A “digging stick” is a carved wooden tool found in cultures throughout the world. It is used to gather roots and plants for both healing and nourishment. In much the same way, each ukulele we build feeds and enlivens our spirits.

Our daily ukulele chapter began when our reserved teenage son, Huck, decided to stretch his cello horizons. With a new ukulele in his hands he was soon strumming and singing. It was his turning point as well as ours. The immediacy of this little instrument was catching and soon the rest of the family joined in. With our new-found expression, deciding to build our own ukuleles was not too far behind.

Jeff, a carpenter and woodworker, was still in his element constructing ukuleles. Being a problem-solver and accomplished builder, he had the ready skills to create our instrument of choice. Equally valuable to the goal were Jeff’s sensibilities in both art and music. So with a sure vision, we embarked on our ukulele venture in earnest.

To follow our pursuit, Margaret has been the glue for Digging Stick Ukuleles. Without her, questions would go unanswered, packages left unmailed, supplies run empty, and records unkept. She is also the eye behind the camera for our pic-a-ukes. Alongside her Digging Stick work, Margaret has a great time playing and singing with a community uke group, Sisters of the Uke.

Our ukulele journey continues to reward us. As builders, each time we string a new instrument it reminds us that the ukuleles’ sweet and easy song has the power to bring a broad smile to all of our lives. We hope you will find this to be true for you too.

: : Back to top : :