Unique puppet factory in Steinbach is stringing together success across the globe

North Stream Creations, a Steinbach-based puppet factory, is pulling the strings of success in all corners of the world.

Kara Nordstrom and her husband, Curtis, have built an empire from their passion, creating one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted puppets.

“Last year our numbers were around 450 puppets and if you think about it that’s about a puppet and a little bit every day,” said Curtis.

“It brings the child back into you, you feel so alive,” said Kara.

What started as a hobby for Kara, quickly evolved into a business.

“I wanted to make puppets, and I ended up ripping one up and created this little guy,” said Kara.

Her first attempts, though filled with charm, were far from perfect, and it was only a mix of Curtis’s encouragement and skills as a cartoonist that encouraged her to keep going.

“He took a picture of it and posted it on Facebook and said that is wonderful look what my wife made me its my character in puppet form, and he was so proud and that gave me my start,” said Kara.

The duo has expanded their small operation to ship hundreds of puppets across North America and beyond, including destinations as far as Australia. While originally intended for children, Kara and Curtis soon discovered their market was primarily adults, especially those interested in customized look-a-like puppets.

“Someone send me a picture, gives me their eye colour hair colour, then I do it up for them,” said Kara.

Curtis hopes their business can keep the craft alive, as  shows like the Muppets created the initial demand.

“We do feel like puppets in general are a dying industry, so we want to revitalize it, so we want to not only sell puppets to people, but by performing for people,” said Curtis.

The couple says they have performed dozens of shows in person and are purchasing a stuffing machine to speed up the production process.