Bill Wanezek

BBill Wanezek was born and raised in southwestern Wisconsin, where he lived most of his life before he and his wife discovered Western North Carolina. After falling in love with the Asheville area, they moved to Burnsville in 2007 and have enjoyed it ever since.

Bill’s interest in woodworking began in childhood, helping his father with home projects. Though his father was a housepainter by trade, he introduced Bill to hands-on work with tools and materials, sparking a lifelong passion.

Looking for a creative outlet beyond his day job, Bill bought a lathe and began turning bowls, plates, and candlesticks. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a serious pursuit. As his collection expanded beyond what friends and family could use, he upgraded his equipment and began selling at art shows. Later, he and his wife opened a gift store and he also took on furniture repair and refinishing—on top of working full-time.

After retiring and settling in Burnsville, Bill returned to woodworking with renewed focus. Today, he creates finely crafted turnings and carvings that celebrate the natural beauty of wood. He lets the unique grain and color of each piece guide the design, often adapting his original concept as the wood reveals itself.

Bill works with about 30 types of domestic and exotic hardwoods to produce a range of functional and decorative items, using only clear finishes to showcase each wood’s natural color.