CULLMAN, Ala. – Acclaimed woodturner Vyron Bearden of Muscle Shoals is eagerly anticipating his return to Cullman for the 41st Annual Bloomin’ Festival, where he will showcase his handcrafted pens, cutting boards and other unique wood creations.
Bearden’s journey with woodworking began in high school, where he developed a passion for working with wood in shop class. After earning a degree in engineering and spending 26 and a half years with The HON Company, a manufacturer of high-end office furniture, he retired — but not to sit idly by. Instead, he reignited his love for craftsmanship, purchasing a small lathe in 2014 to make handcrafted ink pens, which he sold at Florence’s First Fridays events. A pivotal moment came when he salvaged a truckload of premium wood from a North Carolina job site, inspiring him to expand his craft beyond pens.
In 2017, Bearden branched into creating cutting boards, cheese slicers and charcuterie boards, further diversifying his collection. Though the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily slowed his craft show appearances, he has since gained significant momentum, bringing his handcrafted wares to eager audiences across the region.
“To date, St. Bernard’s fall show — Bernard Blues and BBQ — has been my best-ever fall show,” Bearden shared. “It outperformed my other shows by 25%.”
Bearden’s pens, crafted from a mixture of wood, acrylic and even deer antler, range in price from $25 to $250, with some featuring intricate details like watch parts embedded in the pen’s body. His bullet-style pens, made from actual fired cartridges, include designs honoring all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the newly established Space Command. Meanwhile, his cutting boards, made from a variety of domestic and exotic hardwoods, range from $50 to $125.
This year, Bearden is introducing a new cookbook stand that doubles as a display holder for his cutting boards, along with breadboards, bread knives and keychains engraved with scripture.
Bearden said people often comment his boards are too pretty to use. “I just suggest they turn them over,” he laughed.
Beyond his artistry, Bearden appreciates the warm hospitality of the St. Bernard students who assist vendors with setup and teardown. “The students at St. Bernard are fabulous,” he remarked. “I’m always one of the last ones out, but with their help, I can pack up in 30 minutes — it would take me another hour on my own! They are lightning fast and fantastic.”
Festival attendees will have the opportunity to meet Bearden, hear the stories behind his craftsmanship and take home a one-of-a-kind piece of functional art. Don’t miss the chance to explore his collection at the 41st Annual Bloomin’ Festival on April 5-6, 2025, at St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman.
For more information on the Bloomin’ Festival, visit www.bloominfestival.com.
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