tel 970-653-0359
email bpepett@gmail.com
Papa and Kayla hanging the birdhouse they made.
Papa Pepper is almost as obsessed with his bowls as he is with his grandchildren, Kayla and Bodhi.
Bodhi being Bodhi.
“When I bought my first lathe nine years ago, I had no idea I would become as passionate, almost obsessed, as I have with turning wood — especially bowls. Although I enjoy turning all forms of bowls, I mostly enjoy creating pieces from burls. The challenge of turning burls along with the spectacular colors, grain patterns and final shapes leads to a very satisfying and rewarding experience.” – Pepper Etters
As a kid growing up in Northern Illinois, Pepper Etters had a longing to one day live in the mountains. In the fall of 1965, at age 21, he decided to take a break from school and fulfill his dream. While giving a hitchhiker a ride on his way into the mountains, he learned of “this new place called Vail.” Pepper settled into Vail for the next 37 years, where he established a small construction business.
Pepper Etters Construction included an extensive wood working and mill work shop used mainly for his own building projects. Pepper produced custom cabinets, furniture, custom doors and windows, and scores of miscellaneous custom components for multi-million dollar homes and high end remodel projects. Over the years, many of his projects have been show cased on home tours in and around Vail.
Pepper has since moved 40 miles from Vail to a small town on the Colorado River called Radium, and converted a 1900’s homesteader’s cabin into his turning space.
His experience in cabinetry and mill working along with 9 years of turning wood qualifies Pepper to state that there is very little in common between the two medium. In the first instance a person feeds a piece of wood into a spinning cutting tool. In turning, you enter a hand held tool into a spinning piece of wood.
Almost all of Pepper’s bowls are turned from green wood, although living trees are never cut down for the bowls. Only wood that has been downed by nature is used or, on rare occasion, wood is obtained from landscapers and tree removal services. A green turned bowl requires drying prior to sanding and finishing. During the drying process the bowl will warp and twist somewhat, adding to its already unique character.
Pepper is a member of the American Association of Woodturners.
“With proper care my bowls will last for generations, and once you buy one I hope you get as much pleasure from it as I have gained from restoring life to an otherwise dead piece of nature.” -Pepper Etters