Gary Strait owner of Gary’s Custom Woodworking has spent over 40 years in the construction industry.  He currently works as a punch-out specialist in new construction.  Gary was born in Iowa and has lived in many different places but for the last 12 years he's called the Bay Area his home.  He lives with his wife Carla, of Carla's Collectibles in Wesley Chapel along with numerous pets. 

Gary has been involved with woodworking his entire life.  His love for woodworking began when he was a child and watched his father working with wood.  Gary picked up the hobby himself over 25 years ago.  He says when he's working on a project he is "in the zone".  Through the years Gary has honed his craft and now does intricate scroll work.  Some of his most difficult pieces have included Butterfly Tiger Swallow's Tail which is a reproduction of Jeff Zafino's artwork.  Gary took this project on for the sheer challenge of it.  Gary has also done a Victorian style doll house for his daughter's Christmas present which took him over 270 hours to complete.

Gary does restoration work for items such as mantel clock bezel repairs, doll house repairs and such, along with custom orders such as carved reproductions of family photos which make excellent gifts.  You can find both Gary and Carla every weekend at the Gunn Highway Flea Market at the corner of State Road 54 and Gunn Highway in Odessa.

Gary and Carla have maintained an active presence at the flea market for over three years.  They like this flea market over others because of the family atmosphere, old fashioned feel of it and the vendor camaraderie where everyone watches out for each other.