"And I shall fill him with the spirit of God in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in every kind of craftsmanship ... and in working of wood to make products of every kind." Exodus 31:3-5

I'd like to also encourage you to give my blog and catalog a visit. You will find links to the blog and catalog near the bottom of each page in the web site. But since you are buying the handmade work of just one man, it's only fair that I introduce myself.

A couple of years ago I learned that an indefinable 'something' that had plagued me since childhood had a name. It's called ADD / ADHD and I am one of those people who never grew out of it. I'm fifty-five years old now and last September I left roughly my 20^th job since high school.

I've always been good at everything I've done. I walk in the door, I learn the occupation, I get reliably good at it and then either the company 'downsizes', closes completely, or my attendance goes to the dogs and I get fired. At times, I have simply walked away, incensed at an injustice or enticed by the next sparkly thing to learn. I don't deal well with artificial ceilings or with people who either can't or won't teach me the next steps. I'm not a politician and have never cared for currying favor ... it's revulsive, like petting a mucus membrane. I am content to let my work speak for me.

I am betting, without being certain of either the stakes or the outcome, that a combination of creative writing challenges, marriage to an amazing woman (my 4th), an (unpaid but very satisfying) ministry and the opportunity to explore my artistic self through the very wide range of forms that woodworking can take will capture my attention long enough for me to live out my latter days in honor and dignity. I might reasonably expect to have another 20 years left in this life. At most, I only have to look 20 years out.

Think “Phoenix” and resurrection and redemption, as I do, or the whole of the above is going to look like a downward spiral leading into some black pit of unfathomable depression. But that is not where it leads at all.

Look into the catalog and you are going to see some really nice pieces. All of my work is 'one of a kind' and individually photographed. Most often, my wife takes the photos and writes up the product descriptions. Almost always, no matter who took the picture, we can't show you how beautiful the piece is.

My own favorite pieces are those that are translucent or where the grain just has a natural shimmer that I have been able to accent and draw out through the design choices and the finishing techniques I have used. There are just as many artistic decisions made after the piece is 'finished' as there are before. Once you are holding your first pen from me, you will realize what I am talking about. Most of my customers have bought at least twice in the past year.

In the end, I hope to have a bowl that someone will show others. Or a pen that attracts comment. Or a centerpiece for a wedding reception that will draw envy and a 'where did she get that'? And then I hope for more inspiration. Maybe it's time to turn another piece. Maybe it's time to write an entry in the blog. Maybe it's just time to spend a few hours with my wife and friends and let the world whizz by for an afternoon. Without me.

Thanks for reading so far. I promised you a couple links as a reward for spending a few minutes getting to know me before considering my work. If you are interested in getting to know me better, then Life Shavings (Blog) is where you'll want to go next. If you just want to look at my work and, perhaps, purchase a piece, then a quick click on this link (Shopping Cart)and you are on your way.

Random Food for Thought