From a back road in the redwoods, to a hidden valley in myrtlewood country, and out of our own workshop in an 80 acre forest reserve overlooking the Olympic mountains, we offer you the best figured wood grains and craftsmanship this region offers. Every item offered in the gallery was chosen for it`s quality and the individual talent of the artist.  Our artists vary from retired airline pilots to talented woodworker-business people to eccentric woodworking folks.

 

Every few months we travel down the coast and visit the people we work with.  We buy the best of what we see and often commission work for the gallery and our regular customers. We purchase our collection directly from the artists and do not consign, which keeps us very focused about what we bring into Forest Gems to offer our customers.  Our close involvement with what we represent is extremely important. Our artist mix and our own figured woods give Forest Gems an unusual combination of materials and talent.  Every item we carry is by its nature extremely limited in quantity, and are fine examples of regional woodcrafts.

  
 

Above is a friend`s home and workshop in Oregon. From our workshop near Port Townsend comes custom work as varied as rustic and fine finished fireplace mantles to delicate pens.  Right now, big and small burl tables and a redwood burl bed are occupying my time.  My traditional line consists of hand mirrors, barrettes, clocks, turnings, and barometers. My pens are the best quality, with original shapes and functional designs.  Below is part of  Moondance a 60 inch long custom wall piece which recently sold.

 

I like tactile shapes and original designs, with the wood grains, patterns, and feel of the wood inspiring me. Some of my designs have been sold for 30 years and have become cherished family heirlooms.  My work has found homes in virtually every country in the world, representing the region`s artistry to travelers who found me at the Pike Place Market crafts line from 1976 to 2000, and now at Forest Gems. My wife Susan has been the helpful and smiling face of Forest Gems for so many of our customers since we opened in Port Townsend in 1996.  Forest Gems would not be the same without her efforts.