I am a self taught woodturner and hobbyist beekeeper based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. All my woodturning materials are sourced from downed trees via storms, disease, or age. No trees are cut down for turning. Instead, each piece begins with salvaged wood, offering both sustainability and local character.

My hive sits at the back of a wooded acre that borders an orchard. Out front, a micro prairie provides foraging for the bees. While they can stay close to home, they also have access to a rich range of natural food sources, including a 300-acre nature reserve called Veteran Acres.

Both disciplines involve an element of unpredictability. Whether it’s the mystery inside a spalted log or the temperament of a hive, both practices demand observation, responsiveness, and care. Nature drives the process, I just help guide the outcome.

If you’re interested in a hollow form vessel or a jar of honey, feel free to reach out!