Carpenters Wheel

Block Number: 12

By Nora Worthen

Nancy Spencer, owner of Spencers Hardware, took a long time to decide on the quilt block that would adorn the outside of her business on Rutherford Road in Marion. After a great deal of thought, she chose the "Carpenters Wheel", Spencer replied, "What I have always wanted to say in my business that I have no other way to say, actually, is that my business is Christ centered. Most of the time people can't express that through their business." This one "seemed to be the right concept, because carpenter, going along with hardware, and carpenter, going along with Christ, I knew that was the one."

Spencers Hardware block, called "Carpenters Wheel" hangs on the west-facing side of the building, and can be seen from some distance as one travels south on Hwy. 221. This block seems to change as you look at it. It takes on the characteristics of a hidden picture within a picture. Looking at it from different angles you may see the yellow cross or at another angle you may see the 3-dimentional illusions of burgundy flames encircling the cross. From yet another angle, you may see a bronze pinwheel in the center and not notice the cross at all.