How many things do you own that are handmade? Not just assembled by hand, but created from scratch? I can say categorically that everything I own that is handmade gives me a more rich experience than the mass-produced version would. Handmade things reverberate with the hopes and dreams of the craftsperson. The hope that the user will find as much joy in the object as the creator did in it's making.

The things I make are to be used, not merely looked at, but experienced, and appreciated for what they are: the culmination of years of study and practice in the pursuit of quality, thoughtful design, and beauty that will endure beyond my time. 

I realize that there isn't enough time on this earth for me to build all the things whirling in my head, but that won't stop me from trying. 

Let us build the heirloom that you have always dreamed of together. 

  • Wherever possible I source domestic woods that are harvested sustainably.

  • I believe the traditional wooden boat to be one of the most beautiful marriages of form and function there is

  • The skills and tools of the past aren't necessarily obsolete, in fact, many of the old less industrial methods, yield a finer, stronger end product.

  • Without the forests, there would be no wood, as a woodworker, I can appreciate the wastefulness of a piece of furniture that is thrown away after only a few years use.

  • the use of simple finishes low voc where appropriate

  • custom design/build

About Keith Mitchell

I grew up in Rural Vermont, surrounded by a great mix of artists, scientists and craftspeople. This upbringing instilled a strong sense of self reliance, conservation and creativity in me. After apprenticing a celebrated master woodworkers, working in the field, and running my own business, I attended The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. There I added “builder of traditional wooden boats” to the list that includes: cabinetry, entrances, stairs, millwork and design.

I have served on the professional advisory committee for THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL OF WOODEN BOATBUILDING NWBOATSCHOOL.ORG

I am a member of the “TWELVE FOOT DINGY CLASSIC WOOD CLUB”(WWW.12FOOTCWC.ORG) an international organization based around the first “INTERNATIONAL ONE-DESIGN” class of sailing dinghy first built in 1913.


I worked at Rutherfords Boatshop and on the near total rebuild of award winning schooner “Viveka” first constructed in 1929.

I have my small custom shop near the shore of Lake Champlain where I can build most anything I can think of.