Today we’d like to introduce you to Angus (Trey) Nichols, III.
Hi Angus (Trey), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up watching my dad work on industrial metal lathes, and while I didn’t know it at the time, those moments left a lasting impression. During COVID, like many people, I was looking for something to do while stuck at home. My kids surprised me with a wood lathe, and from the first time I used it, I felt both a spark of creativity and a deep connection to my dad.
I discovered that I preferred working with wood as a medium. I began with pens and bottle stoppers, then quickly moved on to bowls, vases, and other pieces. What I love most is the element of surprise, when you start turning, you never really know what a piece of wood will reveal. I may begin with a picture in my head, but the grain, knots, or unexpected patterns often take me in a completely different direction. That’s the magic of woodturning: it’s creative, challenging, and for me, it’s also a way to let go of everything else and just be fully in the moment.
Early on, I gave most of my pieces as gifts, which brought me a lot of joy. I especially enjoy working with reclaimed wood or pieces that carry a personal story. One of the most meaningful projects I’ve done was for a customer who had lost a tree to an ice storm, a tree they had planted 20 years earlier. I was able to turn parts of it into pens and bowls, giving them a way to keep that memory alive. That kind of work is powerful and deeply rewarding.
Another deeply personal project came from my own family’s farm. I found some cedar fence posts that were well over 100 years old. The wood had begun to degrade, but I wanted to create something lasting from them. Using dyed epoxy resin to bind the fragile wood, I was able to turn them into unique heirlooms that I gave as Christmas gifts to my family. My dad was born on that property, which made the pieces even more meaningful. Creating something so personal and enduring out of material that might otherwise have been lost was an incredibly rewarding experience.
With my kids’ encouragement, I began selling online, first through Etsy and eventually through my own website. Now I also sell at craft shows and am exploring wholesale opportunities. What started as a way to pass the time has grown into something much bigger, a passion, a connection to my dad, and a way to create pieces that hold meaning for others.
]
If readers have wood that carries special meaning and would like to turn it into a unique, one-of-a-kind piece, I would love to help. You can reach me at angus.nichols@urbantektonsdesigns.com
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the early days, I struggled to picture what the finished piece would look like, which often slowed down my progress. Over time, I learned to let the wood itself guide the creative process. It’s common to uncover flaws or surprises as layers are removed, and I had to shift my mindset, from seeing those flaws as setbacks to viewing them as opportunities. Instead of starting over, I began working with the wood’s natural character, finding creative solutions. Many of the pieces that once felt like challenges have turned out to be some of my favorites.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Woodworking has awakened my inner artistic voice in a way I had not expected. I always admired people who could draw or sing and often felt a little envious of their natural talent. Through working with wood, I’ve discovered my own creative path. Each piece challenges me to envision its potential while also listening to what the wood itself has to say. In many ways, the wood is the true artist, I simply help reveal the beauty that’s already there, waiting to be seen.
I create handcrafted, wood-turned pieces, everything from pens and bottle stoppers to bowls, vases, and custom projects made from meaningful or reclaimed wood. I specialize in transforming sentimental materials into one-of-a-kind items, and I’m especially proud of the pieces that carry a story and allow me and others to hold onto cherished memories.
It’s hard for me to say what sets me apart, because I don’t know everyone else’s journey and it wouldn’t feel fair to speculate. What I can share is what guides me: integrity, customer service, and a deep passion for the craft. I don’t try to force the wood into a predetermined shape. I let its natural character lead the way. Grain, knots, and imperfections aren’t flaws, they’re what make each piece truly unique. When necessary, I use techniques like dyed epoxy resin to stabilize fragile or historic wood, preserving it so it can live on in a lasting form.
At the heart of my work, it’s about more than just making something beautiful. It’s about connection, to the material itself, to my dad who first inspired me, and to the people who find meaning in the finished piece. Holding something I’ve created, knowing it began as raw wood, will always fill me with pride.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
From the time I was young, and now with my own children, I’ve believed it’s important to pursue what you truly want and follow your heart. Achieving something meaningful takes hard work, and mistakes are part of the process. If everything were simply handed to us, we’d miss the deep satisfaction of reaching a goal on our own. Fear can be paralyzing, so I try not to let it keep me from taking chances. One of my biggest risks was investing in the tools I needed for woodworking, not knowing whether it would ever pay off. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a dream of selling my creations to help cover costs and, ultimately, of building partnerships with local vendors and be profitable. One of my goals is to wholesale my products so that businesses can use them as unique customer appreciation gifts. Walking into a vendor’s shop and seeing my work displayed on their shelves would be incredibly gratifying. The idea of making a living doing something I love, while sharing how discovering my artistic voice has shaped me, is what keeps me moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.urbantektondesigns.com
- Youtube: @UrbanTektonDesigns
