Gary Fjeld, McDonough resident and member of the Woodworkers Guild of Georgia, recently participated in the 3rd Annual Atlanta Woodworking Showcase hosted by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware that took place from September 13-28.
Fjeld won an award for his 3D CNC Carved Fruit Bowl that took him over 15 hours to create.
“I really liked the uniqueness of the pattern,” said Fjeld. “It is something totally different from anything else.”
Made with walnut, cherry, and maple wood, the fruit bowl has different colored shading effects that make the bowl look 3D to the distanced observer.
Photo by Erin Lopez
“It starts out like a sandwich, either cherry-maple-cherry or other combinations and the pieces are shaved down and glued together,” said Fjeld. “It looks like a tumbling block pattern.”
Following the sandwiching and gluing of the pieces, the wood slab is cut out on a computerized router, a CNC machine for 3D woodcutting, to make a bowl shape.
Fjeld also participated in the showcase last year, winning an award for a 3D cutting board he submitted of similar design.
“I like to show some unique things that I have done that I have not seen anyone else do,” said Fjeld.
He is no stranger to woodworking, as he has been in the woodworking business, or I should say hobby, for over 40 years.
“Growing up, I had no experience in woodworking,” said Fjeld. “I took a class back in the 70’s and it all evolved from there.”
A primarily self-taught woodworker, Fjeld has created many pieces of furniture for his family over the years, to include dressers, desks, and nightstands.
“When my kids turned 16 years old, I made them cedar chests,” said Fjeld. “I even made wedding gifts for my children. I made two entertainment sets and a china hutch.”
He also built cribs and bookcases for his two grandchildren.
“I buy all my wood rough. It is fascinating to run it through the planar and see the gain, texture, and markings in the wood after it is done,” said Fjeld.
Fjeld is also an avid woodworking magazine collector. He has amassed an impressive collection of Better Homes & Gardens Wood Magazine, accumulating every issue from the magazine’s inception in the 1980’s.
“I’m retired, so it’s a hobby that gives me something to do and it keeps me busy,” said Fjeld.
