AKRON, Ohio - Bill Coldwell's love of woodworking started in Mr. Vinciguerra's shop class when he was a junior high student in Cuyahoga Falls in the 1960s.

Decades later, following an unexpected retirement, Coldwell found himself with ample time to get back into turning wood.

"I've just rediscovered this new fondness I've had for wood turning in the last 3-4 years," Coldwell said.

Coldwell has channeled his fondness for turning wood into a business aptly named Handcrafted by WD Coldwell. His works include turned bowls, candlesticks, containers with fitted lids and seasonally, miniature pine trees and ornaments. He makes his works at his home workshop in Cuyahoga Falls, and sells them in the Made in Akron section of the Northside Marketplace, which offers shelf space for lease.

"The Northside Marketplace is a cool concept. I really enjoy the place. It's really becoming a mini-hub in downtown Akron," Coldwell said.

Coldwell's works come from trees that have fallen down or been taken down, many in local metro parks.

"I don't seek out particular trees, I just use whatever happens to be available," he said.

While Coldwell enjoys making different types of works, his real passion is making bowls.

"I think they display the beauty and the quality of the woods a lot better than something elongated," he said. "Bowls are more functional (than other works) and display the true character of the wood."

To make his bowls, Coldwell starts out with a log, which he cuts in half. The natural shape of the log dictates the curve of the bowl. He turns the outside first to get the basic shape of the bowl, then he reverses the piece of wood in the lathe to hollow out the inside of the bowl.

Coldwell uses green wood to make bowls, since it's easier to cut. But each bowl needs to dry for approximately 4-8 months before it can be finished. Recently, Coldwell has started using a microwave to speed up the drying process. By microwaving a piece in short increments, he can dry a bowl in one evening.

Coldwell didn't intend on having a small business, when he got back into woodworking, but he admits it's been fun.

"I've turned a hobby that I dearly love into something other people can enjoy," he said. "I try to tell a little story about each piece of work, where the wood originated from and when it was procured."

Each piece features the "Handcrafted by WD Coldwell" stamp on the bottom.

Shoppers can find Coldwell's goods for sale in the Made in Akron section of the Northside Marketplace, 21 Furnace St., Akron. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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