Cross
through the weathered archway, the patio of
retired Rock Island Railroad ties and beyond
the suspended porch swing to the enchanting
home of Bud and Pat Hanzlick. The door opens
almost before the knock: every visitor is warmly
welcomed into the unassuming headquarters of
internationally known Bekan Rustic Furniture.
And
it all started with a complaint.
Bud
Hanzlick has been creating his one-of-a-kind
masterpieces for more than 20 years, ever since
his wife, Pat, complained about constantly chasing
after their plastic furniture tossed by the
ever-present Kansas breezes.
"Can't
you make me furniture that won't blow away in
this wind?"
Bud
made his first three benches out of Hedge-wood,
or Osage Orange, because it is the second-heaviest
wood native to North America with a dry weight
ranging 45-60 lbs per cubic foot. That's heavy.
The
benches are made with an exposed-tendon method
where no screws or nails are necessary—or
wanted. Dowels extend from each segment to hold
the furniture together along with waterproof
glue. This time-consuming method is not widely
used in the furniture industry today.
After
confidently placing the new chairs on his patio
and convincing his wife that they would remain,
Bud believed he was finished. However, an admiring
friend wrote an article about his unique carpentry
and Bud's rustic creations quickly received
attention from national magazines and newspapers.
People
from all over the country came to see "what
was happening in a basement in Belleville."
"It's
been lots of fun and interesting. I really enjoy
it," Bud said.
In
fact, the knocks on the Hanzlick's door have
come at gray hours of the early morning and
the dark of the night. The Hanzlick gladly host
tours, but prefer doing them during the day.
The Hanzlicks have shipped furniture all over
the nation including California, Colorado and
Florida.
Bud's works were featured in Robert Redford's
Sundance Catalogue and are currently featured
in several log-home publications.
Zoo
goers both at Tulsa Zoo and Sedgwick County
Zoo frequently relax on Bud's unique benches.
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has even been
pictured enjoying a bench Bud specially made
for a reception.
Bekan
Rustic Furniture is based in Republic County
in North Central Kansas. In fact the name Bekan
is actually based on the name "Belleville."
For
more information or a brochure, contact the
Hanzlicks at (785) 527-2427