WILTON — Katye Rackliffe enjoys making custom wood furniture and other items, especially when she finds wood she can repurpose.

Kayte Rackliffe, left, and her friend Lynne Buchiet, both of Wilton took two or three woodworking classes through an adult education program before branching off into making furniture and other items for themselves. Submitted photo

It started with needing a box to put firewood in. She and a friend, Lynne Buchiet, a seamstress, also of Wilton, took two or three adult education woodworking classes at Mt. Blue Campus. From there it led to building furniture and other wood items for themselves.

Kayte, 33, a cosmetologist and owner of Snipper’s Salon, is sharing her skills with her son, Landon, 12, and plans to teach her daughter, Liliana, 10, how to do woodworking. Landon already has the knowledge of using tools. The first project he wants to do is a custom shelf for his room.

Kayte went to school in Jay through sixth grade and then went to Regional School Unit 9 in the Farmington area, and graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 2006. Her children also attend district schools.

When Kayte is in need of a piece of furniture, she heads down to the workshop to make it.

Kayte Rackliffe and friend Lynne Buchiet each used one half of a piece of wood to make live edge coffee tables. Submitted photo

How did you get interested in woodworking? A friend and I decided to take a class through adult ed. We both needed firewood boxes to put our firewood in.

Do you have a natural ability or is your skill learned? I’ve always loved crafting/creating things, but I also learned a lot! During the class we learned how to use the different saws and had someone to bounce questions off of. We took the class a few times then branched off on our own after accumulating our own tools.

What is your favorite part about making a piece of furniture or object? That it’s custom. You can make the exact size you need. And that it’s great quality!

Do you make the items on your own or do you involve someone else? On my own and sometimes a friend and I are making similar pieces. We did a live edge coffee table and we each used half of the same piece of wood. We did butcher block cutting boards. I have also made small and big shelves and picture frames.

Is there a particular wood you like to work with? Not particularly. I like it when I can repurpose wood. I like to work with pine.

What are some of your favorite projects? My shelves, wood box and live edge coffee.

What is the most difficult project you have done? A live edge coffee table gave me the most trouble. I have also made a big shelf out of pine that was heavy.

Where do you come up with your designs? Usually when I need or want something for the house I make it. I might look online for different ideas.