Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug

He isn’t Santa Claus, but retired Osoyoos resident Lee Whitehead is busy these days in his home workshop creating unique and exquisite dollhouses; and some local children just might have that on their wish lists for Christmas.

“I made dollhouses for my daughter when she was young, and again when she had three daughters of her own. I made quite a number of them,” says Whitehead. In fact, when he and his wife moved from Vancouver to Osoyoos 28 years ago, one of the first things Whitehead did was build a large woodworking shop, where he made brand new furniture for their home; as well as for his son and daughter and their families.

He has also made many gifts for Osoyoos friends over the ensuing years, such as the impressive tall mirror on wheels that stands in the Boutique De Sonia store on Main Street here.

This former professor of English says he is not a well-trained woodworker, but you wouldn’t guess that by his quality work. “I have always made things from wood but as a hobby only,” says Whitehead.

Earlier this year, Whitehead’s daughter asked him to make a dollhouse for his oldest granddaughter Kymera. He came up with a simple yet play-friendly style of house, using bits and pieces of wood of various kinds left over from his many projects over the years. “I was particularly fascinated by the possibilities of decking cedar. But I use pine, oak, mahogany, maple, beech, etc.”

Since his wife passed away last year, Whitehead has found himself with more time to pursue woodmaking, but it does involve a considerable expense. “So I thought if I could sell some dollhouses, I could recoup my shop costs and even give some to charity,” he explains.

In fact, at the recent Cactus Ridge holiday craft fair in Osoyoos, Whitehead sold one of his homemade dollhouses for the first time, as well as about eight of his wooden cars and trucks. “It was quite exhilarating!” he says. He has since sold two additional dollhouses, and donated another one for a local charity auction.

Whitehead thinks he would be open to doing custom work upon request; although unlike Santa’s elves, he tends to work slowly.

“I am not very good with deadlines,” he says.

So, if you know a youngster who has a one-of-a-kind ‘old-fashioned’ dollhouse on their Christmas wish list; or just as a special gift during the year, Whitehead’s dollhouses can be seen at Boutique De Sonia.

Or feel free to contact Whitehead directly at his ‘Santa’s workshop’ at 250-495-7687.

Source:  Okanagan Sun Magazine