Attendees of the The Loft on Main’s “Artist Spotlight on Woodworkers” discovered numerous creative decisions local artists make, in order to transform tree products into useful and decorative art. The Sunday, June 22, 2025, program began at 1:00 p.m. Inside 112 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL, two front windows, a large display case, and shelves around the first floor offered a variety of artfully-crafted, wooden items.
Each talented craftsman shared his use of materials, design features, and techniques. Shown left-to-right holding one of their pieces are Lloyd Beckman, Jeff DeGroot, Everett Pannier, Dennis Aldrich, and Ed Hammelman.
Door prize winners received a DeGroot multi-wood cutting board and a Hammelman chip-carved tissue box cover.
DENNIS ALDRICH–Aldrich began Aldrich Construction in Sterling, IL, but he is now retired. He has been a wood worker for three years. For his grandson he made a mallet, to form a pocket in his baseball mitt. He uses reclaimed wood to make bowls that are turned; cuts down trees for some purposes; purchases specialty woods in Woodstock, IL. “For three or four months [I] have been doing square, footed, quarter bowls,” using a miter for cuts and dark brown stain. “It takes three-to-five hours to make a bowl.” Hammelman and DeGroot discussed their techniques. Beckman added, “You can never get done sanding! Wait 30 days” after using polyurethane sealant, “and the fumes will be gone.” Aldrich usually uses a clear finish, not stain. “I try to put color in the [bowls] with the kind of wood I use.”
LLOYD BECKMAN–Beckman has done woodwork all his life. In 2000, he retired after 35 years from Sterling Wire Mill. When considering where to sell his turned wood items, he found that the Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA, would charge 55% commission. “The Loft charges 15%.” Beginning with a small block of wood, he discussed his technique to create small birdhouses. They can be hung or stand alone as decorative objects. “I made two tools to fit the lathe and drill out the hole. Each birdhouse probably takes eight hours.” Pannier commented, “Lloyd is one of the best wood carvers, [according to] anyone you ask!”
JEFF DEGROOT–DeGroot gained experience by making models with his hands. “I did a lot of refinishing and fixing furniture; I made a lot of display boxes for toys.” He continues to make furniture for his family. “Four years ago I started making nightstands of oak and walnut.” He crafts clock cases; thumb drums; a turtle step-stool that converts to a child’s seat; an M & M dispenser. Multi-wood, pieced, cutting boards must be stacked and glued and put on a lathe for shaping. An intricate, layered bowl contained a circular band of pieced wood figures. “It takes a lot of time to do segmented bowls! Your angles have to be really precise; you don’t want gaps” between the pieces. He showed a bowl made from a solid piece of wood. “Every one is unique; you get what the wood gives you.”
ED HAMMELMAN–Hammelman was 17 or 18 when he began wood work. He makes boxes, “six at a time, because it goes faster, using planed wood 3/8 and 1/4 inch thick.” Hammelman selects butternut and bass wood for carved pieces and sycamore or anything [else] for the sides. “Shadows and the look of the wood make my pieces [attractive].” I use a table saw mostly. I must match the sides and lid to fit the base (sometimes footed.) It takes three pieces to make the lid and “may take two days; I have to wait for [glue] drying.” Boxes range from 3″, 4″, and 5″ squares; 4″x6″; 5″x8″ sizes. “They’re very functional. What makes my work sell is my carving–75-to-80 percent of my lids have chip carving. It takes a couple hours to carve a 4″ square lid. I use a knife mostly and am always looking for new designs.” He markets his boxes at Sterling, and Rock Falls, IL, shows and competes in a chip carving show.
EVERETT PANNIER–Pannier started his woodworking career as a Junior at Morrison High School. “I made Mom a bookcase. The first cedar chest was made for [his fiance, Nancy]; it is still in my basement.” After retirement in 2003, he built a shop. “I’ve got a lot of tools! They include a pretty good chop saw, to get perfect 45° angles; router; drill press; table saw.” He does “not do a lot of turning.” His popular, standing “crosses tell a story, using three woods. I make the nails, too.” Mark and Jean Zinnen brought their Pannier-made, intricate, 60-piece jewelry chest for display. He had combined walnut, cherry, maple, oak, and zebra wood. He estimated “maybe 40 hours” to make it and displayed all the required pieces for another chest. “I buy good felt to line the [drawers,” he added. He uses a wipe-on polyurethane finish. Pannier stated, “I like to make little things.” For sale are a round, lidded bowl; a wood and glass vase holder; a candle holder with three glass holders on a wood base; a cross.