A "Maker" Before it was Cool

richsesek
May 25
2 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Matt Sesek (my father) has always been a problem-solver and maker. He and Val Sesek (my uncle) built their first bicycle from parts recovered from discarded bikes. Growing up, he would often make the parts we needed to fix things (e.g., he used a dremel tool to cut a small metal gasket to repair a leaf blower in less time than it would have taken to drive to the hardware store).

He did not start wood carving until he retired. Now, in his 80s he spends a lot of time carving, particularly bird houses. These are not mass-produced, hastily nailed together "shacks." Each is a one-of-a-kind, handmade, functional birdhouse. He has made several to honor the professions and passions of others (e.g., barber shop, school house, Auburn's iconic "red barn", and log cabins).

Here are some examples of bird houses that he has made:

Here is a one-room school house. The flag is also carved. The following images hightlight the detail. He uses a wood burner to detail the shingles and boards. He paints and then seals the houses so that they can be used outside (though many people keep them in their house as art).

Here are some of the details

Here is an earlier version of the school house (before the bell was moved to the top and the flag was added.

Here is a log cabin with nice stonework.

Here is Auburn University's iconic Red Barn. My dad made this as a gift for Paul Patterson when he retired as Dean of the College of Agriculture at Auburn University.

Here is a picture of the barn.

Some action shots of the "barn raising."

All of the shingles were individually added using a wood burner.

He really likes making whimsical, Dr. Suess-looking houses.

A barber shop and Mike's Garage.

A little red barn (not "the" red barn).

I really like his old man face bird houses!

Here is my dad wrestling a bear. (Actually, he was repairing a wooden bear that someone else made.)

He also carves eagle feathers. Those have been populaer with Auburn fans. He makes them for me to share with Auburn faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. He burns art on the back of each feather.