Alan & Cathe Hedgespeth, Henderson, KY

Calan Originals

wood carving and wood products

For 32 years, Alan Hedgespeth was a college mathematics professor and computer analyst. In 2002, he retired to concentrate full-time on woodworking. Alan, a self-taught woodworker, became interested in woodworking over 30 years ago after he had refinished a piece of furniture. Alan then began building furniture, and accumulated a shop full of scrap wood. From there, he began making swivel top boxes, toys, and other items that could be made from these scraps and marketed.

Although Alan considers himself a furniture maker and wood carver, he is always interested in new projects. Alan works in his shop during the day and carves at night. He carves basswood but uses Kentucky hardwoods for his other projects. His wife, Cathe, designs most of his carvings and also paints them.

Alan’s swivel top boxes are made from walnut, cherry, and poplar cut in a checkerboard fashion. The Kentucky Economic Cabinet has given these boxes as gifts to visiting VIP’s and potential investors in Kentucky. They have also been given to the Governor’s Kentucky Derby guests and a large group of them made their way to Japan.

Alan is a juried member of the Kentucky Crafted in three areas – carving, scale model doll furniture, and toys from beautiful hardwoods for big and little boys. His latest endeavor is carving cottonwood bark, which has yielded one-of-a-kind carvings with a unique look.

Alan’s work can be found at Kentucky State Park gift shops, Completely Kentucky, Frankfort, KY; True Kentucky, Glendale, KY; and the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea.