Behind the Lathe

Who is Big Man Little Lathe?

Welcome to Big Man Little Lathe! I'm Brian, the 7-foot-tall maker behind this creative woodworking adventure. Picture a mix of professional expertise and a sprinkle of lightheartedness—I'm here to craft some wooden wonders and have a good laugh along the way.

Back in the day, I was rocking the basketball court in college (or sitting the bench handing out the cups of water during the time out…depends on who you ask). But once my basketball career came to an end, I found myself in need of a new passion. I stumbled upon a YouTube video of a guy turning a bowl from colored pencils. It was then when the thought struck me, "I bet I could do that, dad has a little lathe lying around..."

And just like that, the creative spark was ignited. Bowl after bowl, flower vase after flower vase, I dove headfirst into this newfound woodworking world. I discovered a knack for transforming found wood into one-of-a-kind pieces. I scoured roadsides and ventured into the woods, finding raw materials that held stories within their grains.

One day, someone looked at my work and asked, "How much do you sell these for?" That's when the lightbulb moment hit me—I realized people were willing to pay for these works of art! So I did what any self-respecting artisan would do—I opened up shop on Etsy and unleashed my woodworking upon the world.

Now, let's talk about the name—Big Man Little Lathe. I sought the perfect name for my shop, I wanted something that truly represented who I am and had a catchy ring to it. Inspiration struck when I merged Big Man, symbolizing my towering stature, with Little Lathe, a humble nod to the small pen lathe that has witnessed me turning everything but pens and shown me a world of creativity.

Through this little lathe, a world of creativity unfurled before me, igniting a true passion for creating. What started with bowls and vases soon expanded into experimenting with resins, learning new woodworking techniques, and exploring other crafts that seamlessly intertwine with my woodworking. Each piece I create becomes an opportunity to learn and grow my skills.

While running a business is a part of my journey, my true focus lies in fostering creative energy and collaborating with my clients. Together, we'll merge our imaginations and bring your wildest ideas to life within my workshop. Expect laughter, fun, and a touch of quirky creativity along the way.

I've locked my sights on transforming Big Man Little Lathe into my full-time gig because there's nothing I'd love more than turning my passion into a daily reality. Creating every single day is the dream I've been chasing, and now, I'm piecing together my passions, creativity, and years of hard-earned (By making lots of mistakes) knowledge to take Big Man Little Lathe to new heights.

Join me on this incredible journey by following @bigmanlittlelathe on Instagram, where we push the boundaries of creativity, where laughter echoes through the workshop, and where the joy of bringing imagination to life is cherished.

Welcome to Big Man Little Lathe, where my creations are inspired by your imagination.