Handsome Charlie’s Customs was built on a lifelong passion for craftsmanship and problem-solving. The foundation of our work began around the age of ten, learning the fundamentals of carpentry from family and developing hands-on skills in a home garage workshop. Those early years established a deep respect for quality, precision, and hard work.

After high school, the founder pursued a degree in nursing at the University of Kentucky and worked in the medical field beginning in 2009. In 2015, a career transition led into the skilled trades, joining an engineering-focused company specializing in concrete slump solution equipment. This role provided extensive experience traveling across the United States and internationally, blending engineering principles with hands-on fabrication.

That technical background merged naturally with woodworking through involvement in local makerspaces. Handsome Charlie’s Customs began as an incubated business at Kre8now Makerspace, where advanced tooling, collaboration, and creative exploration refined the brand’s direction. When Kre8now closed, a new chapter began with the founding of a nonprofit organization—Lexington Makerspace—dedicated to teaching woodworking and skilled trades to the community, including students and aspiring makers. That mission continues today.

Currently, Handsome Charlie’s Customs partners with local businesses and individuals to create custom furniture, architectural elements, and specialized fabrications that require a high level of skill and creativity. Our work blends traditional woodworking artistry with modern CNC technology and precision metal machining, serving industries ranging from small local businesses to aerospace applications.

We approach every project as a collaboration. Whether inspired by an idea, a sketch, or something seen online, we bring concepts to life through craftsmanship, engineering, and design—creating one-of-a-kind pieces built to last.