John Fisher: As the Wood Turns

As a child growing up in Livermore, John Fisher would accompany his father Dennis to the garage, where the woodworking tools were kept. Amid the sawdust, drills, and tins of wood varnish, the younger Fisher absorbed knowledge of the craft while helping his dad glue together cabinets and other projects.

The experience sparked an interest in woodworking that would remain steady over the years. When Fisher moved into his own condo, he set up a small shop where he refinished furniture.

In 1999, Fisher moved his family to a house with a three-car garage in Tracy, giving him more room to expand his burgeoning hobby. Poring through woodworking magazines, he fashioned speaker cabinets, made his daughters Anna and Sadie their own beds and writing desks, and built other furniture for their home. With the help of YouTube videos, he taught himself the art of woodturning, using a lathe to shape salt and pepper grinders, wine stoppers, and larger salad bowls, using green wood from fallen trees.  Read More...