Winter 2024

The magic is in that block of wood and sooner or later, I’ll find it.” Bud Rogers
Doll furniture. "The girls would need bunk beds for their dolls, or
a tiny fireplace, or a table and chairs. They kept me busy with their
little projects.”
When he retired from the paper mill, Bud finally had more time
to devote to woodworking. He looked for a way to use the small
scraps of wood scattered around the shop. One day an article and
photos in a woodworking magazine gave Bud an idea. He would
make ornaments.
He began experimenting by creating wooden shapes and painting
them. “It was a long process, using different colors of paint and
waiting on one coat to dry before I could apply the next one. Then
I decided if I used different types of woods, the colors and designs
would just come naturally from the wood.”
So, Bud glued several pieces of wood together, put it in the lathe,
and that is how it all began.
The tried-and-true process takes a couple of days to complete.
First, Bud selects the wood - both domestic and exotic woods species
- with an assortment of colors and grain patterns. Next, he glues
the small pieces of varying thicknesses into a solid block of wood
that will fit into his lathe.
“I like to find woods with unusual or contrasting colors and
grains,” Bud explains, “The domestic woods like pine, oak, walnut,
cedar, and maple are relatively easy to obtain, but for the more
exotic woods like mahogany, purple heart, and others, I have to get
from specialty shops.”
Here, the artisan's imagination takes over. Spinning the wooden
block on his Delta lathe, Bud uses a variety of hand-held chisels to
transform a block wood into a decorative ornament, a miniature
Christmas tree, a wine stopper, a fan pulls or some other creation
that magically takes shape in his hand.
Finishing is the last step. Some pieces are left natural, so the
grain can be seen; others are stained or even painted and lightly
sanded. All are sprayed with a clear coat of high-gloss lacquer and
sent to quality control.
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EAST ALABAMA LIVING