Creative juices flow from Formoso

Thirty-nine year old Bret Williams, from Formoso, refurbishes copper, horseshoes, wood and other natural resources into functional pieces. "What I do is make functional things, or just things that I want," Williams said. One year, Williams wanted a hunting knife, so he used a rasp and a horn he found that fit his hand, and he made a knife.

Williams is from Jewell originally. After shoeing horses for 14 years, he decided to move to Formoso when he took a job with Jewell County as a road grader operator. He makes his creations in spurts. "I do it just for fun," Williams said. "A little side money is okay too."

Williams has always had encouragement for his work from his aunt. When he started carving spoons, she bought him a spoon carving book to help him broaden his craft. "She has really inspired me," he said. His favorite part of doing his work is when someone gives him a project. "It really lets my imagination run," Williams elaborated.

Williams sells his items and gives them as gifts. "I'm my own worst critic," he said. "So when someone sees my work and says how nice it is, I sometimes will tell them they can have it." When he is asked to price a creation, he said he never knows what to charge. If you are interested in any of his pieces, some of his items can be seen at Possibilities. If you would like him to do a project for you, you can get a hold of him directly.