I have very few of the things that I have made still in my possession today.  For one thing, most of my real creative stuff happened when I worked as a Machinist, customers have long since put those parts into service.  When I discovered that machining was an expression or art form I realized that I had some creative talents.  I began to combine my skills as a machinist and explore other possibilities for metal.  I have always been the outdoors type, so my interests were directed at Knife making.
In 1987, my father, brother Dan and me went to Italy.  In Northern Italy, near where my father is from, there is a city which makes knives.  I bought several that trip.  Much later, my house was broken into and the thieves took the large hunter that I had bought in Italy.  When I went to replace it, I could not find anything that I liked.
That is how I got started making knives.  I bought an old 4" wide belt grinder used for Glass and modified it for my needs. Then I went at it.
I still have my first Knife that I made.  I have used it a lot, and it has held up well to my abuse.  I must say, it looks impressive.  The blade measures 10 x 2" x 3/16" thick.  The overall length is 151/2".  When strapped to your waist it is an impressive piece, a real guy's knife.  I used O1 tool steel for the blade and heat treated it to 56 Rockwell C.  The problem is that O1 tool steel can rust, so when I leave it in my tool box the high polish oxidizes.
The handle is made from Lignium Vitae (Iron Wood).  I had a piece of it at Johnny's Machine Shop.  We used to use this Iron Wood for Stern bearings in boats.  It is a beautiful hard wood, but I think that it is too oily.  It sure does polish nice.  The bolster and fittings are brass.
 

I made the leather sheath so that I could carry the knife around in the bush with me.   I cut the leather and sewed the pieces together.  The knife and the sheath both turned out well.  I was inspired to make more.
My second knife was a scaled down version of the first one.  I gave that one away so I don't have a picture of it.
By this stage, I was researching the different metals that were used in making knives.  I ordered some D2 tool steel because the high Chrome content made it rust resistant.  I made several Kitchen knives with the D2.
The long slender knife has a handle made from Wenge wood.  The larger chef's knife has and African Rosewood handle.  Both knives have the same design.  They have Nickel Silver Bolsters and fittings.
I have two of those knives left.  I use them in my kitchen.

I really am grateful to Randy Schultz.  Randy went above and beyond my expectations as a teacher.  He is an inspiration to me, his generosity will never be forgotten.  When ever I look at my table, I am reminded of Randy.
My second project during that course was a lamp.  I was inspired by another student's work that I wanted to make a lamp myself.  I decided that laminating several woods between maple would give a nice contrast.  I made the lamp out of Maple, Purple Heart and Padouk.  I glued up the pieces and turned them on the wood lathe.  With a few tricks that Randy had told me, I concentrated on accentuating the different colors of the woods with contours.  I like how it turned out.  But I really have not found a shade that I like, so the Lamp is Still in Progress.
 

What is Next??
I hope that I can get back into some creative ventures.  I am planning to incorporate a jewelry program at my school. I have been learning the trade by osmosis. I have developed the ability to make molds for high production of wax models of jewelry. .