Meet Your Maker: Nick Soos

I meet a lot of people at the Veer shop and I've already lost count of the number of customers that marvel at the beautiful handmade items we stock and tell me that they could never make something like that. "I don't have a creative bone in my body." "I'm not an artist." My answer is the same every time and I believe it in every cell of my body. You just haven't found your thing yet, I say. I love telling our customers about the artists we host and I marvel with them and it never gets old. Truly.

When someone comments on the bottle stoppers made by this months featured artist, Nick Soos, I get to tell them that he not only created the beautifully shaped wooden part, but also machined the metal part of the stopper too. It really is something to marvel at and I'm never not impressed...no matter how many times I tell someone. We recently got to know our woodturner a bit better and are very happy to share some of his great work and insights with you. Let's get to it.

What led you to woodworking? 

I met this fellow named Danny working in a small machine shop. He is a very interesting fellow and he ended up showing me some of his wood turnings. Turns out he was the president of the local woodturning chapter for many years. The club would meet at his house in the Sorrento/Apopka area and just turn and shoot the shit. So I started going and learning how to turn. Everyone there is just super cool and loves imparting all of their knowledge to me.

What do you like most about it?

It is very relaxing. I liken it to a form of meditation or therapy. It’s just one of those things that when you are doing it you just turn off your mind to all the other things and just really focus.

Do you begin a piece with a shape in mind or do you let the wood decide?

Both. When I do bowls I mostly just let the wood decide. When I am doing spindle work like wands or bottle stoppers etc I plan it out mostly.

Which materials fascinate you the most besides wood?  Are there any materials that you have not worked with but would like to try?

I am a machinist by day so I have worked with many different metals and plastics. Metal is generally very consistent, unlike the wood that I use for my turnings. I love damascus steel and all the different variations of it like timascus but have never really worked with it. I also like the dyed epoxy trend (think rivertables) but there are a whole new set of tools and techniques to buy and learn that I am just not ready for yet. Plus, it seems to me to be a fad that is accelerated by social media. Ceramics is another craft that has always been a favorite of mine. There are some great people doing great work in the Orlando area.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to realize someday?

I plan on doing some very large turning/sculptures one day that will hopefully involve another local artist who has expressed interest in a collaboration.

What have you learned about yourself from your work in woodturning? Spoiler alert: He proves my theory.

I never considered myself an artistic person at all but I suppose I found my artistic outlet in woodturning.

Nick, you grew up in Florida, right? How has your community in Orlando and the central Florida area supported you or given you inspiration?

I did. In Tavares. I never thought anyone would want to actually purchase my work but that has not been the case. So that gives me another reason to keep going with it cause I must be doing something right. Also, I want to give a shout out to the Central Florida WoodTurners. They all have been a guiding light and are all just genuinely great people.

What other hobbies or interests keep you busy?

Skateboarding. I just do it here and there so I’ll never lose it completely. But you know, it’s inherently dangerous so I just kinda cruise around nowadays.

What have you learned about yourself from building your product line/brand?

I have not totally built my brand yet because it is just something I do in my spare time. I feel like it will come in time.

Rapid Fire Round... Dogs or cats? Random fact about yourself. Go.

Cat-Dog. I have met Bjork.

What does the word “veer” mean to you?

To go off in another direction that is unique and with purpose.