I mentioned yesterday that I’m seeking out arts and other topics that feel comforting. Today’s artist caught my eye because our happiest times are ones spent on the water. We love kayaking around the wildlife refuge where we live, and we unfortunately can’t get our boats in the water right now. Seeing these beautiful wooden kayaks reminded me of better days.

While their boats are certainly gorgeous, what makes Pygmy Boats Inc. extra special is that they sell kits so you can build your own! All of their boat kits are built using this “stitch-n-glue” construction.

You can follow the amazing Pygmy Boats Inc. on their website and on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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Thanks to Vicky for sharing these lovely photos of her "socially isolated paddle" on Cultus Lake, BC this week. These are the things that keep us happy and sane- both getting on the water and even just living vicariously through those that can. Beautiful shots Vicky!! #buildyournextadventure #kayakkit #dontjustpaddleit #buildit #getoutside #staysafe #paddling #kayaking #woodenkayak #stitchandglue

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:19am PDT

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Dear Pygmy Community, As many of you likely know our headquarters are located in the lovely seaside town of Port Townsend, Washington (shown here from the water). In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Governor Inslee announced today the mandatory closure of all restaurants, bars, and recreational facilities in Washington state. We will be doing our part to protect our staff, customers and community and will therefore be closing our showroom doors to test paddling until further notice. However, we will continue to prioritize excellent customer service via phone and e-mail and we will still be shipping orders. So please, as always, do not hesitate to contact us with those construction and/or boat selection questions. Be well and let us know how we can support you. Sincerely, The Pygmy Crew #pygmyboats

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Mar 16, 2020 at 9:46pm PDT

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It’s spring cleaning time at Pygmy Boats! Which means inventory reduction and fantastic savings, but only while supplies last. Savings are big, like $312 off the Taiga wooden canoe kit shown here. But only for one week or until we run out, whichever happens first! This is a great opportunity to pick up that boat kit you’ve been dreaming about for years. #taigacanoe #woodencanoe #canoekit #woodcanoekit #buildyournextadventure #dontjustpaddleit #buildit #boatkit #woodenboat #canoeing #getoutside #getonthewater #diy #stitchandglue #plywoodcanoe #diycanoe #buildyourowncanoe #builtnotbought

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Mar 6, 2020 at 1:13pm PST

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Thanks to Kelli for sharing this nice shot of her recently finished Ronan 155 Pro. Lovely job Kelli! The wood dye really accentuates the paddle cutouts and makes it unique. #kayakbuilding #buildyourownkayak #kayakkit #woodenkayak #seakayak #pygmyboats #dontjustpaddleit #buildit #diykayak #buildyournextadventure #builtnotbought #ronankayak

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Feb 25, 2020 at 3:37pm PST

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In the summer of 2016 two young women (Uma Blanchard, 21, and Sophie Goeks, 20) became the youngest all-female team to circumnavigate Lake Superior by kayak. Their goal was to kayak the lake's 1,200-mile circumference in 90 days and to inspire other women to get outside. On August 18th, the duo completed the trip in 86 days. We had the pleasure of meeting Sophie at Canoecopia, where she proudly displayed her Pygmy Arctic Tern 17 that she built herself and then paddled on that incredible adventure. People who stumbled into our booth were shocked to learn that the beautiful kayak before them had so many miles under it's hull and it was great fun to share their story (some folks hardly believed us). You can read about their wonderful adventure in the pages of Small Boats Magazine (from the editors of @woodenboatmagazine ) in their latest edition. (https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/a-superior-circumnavigation/) #pygmyboats #lakesuperiorcircumnavigation #arctictern17 #kayakkit #buildyournextadventure #dontjustpaddleit #buildit #woodenkayak #lakesuperiormagazine #lakesuperior

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Jan 30, 2020 at 10:56am PST

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The Wineglass Wherry was first released in 1990 (!) and after 30 years her classic lines and stellar performance haven't lost any of their initial appeal: Last year she was our 3rd most popular boat kit. One customer letter sums it up nicely, "I have been in boats all of my life, commercial salmon, steal-head and trout fishing, canoeing and kayaking on rivers, and this is the best boat I have ever been in or ever will! I love this boat and I thank you for creating the kit for the boat. She is fast, stable and beautiful. It attracts a crowd wherever I go." Thanks, Patrick, Denver, CO #rowboatkit #woodenrowboat #wineglasswherry #pygmyboats #boatkit #buildyournextadventure

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Jan 15, 2020 at 12:43pm PST

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Happy New Year's Eve! Shown here is our best selling paddle of 2019, the Northpoint Greenland paddle. These paddles are handcrafted in Bellingham, WA, using various shades of Western Red Cedar. They are not just popular with our customers, we love them too (Pygmy Boats' Owner and Designer John Lockwood is shown here paddling with a Latona). #seakayaking #northpointpaddles #topkayakingaccessories #bestpaddles #woodenkayakpaddles #stickpaddling #pygmyboats #qajaq #greenlandpaddle

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Dec 31, 2019 at 3:47pm PST

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Top boats of 2012 #pygmyboats #kitkayaks #woodenboat #buildyourself

A post shared by Pygmy Boats Inc (@pygmyboats) on Nov 13, 2013 at 5:59pm PST