Bill Housley began his career as an orthodontist, and spent decades as a cosmetic dentist. On the side, he began woodworking as a hobby, forty years later and now that's his main profession. After retiring from being an orthodontist, Bill began to study turning, a woodworking technique- specifically the Rose Engine lathe. This machine was popular in the 1800's, but due to the cost and complex design, only the most royal people used it.
Luckily for Bill, a machinist from Pennsylvania was able replicate the Rose Engine lathe of 1800s England but for a much lower cost. Bill Housley is the only person in Maine to own one of these neat machines. What the Rose Engine lathe does is carve away at the sides of the wood while it's spinning, resulting it different designs and patterns depending on what the woodworker does. Due to its versatile nature, Bill tries to make as many unique pieces as he can. He creates everyone from fine cheese knives and forks, to decorated urns and detailed wooden bowls. Stop by Harvest Gold Gallery to check Bill's work our for yourself.