“I started lathing later in life,” said Jack Carlos, the central Carlos in Carlos Family Woodworks. “We were doing medical mission work in Africa around 25 years ago when I picked up woodworking as a hobby. That’s also when I was diagnosed with the neurological disease that would send me back home to Richfield."
“I was fortunate to have found a hobby I could continue doing, even if I can no longer handle larger pieces. I soon settled into a good rhythm of creating bowls and flower vases, and then mushrooms at the recommendation of my daughter Hannah, who is a potter and far more creatively gifted than I am.”
Hannah was also the first to suggest that Jack begin selling his work (no doubt hoping to prevent his burial under an avalanche of decorative wooden mushrooms). Jack insisted that no one would want his wood goods, but Hannah never stopped pushing him to set up shop at a downtown Christmas market. The matter was settled as soon as Cathy, Jack’s wife, joined their daughter’s cause.
“Three years later, and they’re still the brains behind the operation,” said Jack. “My son Raymond also helps, such as when we go and collect fallen trees together. Every piece I turn is made of salvaged wood, by the way. No trees were harmed in the making of these bowls.”
No dogs were harmed, either. Zara, Jack’s service dog, hangs out outside his shop while he’s working; her long, delicate snoot being too precious to fill up with sawdust.
“But whenever I drop something – which is often, because my hands are shakiest when I’m doing ornate work – Zara comes running to grab it for me,” added Jack. “It’s a testament to those powerful retriever genes, and to the wonderful training she received from Helping Paws.”
Follow @carlos.family.woodworks on Instagram. Email woodenstuff6583@gmail.com to purchase a piece.