Woodworking creations found at MAC

MOSES LAKE - Richly colored wood pens, bottle stoppers and pepper mills illustrate the woodworking hobby of Matt Daschel and his son, James Daschel.

Their work is found at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center (MAC), located at 228 W. Third Ave., in Moses Lake.

Salt mills, flowers holders, napkin holders and plates are also among their wood creations.

"Another big seller is bottle stoppers," James said. "We have a lot of those."

The Daschels sell their wares online, through their business Crab Creek Industries, at crabcreekind.com.

James makes pens and other items. Matt crafts pepper mills and plates.

James, 16, a Moses Lake High School sophomore, began woodworking last year.

James learned some of his skills by taking a wood shop class in school.

"I was really interested in wood turning on a lathe," he commented.

He was taught to make wood pens on a lathe.

James wants to continue his hobby of creating items on a lathe and having a wood shop, but doesn't expect he'll pursue an art career.

James was among a group of 45 students touring downtown Moses Lake recently.

The students are enrolled in the ceramics class and jewelry class offered at Moses High School.

James, a ceramics student, enjoyed seeing the clay fish tanks at the MAC.

"I thought it was pretty cool," he commented.

The field trip also included a trip to Miller's Fine Jewelers and sculpture walk at the Japanese Peace Garden, said teacher Shane Kincaid.

The group received a tour from the garden's designer, Roland Gonzales, Kincaid said.

Kincaid offers the field trip once a semester.

He also commented about Jim Ganiere's talk to jewelry class students at Miller's Fine Jewelers.

"I don't think Jim ever gets tired of it," Kincaid said.

Ganiere repairs jewelry and watches at the Moses Lake business.

He told students how the shop operates and described the machines used, the ultrasonic and steam cleaners, a torch and steam welders.

One student said she wanted to show Ganiere a pendent she was making for her sister.

She had questions about setting the stone.

"She wanted to bring the piece to me and get advice on what to do," Ganiere said.

Many of the students were fascinated by some of the equipment because it isn't available at the high school, he commented.

Students were also shown the computerized engraver, which is used on glass and metal.

Ganiere started learning about the business when he was in the seventh grade, living in Columbia Falls, Mont.

He stopped in the town's jewelry store in 1957 and showed an interest in learning the business.

The store's owner took an interest in Ganiere.

"He said 'take these watches and play around with them,'" Ganiere recalled.

The jeweler also gave Ganiere a book to read about watch repair.

In 1958 Ganiere started working for the store. The owner taught him all he knew about watch repair.

Ganiere went on to attend the Spokane Vocational and Technical School.

He transferred to Spokane Community College, where he was part of the first graduating class of 1964.