Dennis Beckman has always been a talented designer and collector. But even those born with the talent and “the touch” will agree — a little luck now and then never hurts.
While running his San Francisco shop, The Enchanted Crystal, Beckman stumbled upon the Mardi Gras mask-making business. “When I was visiting Paris one year, someone told me about these amazing antique silk flowers,” says Beckman.
“I bought them all to showcase with some jewelry. A bride came into the store one day and said she wanted to wear them in her hair for her wedding. She asked if I could put them into a comb and add crystals and pearls. I said ‘sure.’’
After the bride’s request that day, Beckman started making bridal headpieces.
“I made thousands of oneof- a-kind headpieces,” says Beckman. “One day, one of my brides said she really wanted to walk down the aisle and surprise everyone by wearing a mask.”
“I made her an elaborate mask to go with her gown.
She was a celebrity after that. Everyone loved it. Her friends were all asking me to make them one.” In addition to the masks, Beckman designs Mardi Gras wreaths, pens, and crowns for Mardi Gras Kings and Queens around the area. All his ideas for the elaborate mask and crown designs come from his travels.
He loves to travel. Always has.
Originally from Shreveport, Beckman ran the San Francisco shop for 42 years after a military assignment brought him to the West Coast.
“My military assignment was very unique,” says Beckman. “They sent me to San Francisco with a whole civilian group to review major core projects. It was also the beginning of the environmental revolution.”
Beckman went on to develop what became the National Environmental Policy Act.
“The law says any federal actions have to review the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project,” says Beckman. “I developed the whole concept.
Then I went to Washington, D.C., and they made it into law.”
With a Master of Environmental Design degree from LSU, Beckman then worked on designing a park in Hawaii and one outside of Las Vegas. He also worked on the redesign of a Florida sanctuary.
When Beckman opened The Enchanted Crystal, he was the first guy in America to begin importing the world-renowned Swarovski crystals.
“I happened to meet the Belgium and Austrian representatives of Swarovski crystals,” says Beckman. “They had mentioned to me how they started making paperweights and decorative pieces.”
Beckman told them he was interested and became the inaugural American Swarovski crystal importer.
You can check out Dennis’s masks at his sister Debra’s shop, Enchanted Garden, on Line Avenue in Shreveport.
“People will come into my sister’s shop all the time and tell her, ‘I’ve been to your brother’s shop,” says Beckman.
Creativity and talent run deep in the Beckman household. Dennis’ son, Stefan Beckman, is a renowned designer of sets, fashion shows, and exhibitions.
So, where does Stefan’s dad get his elaborate ideas from?
“Everyone asks me that,” says Beckman. “My ideas come from traveling. I have been to 30 countries. I am inspired by exotic costumes worn by dancers. I also have very vivid dreams.”
Dennis Beckman, the man, is even more inspiring than his masks. He has been battling stage 4 cancer, but he continues to create throughout.
“I traveled to Greece even while being treated,” says Beckman. “You can’t hold me down.”
Stop by Enchanted Garden this Mardi Gras season. Dennis will be excited to show you around. His masks are one-of-a-kind, and the man behind them is, too.
