When hazy, humid summers roll in, a peaceful atmosphere falls over McHenry County. School is out, kids spend their days running through sprinklers and slurping up slushies, and teachers may spend their days working second jobs until the school year rears its head yet again.

During the long, warm days, Kris Grabner, a math teacher at Huntley High School, spends his days carefully crafting necklaces and ball markers to sell during the year.

All golfers, when out on the course, use small objects to mark their balls when they land on the putting green. This is to ensure that whoever they are golfing with will not accidentally hit their ball when putting and receive a penalty. Most golfers use flimsy, thin, plastic discs or coins for this purpose.

About a year and a half ago, Grabner wanted something different.

After talking with his family and coming up with ideas at Christmas two years ago, he experimented one day using a piece of metal to create a customized ball marker.

Eventually, he began to experiment with the idea of having magnetic ball markers as well. A magnetic disc with a design would then clip into a second magnet on his golf hat, which would guarantee that he would never lose his handiwork.

Gone were the days of digging through golf bags for something to mark his ball.

Grabner knew that his idea could be successful, so he began to create multiple ball markers and add a unique design to each one. After letting them dry overnight, he would carefully paint a layer of clear coating over every individual marker, which would again need to dry overnight.

“The clear coat is the difficult part,” said Grabner. “If little bubbles form, then the markers are ruined.”

Grabner’s ideas began to expand. He knew that female golfers needed ball markers too, and at his sister’s suggestion, began to create magnetic necklaces that would also serve as storage cradles for his ball markers. He also began to embellish his ball markers even more, adding rhinestones and glitter.

“I started off where I was just going to try and give them sparkle, and I found a process that makes it pretty easy,” said Grabner.

Grabner’s wife, Julie, helped him select stylish patterns and designs that she knew women would like, which he would again and again carefully apply to the small metal plates.

“She picks out patterns for me, and helps get some creative ideas going,” said Grabner. “Thank God I’ve got my wife because I don’t think I’d be able to do it without her.”

Even women who were not golfers began to show interest in the creations. Instead of being used to mark a ball, the individual magnets could be switched out to create an interchangeable necklace.

The original ball markers he made were all different sizes, but after feedback from golfers, he decided that making smaller ball markers was the way to go. He also streamlined his process and used a large hole-punch to create the adhesive magnets in consistent sizes.

When creating the ball markers, he might make 75 to 100 in a batch. When creating a batch this size, it takes him about four hours to punch out the adhesive magnets and adhere anything onto them. They then must dry overnight before Grabner can cover them with a clear coat, which takes another three to four hours. The clear coat must also dry overnight.

“I’ve probably made 400 or 500 of the original ball markers, and 500 or 600 of the necklaces,” said Grabner.

Grabner finds most of the time to create them during the summer, because during the school year he teaches math and coaches soccer.

“I’m a late-night person and I usually work on them in the summer when the rest of my family has gone to sleep,” said Grabner.

Grabner buys the magnets in bulk from the internet. This can be difficult because availability, quality, and size of the objects fluctuate. Sometimes, pieces must be shipped from overseas and take a while to arrive in America.

Creating the necklaces also requires experimentation. Grabner once bought high-powered magnets, and when he brought them within 6 inches of the metal plate, it flew right out of his hand and cracked the other magnet in half.

Grabner sells his creations at golf courses, including Pinecrest Golf Course and Black Stone Golf Course, and is planning on expanding his business to the internet as well.

“I’d like to get four or five more golf courses to sell them, if they sell well on eBay,” said Grabner.

Grabner himself uses a skull ball marker, which he describes as his favorite creation.

“I don’t know what it is about it [that makes me like it], but it’s white so it shows up well on the green,” said Grabner. “It’s brought me luck.”

His greatest satisfaction, however, is seeing other golfers carrying and using his ball markers. He often plays at Pinecrest Golf Course, where they are sold, and has donated some ball markers to be used as prizes in fundraisers and auctions at the course.

“It’s nice to see that there’s an interest in them and to help charities,” said Grabner. “It’s something I was able to create, and I’m very proud of that.”