For the past eight years, local woodturner Jarrod Smitherman has been offering unique wood products that serve a practical purpose.

Smitherman’s Woodchuck Turning Studio offers handcrafted functional wood products, such as pens, razors, shaving brushes and rolling pins.

“I just make a little bit of everything,” he said. “I just enjoy working with wood.”

Smitherman, a Fairview resident and teacher at J.B. Pennington High School, said he grew up around woodworking with his family, and has continued to practice the trade.

After filling a spare bedroom with the things that he was making, he decided to start selling them at craft shows, but the extra revenue isn’t the main reason why he works with wood, he said.

“I just enjoy working in the shop,” he said. “Getting a little shop therapy.”

Each piece that Smitherman makes is unique due to the internal differences in the wood, and he said he gets a lot of satisfaction from the first turn on the lathe to reveal what’s inside.

“You never know what it’s going to look like on the inside once you start turning,” he said.

Smitherman said he usually sells his products at craft shows around the area, and has sold in several local stores in the past. He currently has shaving brushes and razors for sale at Book and Barrel Outfitters in Cullman’s Warehouse District.

“Cullman always has a really great customer base,” he said.

Wherever he sells his wares, Smitherman said he does not plan on stopping anytime soon.

“I just like making sawdust,” he said. “No matter what comes out.”