The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County

Looking for a last minute gift? Local artisan Barry Gilbert creates wooden showpieces

Gilbert

Winnsboro resident Barry Gilbert has been working with wood, a craft he taught himself through trial and error, for over 20 years.

“I love every part of wood working. I can take a slab of a dried tree and turn it into an item that means something to someone, something both of us can be proud of,” Gilbert says.

“There’s a fine line between art and firewood,” Gilbert said. “No two items are the same because they are handmade. I enjoy pushing the limit and experimenting to see what we can do to make a showpiece.”

Gilbert mostly uses sapele, a wood native to tropical Africa that looks like mahogany. He combines it with Maple for a sharp contrast.

A typical project takes at least two weeks. Though the items come together quickly, Gilbert takes extra care to make sure the finishings are perfect. His goal is to create a product that will last through family generations.

Gilbert makes boxes that begin at $40, humidors that can cost as much as $650.

Contact: (803) 223-1891

www.Code3Wood.com

Email:barry@gilbertconsultants.com