Winter 2024

“Julia inspects every ornament, looking
for imperfections,” Bud says grinning, “and
sometimes, I have to take one back to the
shop and fix it.”
The holiday season is a busy time for
sales, but Bud explains production must
begin months in advance. He prefers to
work when the temperatures are more
comfortable. This allows him to use his
lathe on the deck of his workshop, and to
hang the ornaments to dry in the South
Alabama breeze.
“I try to make four or five a day so that I
don’t get behind,” Bud explains.
While the handcrafted ornaments began
as gifts for friends and family, Bud’s creations
have gained notoriety all over the
country. Black Belt Treasures in Camden,
Ala. proudly displays Bud’s work and
has promoted him as a favorite artist.
Additionally, he has a standing order with
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland Store in
Frankenmuth, Mich.
“We visited Bronner’s on vacation several
years ago. I got to speak with their
buyer and show them a sample. Before I
knew it, I had an order for 1200 ornaments.
I told Julia we had to go home. I had work to
do,” Bud laughs.
Bronner’s continues to be one of his biggest
customers.
“I have regular customers in Colorado,
Tennessee and Texas,” Bud says proudly.
“I also traditionally have a booth at the
Auburn Holiday Market.”
When asked what his biggest challenge
is in making the ornaments, Bud quickly
replies, “finding the right wood.”
Fortunately, he routinely receives calls
from people in the area and across the state
offering scraps of wood that would otherwise
be burned or thrown away.
“I am always appreciative when someone
calls and says they have some wood. I have
gotten several exotic pieces from donations,
and they made beautiful ornaments.”
Bud says he looks back at the first ornaments
he made and is proud of how he has
improved his technique over the years.
“I just want them to keep getting better
and better, so I keep playing with designs
and the colors and shapes. Like I said
before, the magic is in that block of wood
and sooner or later, I’ll find it.”
Bud can be reached at 251-246-2383, budswoodencreations@gmail.com,
and more items can be
viewed at https://budswoodencreations.wixsite.
com/my-site
100 EAST ALABAMA LIVING