JCCFS: Tell us more about your upcoming weekend music class, “Cutting Boards for the Holidays ” from December 5-8. It’s for all levels, correct?

SR: I want my students to feel comfortable around the machines so that when they leave they will be able to confidently use the equipment to try other projects. We will go through all the safety procedures on all the equipment that we will be using. We will talk about the woods we use and why we use these particular woods. We will prepare the wood for glue up and then get the satisfaction of watching the glue squeeze out when we tighten the clamps. When the glue dries and we take the clamps off, we will start the sanding process which can be quiet medatative. When the sanding is done, we get to watch the magic of the wood “popping” when we put the oil on. There will be lots of oohs and aahs. When we have finished this board, we will take a live edge board, strip the bark off and cut a unique handle in the end. Then we will sand and oil and we will hear the oohs and aahs again. Students will be proud to take their boards home and use with pride.

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave with? 

SR: I was petrified of some of the tools when I first started woodworking. After taking some classes, I learned not to fear but to respect the tools. That’s what I want to teach my students. I want the students to feel confident enough to try this again. I want them to become avid woodworkers. Any class I’m in whether I’m an instructor, an assistant or a student, there will be lots of laughs. I want everyone to have a good time. I want everyone to love John C Campbell Folk School like I do.

JCCFS: Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

SR: I love anything to do with wood. I am always amazed at how the wood looks when a tree is cut. It is just so beautiful. And then I love to take the beautiful wood and make beautiful objects from it. I love it when people get together and create. I love when they bounce ideas off each other and magic happens.

JCCFS: What is your favorite aspect of the John C. Campbell Folk School?

SR: My favorite part of the folk school is the staff. I have come to love many of them. I love teaching whatever I can. I love the studios that’ve I had the pleasure of being in. I love that I feel comfortable at the folk school.

JCCFS: What’s something you’ve made recently that you’re proud of, and why?

SR: We cut down a small walnut tree on our farm many years ago. I had someone come with a sawmill and cut it for me and it has dried all this time. I didn’t want to make just anything with it, it had to be special. I started making charcuterie boards for my family from this wood. It is live edge. Now my family can enjoy these
charcuterie boards for two reasons. It is from the farm they have lived all their lives on and it’s something their mama made. I love to make things to make people happy.

JCCFS: What tips would you give an aspiring student or craftsperson? Anything you wish you knew earlier in your career?

SR: The only tip I can give to a student or aspiring craftsperson is to just try what you’ve been scared to try. You don’t have to do this to please anyone but yourself. Have fun. Enjoy the process.

JCCFS: Anything else we should know about you, your class, or your practice?

SR: Safety first, fun second. Make. Create.