I learned to use a lathe in 7th grade in shop class. After retiring, I struggled to find something to do. I finally returned to woodworking and woodturning as a way to relieve my PTSD developed in the military. I love being able to take raw wood or pieces of epoxy and turn them into functional pieces of art that people can use every day. I design pens, wine bottle stoppers, and other items, with no rules regarding shapes and allowing the beauty of the wood to tell me where to go with it.