After many years working in the world of specialty coffee, I wanted to do something more tangible. I wanted to work with my hands, I wanted to feel excited by the material, I wanted to feel more connected to the natural world.

I didn’t know all of that when I turned my first pen on a lathe, but I did know I felt lit up in a way I hadn’t in a long time.

I started building more, learning more, playing more. Ron Grieco Woodworking was born. I vended at a few markets. Eight months after I turned that first pen, I quit my job.

For two years or so, I vended at regional makers markets and farmers markets, usually bringing some turned stuff, lots of cutting boards, and one piece of furniture. I didn’t expect farmers markets to lead me to a terribly sustainable lifestyle, but I was trying to build a name and a custom furniture clientele. In 2024, I started receiving some custom orders for furniture. I was thrilled! In completing them, however, I found it was not actually aligned with what I wanted for myself. I was stressed, all creativity was out of my hands, and essentially, I was working for someone else, just in a sneaky form. I found that when I was stressed out and deep in the throes of a custom furniture piece, all I wanted to do was get on my lathe and turn. 

Two days after I delivered my last custom piece, I listened to that urge. I bought a new (to me) lathe, and I started turning full time. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 

Now, I make what inspires me, what puts a spark in my mind and soul. And I travel around the country, selling at art fairs and festivals. What I have in stock is one of a kind, and constantly changing, thus why I don’t currently sell online. Check out the shows page, come to my booth, and hopefully you find some inspiration in this pieces that I’ve felt inspired to make. I look forward to meeting you.