Thank you for coming to my website; I’d like to share a bit about myself and how I got started.

I’m a Montanan, born and raised, and currently serving in the U.S. Navy as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician while woodworking and creating sculpture in my free time. For me, it’s an opportunity to decompress, reflect and bring something into the world that people can connect with.

I’ve been honing my skills as a sculptor and woodworker for years now, becoming increasingly enthralled in the process of creating. From the time I was a child, I have been doing small projects here and there with help from my Father (who is extremely handy with any wood project he does even though he won’t admit it half the time), and my mother (who is arguably one of the most talented ceramic artists I’ve ever met). Luckily, I was able to spend my childhood learning to work with my hands and it has served me very well.

One of the defining moments I had, that led me to develop my skills further and eventually fully dive in, was when I was in college. During one year, my brother had a major life achievement and I wanted to give him something to commemorate it. Being in college, however, money was in rare supply and I couldn’t find anything even remotely in my price range that I felt would be adequate so I decided to make him something instead. I grabbed an old wood rasp and chisel I had from my grandfather and for $40 I was able to pick up a juniper stump. Around 100 hours, cuts, scrapes and many blisters later, I came out on the other side with a decent wood sculpture and I was thrilled. That project in particular really solidified a few things for me; I loved creating something with my hands for people I cared about and the amount I learned, by just putting my hands to work, was incredible and I wanted more.

Since then there have been many projects in a variety of mediums ranging from metal to leather and everything in between. Something about learning how to work a new material or technique inspires and excites me. Now that I am more established in life and have years of experience doing this I want to share what I have to offer with people from all walks of life and, hopefully, create something that resonates with them.

- Andrew Fichtler