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ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY: Kali McCrackin Goodenough   When Jacque Cook, owner of Cookies’ Cuttings and Carvings, retired, she decided to try something completely different than her job as a business manager. “My husband does carpentry and cabinet making,” Jacque says. “At a trade show we saw a laser machine and everything it could do. This was six, seven years ago. And, so when I retired, I decided to get a laser machine.”  Jacque retired three years ago and has been exploring the possibilities of the laser machine since. The laser machine allows Jacque to etch and cut a variety of materials to make everything from chess sets to bowls to puzzles and more. “We can etch on just about anything,” Jacque says. “I use a lot of wood just because wood and acrylic are the most versatile. I can make just about anything out of those two mediums. As for etching photographs, leather probably takes a photograph better than anything else does.”  Jacque and Jack’s tables are filled with their creations. A family photograph on leather, their wedding photo on granite, wooden earrings, etched travel mugs, and 3-D puzzles exemplify the possibilities of the laser machine. Jack’s skills as a carpenter characterize his walking sticks and canes, picture frames, treasure boxes, and custom signs.  “The limitations are small,” says Jacque about the laser machine. “I am not necessarily that creative, but I get a lot of ideas off of Pinterest. I get so many ideas I can’t keep up.” Jacque’s booth would argue that her creativity is overflowing in an abundance of beautiful work. Jacque and Jack started coming to the Thursday Local Market last summer and have enjoyed getting to meet people, especially when it leads to new projects for Jacque to try.  “My favorite part about doing this is when I get to make personalized items,” Jacque says. “Here at the market people can come up here and we can talk about making things.”
This week, stop by the Cookies’ Carvings and Cuttings booth to see their beautiful work and perhaps get some ideas for gifts, art, and more. Jacque and Jack are excited to talk with you and share about their work. |
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