The woodwork of Ron Kinel of Elba Township can be found at Past Tense in Mayfield Township. Photo by MIKE MERCIER

A retired mechanic, Kinel is used to tinkering in his workshop to produce pieces of woodwork he mostly shares with his three grown daughters. He is a mostly self-taught artisan who has been doing woodworking for the last 30 years who learned from his father-in-law, Francis Moore.

"I cut a tree down and I have a little portable band mill," Kinel said. "The wood has to dry out. I make furniture, boxes, and bowls. The kids get most of it."

Kinel said he enjoys creating pieces and doing his woodworking that he needs a lathe for.

"I've been making stuff for the kids and sell it at Past Tense. It's a hobby I enjoy," he said. "I like making bowls."

Wood Kinel uses comes from Michigan and the area.

"I like oak because it's a hard wood," he said. "I got maple, pine, cherry. I (sometimes) cut trees down for people here and there."

Kinel recently made a solid oak crib for his new baby grandson.

The woodworking continues.

"I go in my workshop and am making oak flooring for my living room. I'm cutting them to size," he said.

"It's stress relieving."

Kinel's wife, Sara, works with him on the woodworking pieces. She does painting and finishing of pieces. She said his most recent creations have included a nightstand and fishtank stand.

"I paint them and stain them with mineral oil in case people want to put food in them," she said. "I like doing it and decorating the house with it. It's fun and relaxing."

The Kinels' work can be seen at Past Tense, 1965 Farnsworth in Mayfield Township.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.