A hobby which appealed to the neighbors 15 years ago, has blossomed into a small neighborhood business. But the business is not the ordinary, where the customer enters, purchases something and walks out. At least that's not the business operated by Cherry Hill residents Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Kuhn, proprietors of the Marlton Plak-Shack.
"The customer comes in and usually asks for a small plaque or something decorative to match Colonial, Mediterranean or Modern furniture," said Kuhn. "But what they find is a solid white casting, very sturdy and durable, made of gypsum composition harder than plaster of Paris that they must finish themselves." The castings range from candleholders to figurines to potters and over 1,000 artifacts are available.
The finishes can be done in dozens of colors ranging from 20 to 40 cents each. Wood tones to antique finishes, bright colors to glitter effects, iridescent hues to solids, smooth or rough finishes are just a few ideas the customer has to work with.
Cost Involved? According to Kuhn, "The least expensive plaque we have is 25 cents and the most expensive is about $9. The customer, using four or five colors to finish the product could spend up to $10 on our largest piece." One of the largest pieces stood over 2 feet high and could be used as a fishbowl, birdbath or flower pot. Most pieces cost $4 or $5, completely finished.
The Kuhns are assisted by two artistically talented men who build molds, shape objects and create the "unfinished" product. Robert Frenzel and Dan Gayder are kept busy creating Kuhn's ideas, who has created thousands of castings over the past years (many on a trial and error basis).
"Once the compostiton is poured into a mold," said Kuhn, "we must wait 45 minutes for drying. We then open the mold, remove the rubber liner which prevents sticking and clean the piece of excess marks, seams, material, etc. We level it as with a horse's head that would eventually be a lampstand, repair any imperfections and dry the product for 48 hours."
The paints are special in that they will not wash off. They consist of a particular substance which adheres to the composition, yet can be refinished many times. Some of the paints are sprayed on, others are brushed on and a few are applied with the finger tips. The entire operation sounds difficult, yet is rather simple.
"We have and will continue to give free demonstrations," stated Kuhn. "Most of the groups are ladies' organizations or woman's clubs that we have demonstrated for but we are willing to help anyone interested in this hobby. The one fault is that it's like a good book - once you start you can't finish".
Mrs. Kuhn noted that many who try to finish a product are amazed how easy it is. "People come in and purchase something and don't understand how simple it is to get the beautiful effects - that's what happened to me when I started many years ago in our basement."
The store does not cater to any particular clientele. Youngsters, oldsters and both sexes have found interesting and unusual items in the Plak-Shack. Don't go unless you're interested in purchasing something you can finish. And don't ask to buy one of the finished products in the window or on the walls - the Kuhns are willing to show the customer how easy it is to attain the same beautiful finishes they attained over the past 15 years.
