I grew up with access to several power tools, and would play around with them from time to time. I somehow managed to keep all toes and fingers intact. When I finally got my own house, I needed to get something to help fill up the basement, so piecing together a workshop was a logical choice.

The pen on the left is made from Ipe. When I got my lathe, the only scrap wood I had around was Ipe - from a set of swings I made for my nephews - and some pine. I didn't think a pine pen would be interesting, so I used Ipe since it would at least have some nice color. The other pen is made from box elder and was a birthday present for a friend.

The candle holders and bottle stoppers were made from a maple tree that had died in my neighbor's yard. The color of the wood turned out pretty well.