ABOUT OUR FAMILY BUSINESS:

Hello, my name is Michael Schmitt.  Thank you for visiting the website of our small family business!  A little about us:  I am by trade a stonemason, with about 20 years experience laying stone on high end residential projects in both Virginia and Michigan.  While working at one point in a limestone shop for about 2 years, I learned the basics of lettering and carving.  I then decided to start letter carving at home as a hobby, which later transitioned into professional work.  My lettering is done entirely by hand, meaning just a mallet and chisel.  I do not use electric or pneumatic (air powered) tools at all.  Of course this is the ancient method, known to the masons and carvers of old, all across the world.  From the ancient Romans and Greeks, to the medieval craftsmen who carved and built the breathtaking cathedrals, to the Renaissance sculptors, down to the carvers who brought these skills to the New World- stone carving was done slowly and diligently, all by hand, and one hammer tap at a time.  Over one hundred years ago sandblasting was invented, and the ancient art of hand-carved lettering began to gradually decline and almost disappear.  Nowadays in America, almost all stone lettering is done via sandblasting or laser etching, although in England, gratefully, the hand carved tradition lives on to a greater extent.  Personally, I choose to carve by hand for a number of reasons.  First of all, the hand-carved product is quite different than that of sandblasting.  While sandblasting produces a rough, grainy texture, hand carved letters are done with the "V Joint".  The "V Joint" is stunningly beautiful and wonderfully interacts with light and shadow lines.  Above all, to me it is meaningful, important and worthwhile to carve by hand.  It connects us with the past, with our patrimony and our traditions.  Basically, carving by hand is about recreating the medieval mindset- I am trying to bring back a small piece of the Middle Ages.  I have four sons, and the older ones are learning the craft and doing fine work!  In the spirit of the Middle Ages, I hope to pass on the lettering art from one generation to the next...

Order Inquiries

Every carving job is unique, and pricing varies accordingly. Please contact us directly to discuss your individual ideas and projects:

Phone: 540-305-5939
E-mail: schmittandsons@outlook.com

Or you may contact us via the form below: