Our ears perk up to the rumble of lawn mowers, shrieks of children as they splash in the pool and the happy chirping of birds. These are the sounds of summer.
Looking outside, a multitude of birds collects in gardens or in birdbaths and bird feeders. Thanks to Phil Kopczynski, these sights are frequent for friends and neighbors of McHenry County. Del Webb Sun City in Huntley residents Kopczynski and his wife Annette have been constructing birdhouses as a hobby for nearly a decade.
An Idea is Born
On a visit to a Geneva, Ill., antique shop, the couple discovered birdhouses made with barn wood and old license plates. The design inspired Phil to take a stab at producing something similar.
From there, he fell in love with the idea of creating something others could enjoy. While Phil constructs the houses, Annette works carefully to paint them with three coats in order to enhance the colors’ impact.
All the work the Kopczynskis put into the birdhouses is evident through the precisely-cut wood and fine details seen on each house. “I get enjoyment out of making them as perfect as I can,” Phil said. “I build them with high quality.”
For as long as the pair can remember, they have always had a tendency to adopt various crafts. A more recent project Annette has taken on is crocheting purses and handbags out of plastic grocery bags. She says the best part is not only that she was already familiar with crocheting, but that she is “able to use free, recycled material instead of buying yarn.”
The unique idea came from a woman at a support group for loved ones with Parkinson’s disease.
An Act of Determination
Behind the hours Phil spends on his birdhouses, he suffers from Parkinson’s disease, a disorder caused by the deterioration of the central nervous system.
"Having Parkinson’s and being able to do stuff like that is good therapy,” he asserted.
Constructing the birdhouses is not always easy. Annette shared how sometimes the flawless quality is unachievable due to the symptoms of Parkinson’s, including possible shaking while Phil is trying to cut the wood.
Other times it is battling the elements, as inclement weather causes a chilly garage where his workstation and materials are set up.
But no matter what, having something to take his mind off his condition is always beneficial.
“It keeps you mentally alert and makes you feel good,” Annette said. “Life is hard enough with illnesses and financial problems, so it’s always good to have a hobby.”
A Tedious Knack
Phil’s avian abodes are achieved by meticulously piecing together every detail.
For about 10 hours at a time, Phil cuts and assembles wood, and Annette paints the finished product with various colors according to different themes. The most common method they use is precutting wood so as to increase the amount of birdhouses they are able to produce at once. Typically the couple makes about eight to 10 with the prepared materials.
Because of the extended amount of time spent to perfect individual houses, it is common for the Kopczynskis to make about 10 per month.
Aside from waiting for the paint to dry, Annette’s least favorite part is sanding the houses. “It has to be done really good so the paint sticks,” she explained.
Phil credits his brother Ted, a carpenter, whom he said taught him most of the skills he uses to complete each house.
The color scheme is determined according to specific themes. Ideas come from an array of sources, whether it is by word of mouth from neighbors, events occurring in the couples’ lives, the available license plates, or various accents the pair discovers at stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts or Michaels. Each of the components is then paired up to match in some way.
From nautical themes to camping, American flags on the Fourth of July or schoolhouses in September, Phil does not shy away from a challenging concept. When Annette was diagnosed with breast cancer, he thought up the idea for an “awareness house” complete with pink ribbons. One of his neighbors is a fireman, so he used that as inspiration to create a mini firehouse out of a birdhouse.
A few years back, when his son would help him, Phil would actually produce birdhouses in the shape of objects such as postal trucks and school buses — wheels included. With his son no longer nearby, he prefers to keep it simple and less time-consuming.
Phil said he thoroughly enjoys taking requests and has often duplicated his work so as to share the wealth and experience.
A Friendly Encounter
Most of the pieces Phil throws himself into are given as gifts or donated to local raffles as prizes. Many of his neighbors now feature at least one birdhouse in their yard, making the neighborhood a colorful place.
“It always works out nice at Christmastime and other holidays because people appreciate things that are handmade more than those bought at a store,” he said.
When neighbors tell Phil that within an hour of hanging their birdhouse, they have new wildlife to observe, he is truly satisfied.
“I get excitement out of people having them for five years and telling me they’re still in good shape,” he said.
In the future, Phil and Annette look to continue with their special gift. The fact that they can still receive enjoyment out of the hobby after nearly 10 years goes to show how the project not only brightens their own lives, but also those of the people around them.
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