"Beyond the Grain: A Craftsman's Love for Curly Maple"
For nearly 25 years, I've been blessed to work for a locally owned, family-run business that cuts and supplies curly maple wood for some of the biggest guitar companies in the country. Every day, I glue up bookmatched curly maple guitar tops—a job that’s more than just work to me, it’s a passion. The process of splitting a piece of wood, opening it up, and revealing the mirrored, symmetrical grain and curl is a truly beautiful experience. Over time, this natural beauty inspired me to start creating my own pieces, like cutting boards, charcuterie boards, and small tables, which allow me to showcase the striking patterns and textures of the wood in new ways. The art of working with curly maple involves much more than just aligning the grain and curl, it’s about respecting and highlighting the unique character of each piece. The joy and love of crafting these custom items and seeing others appreciate the wood's beauty beyond the world of guitars has been incredibly rewarding. For me, it's not just a job, it's a privilege and blessing to work with such a remarkable material, and I’m grateful every day to handle and share these one-of-a-kind pieces.
