As much of an ancient practice as stone cutting or paper making, woodworking is a craft that produces both artistic and useable pieces.

While carpentry or architecture are part of the trade, many wood worker also build and cut smaller pieces.

Some local woodworking artists such as Dave Disselbrett make small figurines that customer can put on display. Disslebrett carves over 50 different caricatures from baseball players, golfers, fisherman to seasonal features like snowmen, pumpkin heads and Santas.

Unlike carpenters and architects, these artists work by hand. Disselbret carves from brasswood. Once finished he paints the figurines in acrylic "to preserve the wood and finish," according to his website.

Charles Hargrove, on the other hand usually glazes his work, though he sometimes leaves smaller figurines unfinished.

Hargrove runs the the family operated Myrtlewood Factory and Gift Shop on Portland Road in Salem.

A self-taught woodworker, Hargrove has been in the business for over 30 years.

"I like working with my hands and I enjoy the creative process," Hargrove said.

"I've always been trying to find my niche."

He began his own business hoping that being self-employed would give him more time off to "disappear" to pursue other hobbies.

"I found out being self-employed, there's not a lot of freedom to it," Hargrove said.

Also a an illustrator Hargrove business offers him the creative freedom to construct a variety of products, which includes a lot of custom work.

Included in some of his work orders are a myriad of trophies and plaques for various groups across the state and country.

"I do dog shows and horse shows," he said.

He also makes trophies for state departments and the military.

"They want something unique that they won't be able to get somewhere else," Hargrove said. "I can make it one-of-a-kind."

Working mostly with works with Myrtlewood, a variety only found in the Northwest. Trees are usually found in southern Oregon and northern California, though there are a few found in Washington as well.

Though Mytrlewood is his material of choice, Hargrove works with a variety of grains.

"There's walnut, maple, and others," he said. "I've covered just about anything that grows."

What he uses depends on what the customer likes. Found in nature, artists like Hargrove are left to use what wood hasn't already been consumed by creatures. Depending on bug damage, he may get a lot or a little useable wood.

"They often start out before I do," he said. "Nature takes what it wants, and I have to use what is left for me."

Whittling the wood down into usable pieces, Hargrove often works with a turning machine, shaping the work in craftsman manner .

"I'm mainly a turner, so I make bowls and things, but I also do a lot of carvings," Hargrove said.

Displayed in his shop are a variety of usable items, like bowls, plates and other kitchen items. In addition to these, however, are handcrafted games (including to complete chess sets) tree ornaments and more.

"I like to make stuff that isn't just static," Hargrove said.

His work has made all around the world, but at times the work come to him.

"I've repaired antiques where I've had to match up different kinds of wood," Hargrove said. "I've restored benches and chairs that came from China that were made out of rosewood."

Here at home, the self-taught Hargrove wishes there were more classes so that others could more easily learn his trade.

Some high schools, like North Salem do offer courses.

Hargrove's friend Dave Anderson teaches classes there, but Hargrove laments the loss of such classes to budget cut backs for art programs.

According to Hargrove, school are often concerned with liability in these classes.

"There are higher liabilities.," he said. However, there's more injuries from football and other sports injuries. It's kinda sad.

For those who may want to learn this hand craft, local artisans such as Disselbrett lead their own classes.

Disselbret teaches at Keizer Art Association on Sunday and Mondays for $15. For a full list of these and other course he teaches at other location, visit www.angelfire.com/or2/carvingsbydave.