This box, crafted during high school, showcases a remarkable blend of fine woodworking and precision engineering. The base, made from rich cherry wood, provides a warm, elegant foundation, while the lid is constructed from clear acrylic, offering a modern and transparent contrast. The pin pivot opening mechanism, a refined touch, allows the lid to smoothly pivot open with ease. The seamless integration of the wood and acrylic demonstrates advanced craftsmanship, as the contrasting materials come together flawlessly, reflecting a keen attention to detail and a mastery of both traditional and contemporary techniques. 

This birdhouse features a stunning design with two perfectly cut pentagonal pieces that fit seamlessly atop one another, creating a striking geometric structure. Crafted from durable white oak, the birdhouse showcases exceptional attention to detail, with precise angles and complex geometry defining its form. The intricate cuts and joint work reflect a deep understanding of both woodworking technique and architectural design, ensuring that the angles align flawlessly. The natural grain of the white oak enhances the structure’s elegance, making it both a functional home for birds and a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that demonstrates advanced woodworking skills. 

This set of six wooden forks is crafted from koa wood, which was hand-gathered in Hawaii, adding a unique touch of natural beauty and heritage to each piece. The forks are modern and thin, showcasing a minimalist design that maintains strength and durability for everyday use. Despite their delicate appearance, the forks are carefully shaped to ensure they are robust enough to handle various tasks, blending both aesthetic elegance and functional reliability. These are not just forks, but works of art that reflect both craftsmanship and the spirit of Hawaii. 

This Russian olivewood gumball machine features a precision low-clearance dispensing system, expertly designed for smooth and reliable operation. The unique design incorporates a large ball canning jar atop the machine, serving as the gumball storage container. This gumball machine combines classic design with precision engineering, making it both a functional and decorative statement piece. It can found today in my room full of gumballs.

This small wooden box, crafted from a beautiful combination of cherry, black walnut, Russian olive, and white oak, is not only a functional piece but also a testament to fine craftsmanship. The box features an intricate top slide lid, designed to resemble a checkers board, adding a unique and elegant touch to its practical purpose. Carefully designed for ease of use, it was created to store my grandfather's hearing aids. Seven years later, the box is still in daily use, which speaks to the durability and quality of its construction. The thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship continue to serve its purpose, blending functionality with a timeless beauty that has lasted for years. 

This green Adirondack rocking chair was custom-designed as the centerpiece of the senior year baseball celebration for a senior catcher on the high school team I looked up to. It blends functionality with team spirit, featuring baseballs as armrests and a 3/4 plywood construction for added strength and durability. A hidden bottom compartment was crafted specifically for storing canned beverages, snacks, and IcyHot—perfect for soothing sore arms after a game. Not only was this chair a unique and personalized gift, but it also served as a symbol of the player's legacy, combining comfort, practicality, and team pride in one unforgettable piece. 

This thin yet strong cherry wood headphone stand showcases elegant craftsmanship with a sleek, minimalist design. There is no visible hardware, as the stand was expertly constructed with concealed joints, giving it a seamless, clean look. The balanced design ensures the stand remains stable and does not tip over, even when headphones are placed on it. This headphone stand is a perfect combination of form and function, offering both style and stability. 

This cutting board is crafted from white oak with a black walnut offset stripe, adding a touch of contrast and visual interest. The board also features a meticulously crafted mahogany dovetailed joint handle, showcasing the precision and skill involved in its construction. The combination of these woods—each with its distinct grain and color—creates a harmonious and durable surface, perfect for both cutting and display. The dovetail joints not only provide strength and stability but also demonstrate the craftsmanship behind the handle, making this cutting board both a functional kitchen tool and a beautiful piece of art. 

This honey dipper, crafted from bloodwood on my lathe, features a thin yet elegant design, combining both beauty and practicality. The long handle is specifically designed to prevent honey from getting on your hands, even when reaching deep into the jar for more than you need. The smooth, polished surface of the bloodwood adds a luxurious feel, while the slender form provides precise control for drizzling honey. 

This homemade camp knife features a fixed blade design, crafted with a strong, full tang construction for maximum durability and reliability. The handle is made from African hardwood, chosen for its strength and beautiful grain, providing both a comfortable grip and a touch of elegance. Steel pins securely fasten the handle, while epoxy reinforces the bond. The exposed full tang adds to the knife's ruggedness and balance, making it a dependable tool for outdoor tasks. This camp knife combines functional design with quality materials, resulting in a durable, handcrafted piece that is as practical as it is striking. 

This to-scale wooden Lamborghini is an impressive piece of craftsmanship, meticulously created by cutting out the profile of the car and gluing the slices together. Then I shaped and refined the car by hand, adding intricate details until it closely resembled the real vehicle. Crafted from a combination of cherry and light poplar wood, the contrasting grains enhance the visual appeal of the model. Functional wheels that can spin are a thoughtful addition, bringing a touch of realism to the design. This wooden Lamborghini is not just a model; it’s a true work of art, showcasing skill, patience, and a keen eye for detail. 

This mahogany wooden case for a hand crank music box is a masterpiece of advanced woodworking, crafted using tools such as a 4-axis manual router for precise shaping and detailing. The raw mahogany enhances both the aesthetic and acoustic qualities of the case, with its deep, warm tones contributing to the overall elegance of the design. The box features mini brass hinges that provide a refined, functional touch while maintaining the intricate appearance. The thin walls of the case are thoughtfully designed to enhance sonic amplification, ensuring the music box's sound is clear and resonant. This case is not just a protective shell, but a beautifully crafted component that complements the delicate music mechanism within. 

Over the years, I've crafted a wide variety of fine wooden pens, each one a unique piece that showcases both the diversity of materials and the craftsmanship required to create them. Using an array of woods—from rich cherry and walnut to exotic cocobolo and olive wood—I’ve explored how each material brings its own character, grain pattern, and color to the design. The process demands precision and patience, especially when turning the wood to such thinness that the brass mechanics of the pen are almost visible through the delicate walls. Achieving this level of thinness without sacrificing the strength and durability of the pen requires a careful balance of skill and technique. The wood’s smooth surface, combined with a flawless finish, reveals the intricate beauty of the turning process, where even the slightest imperfection can alter the pen’s functionality or aesthetic. Each pen is a testament to the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into making something both functional and beautiful, and it’s in the refinement of these tiny details that the true artistry of pen turning is found. 

This geometric birdhouse, crafted from white oak and black walnut, showcases a modern and durable design that blends clean, simple geometric shapes with the natural beauty of wood. The structure is composed of angular lines and symmetrical patterns, creating a minimalist aesthetic that emphasizes both form and function. The white oak, with its light, elegant grain, contrasts beautifully with the deep, rich tones of the black walnut, giving the birdhouse a refined yet sturdy appearance. The geometric design not only enhances its visual appeal but also ensures its durability, making it a lasting addition to any outdoor space. This birdhouse is a perfect fusion of modern design principles and the timeless craftsmanship of fine woodworking.