Meet Christopher Flesher | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Flesher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
I don’t look at success as being rich or famous. Success to me is setting goals and following through with the goals you have set for yourself. When you fail, you get back up and try it again. You do what it takes until you have reached your goal. This is a cycle that must keep going do when you finish with one, you start back at the beginning and make some more SMART goals!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
About 6 years ago, I set out to learn everything I could about the process of fractal burning. I did the research, obtained the parts and made my first machine. I do have to say that fractal burning is dangerous in itself, but not having the proper safeties adds tremendously to the danger. My first machine was very unsafe. I did get a little shock on two different occasions. I am very lucky that I am still alive and okay. Many people have tried to fractal burn, failed, and ultimately died from a simple mistake. My machine today is very safe and i am constantly thinking of ways to continue to contribute to the safety of my burner. My burns tend to come out a lot different than most other people who burn. I am not positive I know why but I have a pretty good idea. I would like to keep that to myself! I started doing this by taking scrap 2×4’s out of the trash, ripping them down the center, routing and mitering them and making picture frames. I would then burn them with the dangerous machine I used to use! Eventually I started repurposing things. I collect wooden items from goodwill, arc thrift store, alleys, friends and family and anywhere I can find it! Today I own my own business, LitWood & Artisan Friends! It was not easy getting here. I used to live in an apartment and had to rely on friends to let my use their driveways, yards, water and electricity. This was not easy as much of my time was spent loading and unloading items, getting set up, and usually friends want to chat. I could not be rude so i would have to wait until the talking was finished before I could start. I also could not do large items because the vehicle that my fiance, Michelle and I shared was a tiny Mitsubishi Mirage! We would pack it down as much as we could for work and for shows! We now have a Pathfinder that we share. We are not at a point to be able to afford another vehicle at this time but once we can get a truck or Van for the business, things will be much simpler! we worked from this point up until we made our brand known among the locals here in Black Hawk as well as the folks in Central City. Everyone has been so supportive of us!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If i had some friends visiting in the city, I would definitely have to take them shopping here in the Black Hawk H.A.R.D. District and introduce them to all of the shop owners! On that day, we would probably go have JKQ BBQ for lunch or dinner. If these visitors were in to gambling, I would take them to my favorite casinos. By Favorite, I mean some of the only ones I have been to, because I’m not big on gambling myself! I would take them around the city and show them all of the different statues and take one of the guide maps. I would show them the wonderful place we live in Black Hawk and hopefully learn some new things by taking them around. I would be taking them to check out Central City as well. I would take them to the Gilpin County Art Gallery where they can see the old jail it was and hear about all of the history. We would eat at Stellas in the Famous Bonanza that day because that is where my Fiance works!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My life was completely turned around a few years ago when I started talking to the organization Warrior Now and being involved with Jefferson County Veterans Court. If it wasn’t for some of the wonderful people and volunteers, I would not be where I am today. I am afraid to think where I would be if it had not been for the guidance I was given. Not sure if I can say names here so I will just use a first name, Joseph. Without his mentorship, I more than likely would not be sitting where I am today! He has been a great mentor and good friend! I also have to thank the City of Black Hawk for Offering these wonderful deals to people like me to help get myself up and off the ground as well as contribute to the retail shopping in this community. It feels really nice to be welcomed here!

Website: LitWoodCreations.com

Instagram: LitWoodCreations

Facebook: www.facebook.com/litwoodcreations

Other: tiktok litwoodcreations

Image Credits
These were all taken by myself