A Good Conversation: Cedar Grove Wood Turning
with Ted Rahmann
Founder, Cedar Grove Wood Turning
The first time I laid my eyes on a Cedar Grove Wood Turning creation (before it was officially Cedar Grove), I knew Ted had something special. And officially as Cedar Grove now, all would agree that these handmade wooden housewares and objects are a sight to behold.
Better yet, every item is made sustainably from already-fallen trees on Ted’s 140-acre farm in Madison. The organic aesthetic to these treasures are, quite literally, one-of-a-kind: stamped and signed by Ted himself. He personally hand turns every (truthfully, a painstakingly laborious task, though Ted would be too humble to say so). The end result is an incredible work of art, and I’ve accumulated several pieces in my home as different functional and styling objects.
But, what not many might know about Cedar Grove is that the creation of this unique business has been a therapeutic process of healing. In February of 2020, Ted and his wife, co-founder Kathy, suffered unimaginable loss by losing their 42-year old daughter Meredith to a decade-plus long battle with brain cancer. Just weeks into their grief, Covid struck the world and lockdowns ensued. It’s hard to imagine grieving this type of loss alone, and strikes a cord deep within me. But, as humans do, we put one foot in front of the other, and our strength and resilience has no bounds. Ted found moments of joy in his woodshop, creating candle sticks, bowls, and canisters for friends. Then, after the encouragement of friends and family, Cedar Grove was officially created. A beautiful but gut-wrenching example of processing grief and trauma and turning pain into purpose.
Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey. How did you get started?
I have a lot of hobbies (with wood turning being one of them), and I hardly consider myself a businessman, let alone an entrepreneur. Cedar Grove is the first business I’ve ever created at 70 years old. It’s something that happened organically and I’ve found a tremendous amount of satisfaction and gratification from. Throughout the process, I’ve put the most emphasis on the creation of the product, while my wife Kathy handles the business aspect of things. I like to say: I’m the maker, she’s the boss!
Introduce us to Cedar Grove Wood Turning + the inspiration behind creating it!
At Cedar Grove Wood Turning, we create housewares and objects that are hand-crafted from ethically-sourced hardwoods. From hand-turned antique bowls to one of a kind heirloom wooden boards, we approach every product as a unique opportunity to apple classic woodworking techniques to modern aesthetics. We celebrate what the others try to hide- the marks, the scars, the imperfections. Every piece has a story to tell.
Every single product that leaves the Cedar Grove Workshop starts as a historic piece of wood that has naturally fallen on our farm in Madison. Whether it’s an old maple tree or a mighty fallen oak, each piece of wood that we sustainably source is inspected upon arrival. We know that each scar and knot in the wood is another touch of beauty that will grace the final product. After its arrival and inspection, the wood is lovingly cut, sculpted, sanded and stained by hand over many days of labor. Each piece is as unique as the raw materials we use, and is truly one-of-a-kind.
We believe that by highlighting the blemishes, it lets us create a new chapter in the original story of the antique wood we repurpose. Whether it comes from the fallen walnut tree turned serving bowl or the reclaimed maple tree turned serving utensil set, each piece of wood we use has a story to tell, and a story Cedar Grove refuses to erase. By sustainably sourcing our materials and repurposing them into a collection of artisanal, handmade wooden bowls, charcuterie boards, platters, utensils, vases, candle holders, and more, we create a new chapter for each of these pieces.
We use a variety of wood species for our products, including pine, oak, cedar, cherry, fir, maple, and walnut. Our products are available in different finishes, and all are completely food safe.
What have been some of the biggest roadblocks you’ve faced prior to getting to this point in your career?
I think most people can relate to this- getting out of your own way and going for it. At first you think, ‘but would people actually be interested in paying for something I made? That can’t be!’ You just have to go for it. But yes, imposter syndrome can still happen in your seventies!
What’s something you’re most proud of achieving professionally?
I have to say, when we made our first official sale, we felt immensely proud. My wife Kathy would be pleased with my answer to that one.
What’s the most valuable advice you’ve ever received, either professionally or personally?
Every day counts.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey?
Enjoy every aspect of journey, even if you feel like you should be further down the road. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t compare yourself to others.
What are your thoughts on work-life balance?
Work will always be there. Don’t get so wrapped up in your work that you forget to make a life.
What’s your favorite thing about your home?
The feeling of it. There’s nothing like it. I’ve lived in my home for my entire life- I was born and raised here by my parents, Kathy and I have raised our own family here, and now we have grandchildren who come to visit and make memories here. When something is so special, it’s almost something that you can’t even articulate the magnitude of.
What are five things you can’t live without right now?
Netflix. My Australian Shepard Cooper (“Coop”). My laith (a woodworking essential). My grandchildren. And my wife Kathy.
What inspires you creatively?
The beauty of nature is incomparable.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day looks a little different, but it always involves a walk around the farm with my dog Cooper and a stop into my workshop.
What’s next for Cedar Grove?
Still in the early stages of our Cedar Grove, we hope to continue to connect with customers and also to foster a few meaningful wholesale relationships this year.
To learn more about Ted and Cedar Grove, visit www.cedargrovewoodturning.com, and follow the journey on Instagram @cedargrovewoodturning.