A Lifelong Dialogue with Wood

For me, the act of making has always been a constant. My early years were shaped by the rhythmic lessons of the New Yankee Workshop and the influence of my grandfather, sparking a lifelong fascination with how raw materials can be transformed into something functional and beautiful. For my career, I chose the world of logic and precision, working as a software engineer and in cybersecurity. But while my professional life is lived in "bytes"—in the realm of code, security, and digital architecture—my soul has always been anchored in the physical. The name Turning Bytes** is a reflection of this duality: the intersection of a digital career and a tactile passion.

I remember a single session in a high school shop class, using a lathe for the first time to turn a vase from reclaimed pallet wood. That vase still sits in my mother's home today, a reminder that the simplest materials, when shaped with intention, can last a lifetime. In late 2024, I returned to the lathe. What began as a curiosity quickly evolved into a disciplined pursuit of the craft. By June 2025, I moved beyond pre-cut blanks and began harvesting my own local logs from the forests of Northeast Ohio. This shift allowed me to master the "twice-turned" method—a rigorous process of roughing out pieces and allowing them to dry naturally to ensure maximum stability and minimal cracking.

As my vision grew, so did the scale of my work. I eventually upgraded to a Laguna 2436 lathe, which allows me to transform raw, local timber into large-scale statement pieces up to 24" in diameter. By September 2025, this journey transitioned from a private passion to a public craft, and I began offering my work through a physical retail store in Berea, Ohio.

My Philosophy: Minimalist Intervention

Coming from a background of engineering, I have a deep appreciation for precision, but in the shop, I practice a philosophy of minimalist intervention. I don't always start with a rigid vision; instead, I let the wood dictate the shape. I believe the most beautiful parts of a piece are often the "defects"—the spalted lines, the knots, and the natural scars of the forest. Rather than hiding these characteristics, I celebrate them as the biological fingerprint of the piece. To protect and enhance this natural character, I use only professional-grade finishes. Depending on the piece, I employ the deep, durable glow of Polymerized Tung Oil, the precision of hardwax oils like Rubio and Osmo, or the traditional, organic purity of linseed oil and beeswax.

The Turning Bytes Promise

Every piece I create is a 1-of-1 original. My goal is to source local wood and turn it into a treasured item that brings a piece of the natural world into your home. When you acquire a piece from Turning Bytes, you are receiving more than a vessel; you are receiving a curated piece of nature, finished to endure for generations.