Solid Cherry Handcrafted Bench
by Dr. Dejan Maksimovic

I've always been tinkering on things since I was a child. I picked up woodworking as a hobby several years ago, but had a unique problem…a ton of logs and no idea what to do with them. When we built our home in Morton, we had to clear several large oak and cherry trees. I hired a local guy with a portable sawmill to help me turn the logs into lumber and the rest is history.

I started small with simple cutting boards, mallets, and have been expanding to desks, tables, benches, wine racks, etc. I typically donate or gift items I build. The act of giving someone a handmade product is pretty satisfying. My wife and I have already half-jokingly planned our retirement gig of having a bakery and woodcraft shop combo.

I built this solid cherry bench for the Morton Community Foundation’s Chair-ity Auction.  Hopefully it will bring some competitive bidding.