Kettler Woodworks

01/13/2023

So, after a decade's-long hiatus, my father has started building mandolins for sale again. Back in the late 70s and throughout the 80s he was well known for rich, "woody" sounding mandolins with volume and "bark" that many bluegrass players really fell in love with. His instruments were favorably reviewed in Frets magazine, and well-respected players like Peter Rowan, Orrin Starr, and Peter Feldman sang the praises of his mandolins. He moved onto to building other things - boats, horse-drawn vehicles, etc. - but now he's been back to luthiery and making some beautiful, and beautiful sounding mandolins once again. If you know anyone who likes acoustic instruments, let them know! Check out the website here...

Kettler Mandolins are individually handcrafted for tone, volume, and beauty using years of experience. Appreciated by accomplished players in the 70s and 80s, new Kettler Mandolins are being handmade in Vermont once again. These fine acoustic instruments are built for the discerning player.

04/22/2019

I'm dipping my toe back into social media after a long absence. Hope you're all doing well and enjoying spring! Here are a few photos of a three-legged cherry stool that I made for myself in the depths of winter. Hand carved texture on the seat. Makes a fine accent table, but I've been playing a lot of guitar on this little guy.

09/01/2018

I decided at the last minute to have a Labor Day weekend sale. I'm offering a 20% discount on all bowls and barware/kitchenware on my website through Sept. 3 - just use the code "labordaybowlsale" during checkout. Hope you all have a great weekend!
https://kettlerwoodworks.com/collections

08/20/2018

This li'l guy - made from local, forest-salvaged spalted maple - was added to my shop today. Great for spices, knick knacks, jewelry and other small stuff.

08/19/2018

I recently discovered a time lapse app for my phone. So, here's a spalted maple bowl being rough turned in less than a minute. And there's a tractor!

08/18/2018

I've been working this week to save some wood that's been sitting around for longer than I intended. Some it is too far gone and getting too p***y to salvage. This piece was right on the edge in some spots and spectacular in others. Thankfully it looks like both extremes are meeting in the middle and the bowl overall is gonna pull through.

(If you're curious about the process, this bowl is just rough turned at this point. The walls were left extra thick. It now gets set aside to dry for anywhere from a month to a year - depending on the wood and conditions. Then I bring it back to the lathe and turn it down to its final shape and wall thickness before sanding and finishing. Wood turning - a comedy of patience.)

08/17/2018

Some more photos of that hickory bowl with local tomatoes. Local food with local wood.

08/16/2018

A new handturned vegetable bowl held by the hands of my beautiful wife, Launie Kettler. It's made from local, Vermont hickory with some interesting character. Just added it to my website and Etsy store. Go check it out and tell me what you think!

08/12/2018

Gouge to the grindstone.... I've been trying to catch up on some turning recently, turning a variety of bowls, plates and vases. Then I prepped a bunch more bowl blanks late last week - some cherry, spalted maple and aspen - and I'm excited to get it turned into bowls and other shapes. Curious to see what comes out of this pile of wood! Also, if anyone needs mulch for flower beds, bedding for animals, or fuel for bee smokers, I have lots of wood shaving piling up. Walnut separated from the ash, maple, etc. Just let me know if you want any!

07/29/2018

I just realized I never posted photos of this cabinet I finished a little while back for Two Sister's Mercantile in Jeffersonville. It's made from solid poplar and has exposed drawer runners. Go check it out in person next time you're in Jeffersonville. And pick up some local fiber and yarn while you're there!

07/24/2018

So, my newly redone - and mobile-friendly! - website is up and running. Go take a look and tell me what you think. And use the code "siterelaunch" for a 10% discount through Aug. 15. Many thanks and tips-of-the-hat to Steve McIntyre and Champlain Host for the many technical assists!

07/11/2018

A leather drawer pull inset into a walnut drawer on a steel and wood (and leather) work-in-progress.