Meet Mike Weber and Jen Funk Weber. We are Funk & Weber Designs.

In 1991, Mike and I began new careers as winter caretakers in Alaska. Remote lodges that operate in the summer often hire caretakers during the winter to be a presence and watch over lodge facilities and equipment. (No, I’ve never seen The Shining; I don’t like scary movies.) Most winters found us snuggled into tiny, but toasty cabins accessible by bush planes (or dog sleds or snowmachines if one were truly determined). We played pioneers, having no electricity, running water, telephone, mail service, or neighbors, unless you count the moose, martens, and magpies. We’ve relished the opportunity to explore remote corners of Alaska from Bristol Bay to the Arctic.

Work for caretakers varies. Sometimes we shoveled snow--from airplane wings and cabin roofs--and sometimes we gathered wood. Boggy tundra can prevent wood gathering during the spring, summer, and fall, but in the winter the ground freezes, and we hauled wood on sleds behind snowmachines. We were even weather observers one winter, transmitting coded weather information 11 times every day to the National Weather Service to assist small planes flying in the vicinity.

Perhaps the biggest job, however, was simply being there and taking care of ourselves. Medical help was a long way off, as were restaurants, grocery stores, or theaters. Supplies we purchased in September had to get us through until May--food, books, and craft supplies included. Planning was essential. Daily chores take longer under those primitive conditions. To bathe, for instance, meant hauling water, chopping wood to heat the sauna, heating the sauna and water, and then, well, bathing. And to have a sandwich, we first had to bake the bread. (Okay, we could have frozen store bread as we froze everything else; we just chose to bake fresh bread.) But even so, we had time on our hands as there was no sitting around watching TV at night or going bowling or visiting with friends.

We filled our time with hobbies: woodworking, writing, guitar-playing, skiing, photography, snowshoeing, reading, and--here it is!--STITCHING. In fact, the #1 activity of choice for all our years of caretaking was a combination of reading and stitching. Mike read aloud while I stitched. This continues to be a choice activity for us, and I suspect it always will be, although now we call it “work.” During our winter on the Stony River I created a cross stitch design from one of Mike’s photos of Denali (AKA Mt. McKinley--the highest mountain in North America). I did it for fun with no plan beyond creating the stitched piece. Mike was so impressed (and surprised, I hate to admit) he charted a photo of a Dall sheep ram. And that was it--we were hooked by the challenge and the endless possibilities. Next, Mike began to design a sampler of nature, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Then there were more animals, a toy shelf, tropical fish, and here we are! Our finished designs debut at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer where they’ve received the highest accolades. We’re not sure what comes next, but whatever it is, you’ll find out about it here first.

Publishing our designs and turning them into a business is our current adventure. We’re learning as we go--learning from our mistakes and learning from the advice of more experienced business people. We appreciate your interest in our company and our designs, and we welcome your comments and suggestions. Please browse our Web site and let us know if we can assist you in any way.

Thank you.

Jen

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Mike and Jen Funk Weber Funk & Weber Designs 35232 W Pinochle Trail Sutton, AK 99674 (907) 746-5641 mail@funkandweber.com