Victoria’s Read

While growing up in Hillsburgh, Elsie Beaulne learned the fine art of working with her hands from her parents. “My father was a furniture frame builder and my mother was a welder in the war.” Elsie soon realized that she too was a hands-on kind of girl and departed out on a career as a hairdresser.                                                        

 During a chance meeting at her neighbors place, Elsie was led to North Bay. “My neighbor was the sister-in-law to my now husband, Terry.” Elsie began visiting Terry in North Bay where their relationship progressed nicely. “We have three children and have been happily married now for twenty-three years.”                             

 Elsie never felt confident in her work as a hairdresser and enrolled in a career planning course where she decided to try her hand at wood-working. “Part of the course criteria was to fulfill a two week placement. I simply opened the phonebook closed my eyes and pointed to a business. It was Bonells Upholstery. Bonells loved Elsie’s workmanship and hired her under the apprenticeship program. “I stayed there for 20 years before I got up the nerve to open my own business.”                    

Elsie’s Upholstery was conceived three years ago and the family ran business is doing very well. Elsie strongly believes in recycling and doing quality workmanship. “I love turning a piece of furniture from old and ugly into something new and beautiful. I use only high quality products and begin repairing a piece at its frame.”                                                                                          

 Elsie balances her work and family life by spending her weekends with her family, tending to her gardens, playing with her pets, bird-watching or camping and fishing. “I also love to paint scenery and flowers with water colours and acrylics.                         

Elsie gives back to her community by donating her toss pillows to Leisure World for their fundraisers.                    

Elsie would like to take this opportunity to deeply thank Bonnie Bonell for everything that she has done and continues to do for Elsie and her business.