John Vassel finds joy in creating furniture

When John Vassel lost his father at the age of 18, the Vineyard Town youth instantly knew his life had changed forever.

In that moment Vassel understood that he had to find a way to support himself, taking responsibility for his own survival. That was what launched him into the career of furniture making.

"When my father died, a friend of mine use to work at a furniture store up by Orange Street. Me did a work a job weh pay like $1500 for the week and he was telling me the furniture store pay more. Suh mi go there and the first week I work there I get $2200. At that time $2200 was a whole heap a money, so I feel like I was a millionaire," Vassel said excitedly.

However, although he enjoyed the pay increase, Vassel told THE STAR that he had no prior experience in carpentry and had to lie to get the job.

"Mi tell the owner cousin seh mi did know the work and that me could a do the work but mi couldn't do it. But just because mi did want to get the work mi tell him that ... but them time deh a only sand mi did know how to sand," Vassel admitted.

Still, after spending most of his days sanding furniture, Vassel became fascinated with carpentry and sought the help of two friends to teach him the trade.

"Corey and Rodger, they were the ones who teach mi what to do. We use to link up in the evening and buy patty. Them time deh Mother's use to have a deal, two for $22 and we use sit down eat and a them show me what to do because mi never know nothing about the trade," Vassel said. It took him about five years to fully learn the trade. He added that the more he learnt, the more he fell in love with carpentry. He said that his favourite piece of furniture to make are headboards, as those were the first pieces he learnt to make.

"Mi enjoy this more than any other thing. This give mi joy, just fi come and a work and mi see the youth a work," said the father of seven who has used the trade to build his home and care for all his children. Still, he told THE STAR that his journey as a carpenter was not easy one.

"A whole heap mi guh through. A whole heap a style me get, whole heap a ups and downs. Because yuh will deh here suh and hear yuh aguh get $50 fi dat and yuh see the man weh yah work under, when him done yuh lucky if yuh get $20," Vassel said. Another challenge is when potential customers take pictures of intricate furniture pieces sold by stores, and want identical designs in a short space of time. Breakfronts are also the hardest to make because of the time and detail they require.

He said that he spent 20 years working for other carpenters until he opened his own carpentry shop on Pechon Street in downtown Kingston 10 years ago. There the 47-year-old has three employees, who alongside him build and sell of wide range of custom furniture.