As the blue wooden door slowly creaks open, a loud buzz and mechanical whirr become audible. A heavy woodsy smell creeps into your nostrils as you take the final step into the garage where you are transported to a woodworker’s dream. With multiple different saws, tools and wood scraps littered throughout the room, Brian Williams fulfills his hobby of creating unique wooden furniture. 

History teacher Williams had first gotten into woodworking by watching his now father-in-law Jerry Gibbs.

“He took me in his back barn and he showed me some of the stuff,” Brian said. “He said ‘if you want to use any of the tools, here’s how they work. Go ahead and do your thing.’” 

Having zero knowledge of the hobby, he took interest and wanted to see if he could make some interesting projects too. This inspiration from Gibbs sparked the hobby he’d continue on for years.

“Early in our relationship, he was interested in home improvement-type projects,” Gibbs said. “I am delighted he has become a woodworker, he has branched into areas I have not.”  

While tinkering with the tools, Brian sparked a love for the activity. 

“I like the creative side of things,” Brian said. “It gives me something to try that is new and allows me to continue to grow that aspect of me In addition, I love to give things to others!”

He delved into the skill while renovating his house. By the end of the renovation, he made most of his furniture for his fully refurbished house. Although not all his furnishings were a hundred percent made by him, he learned the ropes from redoing, reusing or repurposing premade pieces.  

With his growth and knowledge, Brian’s house is now 80% filled with furniture he has worked on or made from scratch. 

Now, with 12 years of learning under his tool belt, Brian has widened his abilities by watching and working with his Father-in-law Gibbs, watching Youtube videos, and just freestyling in his workshop.

“Brian is not afraid to tackle new projects,” Gibbs said. “I want him to keep trying new projects and methods of work and to learn from his mistakes.”

Of course, one of Brian’s biggest supporters throughout his growth is his wife, Abby Williams. 

“My job is to offer him perspective,” Abby said. “He has the tendency to be hyper-focused on something. Sometimes he just needs to be balanced.” 

Aspects of this hobby can accumulate to a hefty price. Abby also supports Brian with financial grace. 

“She’s very supportive,” Brian said. “ Sometimes if I’m like ‘hey, I’m going to go buy a couple hundred dollars worth of wood’ she’d be like, ‘okay,’ she’s just fine with me because that’s one of the things I enjoy.”

Currently, in the works, is a colossal 100 inch long, 46 inch wide, and 3.5 inch thick dinner table, the 700-pound block of wood is drying, awaiting its makeover into what will be a beautiful addition to the Williams’ household. 

Overall, Brian has learned a lot from his long-time passion. One of the most beneficial things Brian has learned from this hobby is patience. 

“Take a step back and reexamine what you did and be patient,” Brian said “Problems happen and it’s okay that a project is never going to go completely from A to Z without a little misstep here and there.”