Everything starts from a wooden square, but with an engineer’s eye for design and lots of patience, those squares soon become one-of-a-kind handcrafted wooden bowls, nested jewelry boxes, vases and other objects. These lovingly created items are the work of Tucker’s Texas Turnings, owned by John Tucker.
Tucker, formerly an engineer, began turning wood as a way to engage his mind and while away the time after his retirement. Now almost five years later, he says he is selling his pieces at the Grapevine Farmers and Artisan Market faster than he can make them. Though he said it’s nice to make a profit, Tucker notes that he keeps his prices reasonable so that he can continue to fuel his passion.
“Buying wood can get expensive,” Tucker said. “So, when I am selling at the market, I charge just enough so that people will buy my creations, and I can afford to buy more wood.”
In addition to selling work he has already made, Tucker also takes on custom work. He has made everything from a custom Cocobolo bowl and a cherry vase to laminated salad and serving bowl sets and custom-sized tortilla warmers.
Tucker said that he enjoys all the objects he turns, but he especially likes making his nested jewelry boxes because they are more complex, and that complexity appeals to him.
“I turned the top of the jewelry box with what looks like an eye on the walnut handle,” Tucker says. “ I made it so that it will ‘keep an eye’ on your jewelry.”
To learn more about Tucker’s Texas Turnings or to request custom work, visit him on Saturdays at the Farmers and Artisans Market near the Town Square Gazebo or online at TuckersTexasTurnings.com.
