Our Craft Creation Process

Most of the items are turned on a lathe. Others (cutting boards and clocks) are all prepared in my shop too, but not on a lathe. They are all-natural woods with no preservatives added except for the finish. Mostly, they are predominately native to Indiana and usually within a 100-mile radius of Indianapolis. I prefer the hardwoods as they are highly regarded for their coloring, grain pattern, feathering, mineral streaks, and other markings. Some that I look for are: Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Ash, Oak, and Osage Orange. 95% of the wood I get is already on the ground. When working with the individual piece, it is "talking" to me and telling me basically how and what can be done to it regarding size, shape, etc. Because each piece is unique with these individual characteristics, it is extraordinary to see it "come alive" in the latter stages of the process. Two rules all woodturners observe: Never grow attached to what you are turning, and don't tell anyone what it is until you are completely done. The wood can change even as you are working with it. It is the love and respect for the timber and Mother Nature's gift she has made available that inspires me to make the best of it. Respect the wood.