About Barry

I came to woodworking by an unexpected path. I was born and raised in a New York City housing project, where there was little opportunity for working with wood. Nearly fifty years ago, after moving out of the city, I discovered woodworking—and with it, a sense of calm, inspiration, and excitement that has stayed with me ever since.

I began by building jewelry boxes from plans found in woodworking magazines. While I was proud of those early pieces, I soon felt the urge to create something more personal. Over time, I began designing my own boxes, and today every piece I make is an original design.

I work with domestic, exotic, and reclaimed hardwoods, with a special appreciation for American chestnut. This remarkable wood is functionally extinct, and I carefully source it from demolished barns, homes, and other historic structures. Each piece carries its own story. I attach a descriptive brass plaque noting its provenance and include a fact sheet that shares the history of the structure from which the wood was reclaimed.

My boxes feature clean, elegant rabbet and miter joints—simple in form, yet refined in execution. I find deep satisfaction in “the process”: thoughtfully planning each step, anticipating what comes next, and then bringing that step to life. Designing new pieces continues to inspire me. One recent design incorporates an abstract, windswept tree rising up and over the box—an expression of resilience and growth.

The final stage—applying the finish—is always the most exciting. I use a botanical, polymerized tung oil with an organic citrus-based solvent rather than petroleum-based products. It offers high purity, low toxicity, and a subtle citrus aroma, enhancing both the beauty of the wood and the experience of working with it.

For me, woodworking is more than craft. It reflects the journey I’ve taken—from an inner-city childhood to where I stand today. Each piece is not only shaped by hand, but shaped by that journey as well.

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