Lathe turning started in high school for Eric Willyerd when he took a 1960’s wood shop class. However it had to take a back seat while he went to school, had a career and raised a family.. Thirty years later toward the end of Eric’s career with the Hayward Parks department he purchased a used lathe and started turning again.

Eric gets wood from trees destined for the land fill due to age and condition. Old trees are the most interesting to him because that is where the burls, irregular grain and voids are found. The natural beauty he sees in the wood comes from inside the tree under the bark, exposing the grain, texture and tone found only in wood.

Eric has been turning for about 20 years now and he continues to enjoy the experience. He also enjoys collecting the wood, such as driftwood that can make the most interesting pieces, each time he is amazed at the beauty he finds inside.