Otter Keep Building
Veteran Owned Small Business specializing in handcrafted items from mill scraps, with a passion for creativity inspired by the playful otter.
About The Otter Mill
Welcome to The Otter Mill! I’m Mike—most folks just call me Otter—and this little corner of the world is where my passion for woodworking turned into both a resilience practice and a creative family adventure.
After 30 years of serving as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, moving every 2–3 years, I never had the opportunity to build the full woodshop of my dreams. Still, in every small garage or borrowed space, I found joy in crafting furniture, gifts, and handmade pieces for family and friends. Woodworking became my reset button—steady hands, sawdust therapy, and a way to stay grounded through every new assignment.
With the encouragement of my wife and kids, that simple joy has evolved into a side business we operate together. New tools, fresh ideas, and plenty of creative license have allowed us to expand from holiday décor to cutting boards, charcuterie boards, yard games, patriotic pieces, signs, and more—shipping our custom creations to customers around the globe through social media and word of mouth.
Now that we’re finally settled into our “forever home” after 14 moves, I’ve built the workshop I always envisioned. And with it, The Otter Mill is stepping into a new chapter of custom woodwork, crafted with care and a bit of sawdust therapy in every piece.
While you’re here, feel free to browse our past projects at The Otter Mill. If something speaks to you, let us know. And if you don’t see it? Just ask.
We’d love to help bring your idea to life—one handcrafted piece at a time.
Click Below to see what we’ve created so far… and dream up your own custom design.
