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Date: 10/5/2022
BELCHERTOWN – Justin Satkowski began woodworking on a hobbyist computer numerical control (CNC) machine during the COVID-19 lockdown. What started as a way to stay entertained has now become his own small business: Aqua Vitae.
“I bought some tools and then I started making some simple birdhouses for my wife and family as gifts and, from there, it kind of escalated,” said Satkowski.
Aqua Vitae opened in 2021. Satkowski now makes and sells several of his own designs and custom pieces on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy. Satkowski also has a YouTube channel where he films educational videos on CNC machines.
“The machine that I use is a hobbyist CNC machine and I don’t have any background for that in my career, so I had to teach myself how to do it. The YouTube channel teaches people how to use it and make specific projects that I’ve designed,” he said.
Satkowski’s pieces have ranged from custom flags, town name signs, wooden signs, and more. He said that one of his favorite pieces has been a rotating challenge coin display.
“It’s a motorized display case for military and police challenge coins. It’s electric and I designed it myself. It’s one of a kind,” said Satkowski.
With the holiday season approaching, a piece from Aqua Vitae is a unique gift option. Satkowski said that he cuts holiday orders off around mid-November in order to make sure he can meet deadlines.
During the slower times of the year, his turnaround time is about two to three weeks.
The cost for a piece from Aqua Vitae can vary. According to Satkowski, he has sold his work for anywhere from $50 to $500, depending on the amount of time, work and effort put in.
For anyone looking to learn how to woodwork, Satkowski’s advice is simple.
“Put the time and effort into it. There’s a lot to learn, but it’s fun to do,” he said.
Satkowski loves how his business has allowed him to tap into his creativity.
“It allows me to be creative and design things in my head and turn them into real-life pieces,” he said.
Those interested in learning more about Aqua Vitae or ordering a piece are encouraged to visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/aquavitaewoodworks.