Lakey

Hey everybody. I've been a visual artist for most of my life and recently turned to woodworking to fulfill a lifelong dream. My father was a woodworker and my happiest memories are of watching him create amazing works with nothing but a Sears radial arm saw, a saber saw, and a few hand tools. No jointer, no planer, no drill press.

I took a leap of faith a couple of years ago, quit my job as a non-profit administrator, and enrolled in the 12-Week Intensive program at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (CFC) in Rockport, Maine. Best move I ever made. www.woodschool.org

At the moment I am ekeing out a living - if you can call it that - making burial urns for people and pets out of recycled lumber. I run a home for orphaned boards and cut-offs. The only lumber I pay for is sheet goods and 2x4s. (Should I insert my address here in case anyone is about to burn something? Ha.) I work out of my home in a smallish basement shop - I actually like working in a smaller space - it forces me to be organized.

Most recently I went back to CFC as a "Studio Fellow," meaning I get free shop space and the joy of the company of other makers. I tackled an interesting project - took a piano destined for landfill and made a piano bench from the wood and hardware. I will be posting pictures soon - it's a little unconventional, to say the least. Along with my love for wood is a love for old hardware, so I like to incorporate metal in my work, too.

I'm currently updating my web site and will be launching into trying to market my work.

Aside from woodworking, the joy in my life comes in the form of two fabulous Welsh Cardigan Corgis and a kind and devoted man named Dorn. He puts up with a lot, as do all of our spouses.

Happy to be here at Lumberjocks getting to know a great community of fellow makers!

-- "No Board Left Behind"