Working on his family farm in the Missouri Ozarks, Carl uses some of the more unusual woods to create his treenware. Sometimes making use of woods like redwood, mulberry, Osage orange, and wild plum, to name a few. He carries on the ages-old tradition of making treenware [from the Old English word "treen" which was the plural of tree]. Carl's father, Roger began the family tradition and was one of Bluestem's first artists. All his utensils are sturdy, well-designed and definitely made to be used.