Christmas markets fall victim to the pandemic.
But the "Isner crib maker" Peter Eckl has an alternative.
He exhibits his works at home and also sells them there.
Isen
- If there was no pandemic, Astrid and Peter Eckl would currently be selling their self-made cribs on the Christmas markets in the region.
Since this is currently not possible, the "Isner crib builder", as Peter Eckl calls himself, has found an alternative: You can visit him at home in Isen and see the cribs in his showroom by prior arrangement.
The Eckls actually wanted to be in Wasserburg with their stand on all four Advent weekends.
They have already been to the popular Christmas market several times and have found numerous regular customers.
They were also a few times at the Isen Nikolausmarkt.
“Nothing came of the pre-Christmas market in Ebersberg and the Christmas market in the Ziegenmeierei this year,” says Astrid Eckl, who supports her husband with the markets.
That is why they came up with a hygiene concept with person restrictions, disinfectants and a mask requirement and prepared the showroom in their family home.
Around 60 nativity scenes as well as countless figures, animals and accessories - from bundles of brushwood to a toilet with a heart carved in the door - can be viewed and bought on site.
“We have a wide range of nurseries and therefore have something for every taste,” says Astrid Eckl.
It starts with the characters.
In addition to those made of polyresin, a synthetic resin, and plastic, Peter Eckl also has handcrafted wooden figures in his range.
"You turn to plastic when you have small children or pets at home, because these figures are not offensive to a fall," says the "Isner crib maker".
If you like it more natural, you can choose the untreated figures made of linden wood.
In addition, Peter Eckl also offers spare parts, such as transformers and replacement lamps.
His wife describes the cribs as a “doll's house for adults”.
Once you've got a fascination for the biblical miniature world, you won't let go of it anytime soon.
So that the nativity scene can stay standing all year round, Eckls also has flowers and figures such as the discharge farmers on the bench.
Astrid Eckl calls it “summer crib”.
Peter Eckl started building cribs in 2010 through a friend.
He helped him with his work for a few weeks - then took over the business, including tools and materials.
He produces his alpine and oriental-inspired nativity scenes in small series of ten pieces.
It takes ten to twelve hours for a stable to be ready.
"Because a lot of people enjoy furnishing, we only make many cribs with a green base plate," the couple explains.
The crib owners can then design paths, moss, trees or stones to suit their own taste.
Of course, Eckl also offers ready-made sets including figures, but also makes sure that the price remains affordable.
“We have the ambition that anyone who is looking for something unusual will find it with us,” say Astrid and Peter Eckl.
And that everyone feels welcome, regardless of whether they are just looking for a figure, a spare part or a new crib.
Anne Huber
On the Internet
the cribs can be found at isner-krippenbauer.de.
If you want to visit the exhibition, you can register by phone (01 70) 8 95 43 10 or by e-mail at info@isner-krippenbauer.de.