The Story Behind the Sawdust
Welcome to Salt Air Studios, where craftsmanship is rooted in passion, purpose, and the salty breeze of the Nova Scotia coast.
I started this journey over 10 years ago in my garage with a few thrifted tools and a simple idea: make something meaningful with my hands. It began with handmade wooden pens, then acrylics, and soon evolved into cutting boards, crib boards, chess sets, serving trays, and more. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a creative outlet I couldn’t walk away from.
Today, I create one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from charcuterie boards and coasters to engraved mugs and custom woodworking gifts. Whether it’s a serving tray with bold epoxy rivers or a crib board carved from live edge maple, every item is crafted by hand, right here in Nova Scotia.
As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I’ve had the privilege of serving across the country. But Nova Scotia is home. Returning here gave me the chance to reconnect with my roots and build something lasting. Everything at Salt Air Studios is made locally, from start to finish, using quality materials and a whole lot of heart.
Each piece is finished with care, either in my custom beeswax and mineral oil blend or with durable hardwax oils like Rubio Monocoat, to protect the wood and enhance its natural grain. Custom engraving is available for most items, making your gift or keepsake truly personal.
Thank you for supporting local, handmade craftsmanship. I’m proud to share a bit of the salt air and my story with you.
Why I Do This
While serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, I returned home to Nova Scotia looking for balance, creativity, and a way to reconnect with where I come from. Working with wood gave me that. It’s a grounding process, slowing things down, focusing on details, and building something lasting. Every project allows me to bring joy to someone’s home or help mark a meaningful moment in their life.
There’s something deeply rewarding about turning a raw piece of wood into a practical, beautiful item that gets used and appreciated every day. It’s even more meaningful knowing that I’m doing this right here at home, using locally sourced materials and sharing the results with my community.
Everything I make is handcrafted, no mass production, just honest work made to last. I finish each piece with care, using a food-safe beeswax and mineral oil blend I make myself or a durable hardwax oil like Rubio Monocoat. Most items can also be engraved for a personal touch.
workshop, hands dusty, wood shavings
Client Reviews