Meet Steve & Sandy Schoettle Owners of Sea Island Forge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve & Sandy Schoettle Owners.

Hi Steve & Sandy Schoettle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
SANDY:

When you get two creative people around a fire pit, especially during tougher times like the 2008 “Great Recession,” amazing things can happen. Our kids were both in college and we were seeking a new creative outlet—something that felt meaningful and productive for both of us. We tossed around lots of ideas, but then we realized the answer was right in front us: the hand made fire kettle we gathered around every evening to dream and reminisce. It was also where our kids wanted to hang out-phones down, present and engaged. Recognizing the value of that time together, we knew our calling was to create that experience for other families.

Steve was previously in construction, and he had already carved out a niche business on St Simons & Sea
Island as a talented custom metalsmith, crafting elegant, one-of-a-kind works of art – from gates and
banisters to timeless, custom metal designs. I’m also an artist, so we were able to bring all of that artisan experience to Sea Island Forge. Over time, we’ve create a unique fire kettle design and a collection of hand forged cooking attachments, in addition to kettle-inspired gifts and accessories.

STEVE:

We have not changed the design of our kettle much at all since that first prototype (inspired by
the classic southern plantation-style sugar kettles), and we still have the original kettle – which now dawns a great patina of memories we’ve shared with those we love over the past twelve years. Although we’ve standardized much of the fabrication process, each kettle is still hand finished, so no two are exactly alike. Our team of engineers
and craftsmen are true artisans, who take tremendous pride in forging products that are made to last forever.

Every detail has been considered, as I’m an engineer at heart. Our goal is to consistently elevate both form and function. It’s a given that our products have to be beautiful, but it’s equally important that they work exceptionally well, and endure both the elements and time. We say our kettles are “legacy quality,” because we expect every one to be passed eventually to the next generation. The Sea Island Forge kettle is a once in a lifetime investment.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
SANDY:

Working together in a family business has its unique challenges. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of a small business, living and breathing it at all hours. But then, Steve and I light a fire in our kettle, sit back, and remember what a gift it was to start Sea Island Forge and build this legacy. Its incredibly rewarding to create something meaningful together.

STEVE:

Someone asked us recently when we knew this was going to be a successful venture, and what we were going to end up doing. My answer was that we are still trying to get to the point where we can say for sure this is IT – – – this is what we are going to end up doing.

We are proud and excited that our kettles now grace the grounds of backyards all over the country, as well as numerous luxury resorts and fine dining facilities. But we are still working to push broader awareness of the Sea Island Forge brand beyond the south east region. Its a challenge to scale a hand-crafted product, and its an even bigger challenge to ship large, heavy products long distances. But we have a strong sense of direction, and we are looking forward to expanding our brand presence nationwide.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
SANDY (On our customers):

We have found that discerning homeowners and designers of luxury properties get our brand, and they value the high quality nature of a hand-crafted product, versus a mass produced fire element. They often refer to the
Sea Island Forge kettle as a functional piece of art. That means a lot to us. But our true purpose (our WHY) still centers around the lingered gatherings and multi-generational conversations that happen around the fire. Those experiences seem to become more rare and unfamiliar with every year that passes, but they still beckon the memories and moments that matter the most.

STEVE (On whats next):

Besides growing the brand, we are always designing and prototyping new products. Most of the cooking attachments that we’ve developed in the Classic Series came from aha moments in our own back yard. We’ve also worked with numerous professional chefs who have shared their own wish lists with us. One of the great things about having our own manufacturing and fabrication facility is that I can easily prototype new concepts – quickly. From those discussions, we’ve developed a full line of Professional Series attachments as well.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Our Mission

Sea Island Forge designs and manufactures handcrafted fire kettles and accessories that elevate outdoor gathering and shared experience. Built in-house with care, integrity, and attention to detail, each piece is made to last, physically, aesthetically, and emotionally. Sea Island Forge exists to offer an alternative to mass-produced
outdoor products, creating heirloom-quality pieces rooted in craft, tradition, and purpose, objects meant to be used, remembered, and passed down.

Our Values

G A T H E R I N G & H O S P I T A L I T Y: At the heart of Sea Island Forge is the belief that fire brings people together. We value generosity, warmth, and the quiet rituals of hosting, whether at home, on a ranch, or in a hospitality setting. Our products exist to support connection, not performance.

C R A F T & I N T E G R I T Y: We believe things worth owning should be made with care. Every Sea Island Forge
product reflects pride in workmanship, honesty in materials, and responsibility in how it is made. Craft is not a marketing story, it is the standard we hold ourselves to every day.

T H O U G H T F U L D E S I G N: Design is not just decoration. It is the careful consideration of form, function, and
experience. We design products that are intuitive to use, beautiful to live with, and considered in every detail, so they enhance moments rather than distract from them.

L O N G E V I T Y O V E R N O V E L T Y: We do not chase trends or seasonal relevance. Our products are made to endure – to age well, weather gracefully, and to be passed on to the next generation. Longevity is a value that shapes our design choices, materials, and business decisions.

C O N F I D E N C E W I T H O U T P R E T E N C E: We let the work speak for itself. Sea Island Forge operates with quiet confidence, grounded in experience, consistency, and earned credibility rather than hype or exaggeration. We value clarity, humility, and trust over volume and showmanship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://seaislandforge.com
• Instagram: @seaislandforge
• Facebook: @SeaIslandForge