Hand Crafted in the 18th Century Tradition

A Craftsman Born in the Wrong Century:
Robert D. Hodgetts 

Robert "Bob" Hodgetts started building things at a young age: from Harly Davidson Motorcycles to playgrounds and tie retaining walls to the log cabin in which he and his wife raised their daughter and currently reside.

Growing up primarily in New England, he became fascinated with his mother's collection of antiques, and the history of the area. However, it wasn't until after he moved to Colorado in the early 1970's that he began to truly appreciate the craftsmanship of America's first furniture makers. Hodgetts began experimenting with his chosen craft by furnishing his own home, and as he learned, his talent for creating beautiful replicas of historical pieces was polished.

Hodgetts practices traditional techniques in his work, hand-carving among other things, ball and claw feet, shells, and ornamentation. He has perfected cabriole turnings, grain matching, and smoothing wood to a glassy finish with hand planes. More proof of his quality can be found in his hand-worked dovetail, and mortise and tenon joinery. To finish his pieces, he hand-applies oil and varnish, or shellac and wax preparations.

Combined with his superior skill, Hodgetts' knowledge of period styles makes him an expert consultant to anyone looking for a functional, long-lasting piece of 18th century artwork. He greatly enjoys adapting Revolutionary style to modern applications, and seeing customer's pleasure at the completion of a concept that fits their needs and desires. Hodgetts' work has been featured in various magazines, and trade catelogs, as well as in The Custom Furniture Source Book: A Guide to 125 Craftsmen (Taunton Press, 2001).