Meet The Staff
Christopher (Handsome Charlie) has been doing carpentry for over 20 years learning the tricks of the trade thanks to his father teaching him as a young lad. Growing up he pursued a nursing career for over 7 years after college, then went to skilled trade, and then engineering. In 2023 Charlie opened Lexington Makerspace a non profit organization that gave people the option for tools that they couldn’t get or have the space for. Charlie helped hone the skills of woodworking to hundreds of individuals and gave the same opportunity he was given to choose their own path in entrepreneurship. After a couple of years of the makerspace, he decided to join another venture in laser cutting and fabrication with LexFiber LLC and became an owner and operator for a fiber laser cutting service. Now he is joining a new venture with fiber laser welding and restoration to add to the ever long list of things for his resume. If you have something you need to build, or manufacture then look no further than him.
Handsome Charlie
Owner/Welder/CNC Operator/CAD Designer/Manufacturer
Jennifer Bond is a APRN and joined Lexington Makerspace over a year ago with an interest in Welding and Woodworking. Over her time at the Makerspace, she harnessed her skills in Woodturning, and Welding on a professional level. She has decided to join our business to further on our services in laser welding. Nothing has stopped her yet on the tasks that have come at hand. If you need something welded, art work made, custom manufacturing done, hell even medical advice; she is the person that is dedicated to the job. With her knowledge steady hands and skills, we welcome her with open arms in our venture and know that she is an excellent addition in our business.
Partner/Welder/Fabricator/Pharmacist
Jessica Oaks came to Lexington Makerspace a few years ago with Jennifer for a place to relax and hone their skills in welding and woodworking. Jessica had harnessed the skills to become a fantastic welder and started making small projects realizing she was great at what she could do. While working as a Pharmacist for Lexington’s brave and finest, on her off time she is fabricating here at Handsome Charlies Customs and decided to become a partner in our new venture for Laser Welding and Restoration. We are delighted to have her part of our family and always brings a laugh to all of us. If you need some serious work done or just some basic cute gifts for the family, she is more than qualified to hit all your checkboxes.
Ewan started an apprenticeship program with the makerspace over 2 years ago and is our youngest member. Ewan currently attends Steam and the Hill in Lexington, and has been learning manufacturing and welding with the Fayette County School programs. Over time Handsome Charlies Customs has taken him on as an intern and he has quickly learned so many skills to make his future bright. He has even helped a local business we do work for save over $100K in labor from ideas that he has come up with making him a future local prodigy. Handsome Charlies has taken him on for more work and his ideas to make things great here.
Partner/Welder/Fabricator/APRN
Timothy Umstead
Carpenter/Welder/3D Modeler/Manufacturer
Tim (Chops) Umstead graduated from Mineral County Technical Center for certifications in power, structural & tech systems from WV. He was born and bred into farming with education in pigs, sheep, and bees. He joined up with us last year after discovering him in the makerspace. He has harnessed skills in woodworking, carpentry, 3Dmodeling, and leatherworking. Recently he has played a role in box beam building, fence building, and custom fabrication. He has been a vital role in our education for projects that relate to farming and tool fabrication to help the bluegrass. If you need something created into CAD, woodworking projects done in quick times, Chops can fill your needs.
Apprentice/Carpenter/Welder/3D Modeler/Manufacturer
Jennifer Bond
Ewan Taylor
Jessica Oaks
