After beginning my career in computer science, I've spent the last 20 years as a full-time professional woodworker, specializing in reclaimed wood tables, mantels, and countertops. Each piece of salvaged timber—old oak floor joists, hand hewn beams, and forgotten fence posts—carries its own history, and I've built my practice on giving these materials a second life while preserving their unique character. Recently, I discovered power carving wood vessels, opening an entirely new relationship with my craft. This technique allows me to work intimately with smaller, unique pieces of reclaimed wood, revealing their hidden beauty through careful removal of material. The process is both meditative and revelatory. My approach has always been about collaboration with the material itself. I seek out special pieces of wood, drawn to their distinctive grain patterns, cracks, and color variations. Rather than imposing a predetermined vision, I help each piece speak, allowing its inherent qualities to guide the creative process. While I've focused primarily on flower vases in my vessel work, cremation urns are becoming a growing part of my portfolio. These pieces carry profound responsibility—they become vessels not just of wood, but of memory and love. It's deeply meaningful work that combines technical skill with reverence. Whether crafting a dining table for generations of family gatherings or turning a vessel to hold fresh blooms or precious remains, I remain committed to celebrating the beauty of reclaimed wood and the stories it has to tell.