this one received a toy table with wooded train courtesy of Wayne."

Bling, glitter, pumpkins, cornucopias, bird nests, birds, toys, eyeglasses, naughty and nice lists, sporting goods, ice skates, and fur-and beaded-trimmed garments are just the tip of the North Pole with Santa Clays. Mehrmann's crafty ideas just keep coming as a labor of love. She even signs and dates them upon completion.

Santa Clays are now available at Grimm and Gorly Flowers at 324 East Main St. in Belleville for approximately $75 and up. Individual pricing varies based on the detailing and amount of work put into each Santa.

For more information, call the floral shop/bakery/boutique at (618) 234-4455.