GRAIN TURNER GIFTS

Grain – noun: roughness in texture of wood, stone, etc. Made from various hardwood species and custom resin pours, each of the products in the Grain Turner Wood & Resin Art line of writing instruments and accessories boast a one-of-a-kind finish, with layers of depth and movement created either through the natural grain of the wood or through the dyes and pigments used in the resin pours. Launched in 2023, the company is the brainchild—and handiwork—of Cary Bone, who fell in love with high quality writing implements during college. “I took a drafting class, and there was just something about the way the drafting pencil and pen felt gliding parallel to the edge of the ruler that gave me a greater appreciation for writing instruments,” he says.

And so, he began making his own—so many, in fact that it “got out of hand,” as Bone admits. After attending several local artisan markets and realizing how much interest there was in his products he decided to turn his craft into an actual business.

Born and raised in Alabama, Bone is based in New Market and draws particular inspiration from the South. “Being an avid outdoorsman, nature inspires each product,” he says. “I tend to gravitate toward coastal and beach-inspired resin pours and earth tones as featured in products made from whiskey barrel staves. Many of my products are also made from hardwoods native to the region, including pecan, maple, walnut, and black cherry. Additionally, some of my more popular hybrid resin pours are made from stabilized sweet gum pods and custom resin pours.”

Adding to the uniqueness of his products, Bone uses authentic whiskey barrel staves once used to age whiskey for some, making them the perfect gift for whiskey or bourbon aficionados. Grain Turner products also include rollerball pens, fountain pens, seam rippers, and bottle stoppers, all created using hardwood or resin.

“Each handcrafted instrument is truly one-of-a-kind. Emphasis is placed on form, fit, finish, and function., he says. “Hours are spent working to achieve these, every time. Additionally, the material and techniques used gives each handcrafted instrument history. While there are many beautiful, mass-produced instruments on the market, they lack the personal touches required to give the instrument a soul.”

Grain Turner products can be purchased online at grainturner.com and various local markets.

Written by Liesel Schmidt