barry's bio

With over 30 years of varied experience working in several diverse media, Barry Gross is an artisan who enjoys creating his fine writing instruments!  He is an artisan who is inspired by nature and the rich textures of all the distinctive exotic materials he utilizes to create his one-of-a-kind fine writing instruments. His ongoing curiosity to discover more and diverse materials to create his unique pens is a driving force behind what inspires his creativity.

Creating fine writing instruments from re-cycled material such as watch parts, shipwreck coins, cigar labels, Cholla cactus, walrus Oosik, beer caps, jeweled beetle wings, surgical blades and sutures.  Many hours of preparation and execution are needed to create a fine writing instrument such as a watch pieces fountain pen.  This has led to his receiving a prestigious Readers’ Choice Award from Pen World Magazine; an honor that has only been bestowed on one other independent pen maker.

He has published over 70 articles in several woodworking magazines and is an author of six books on turning and pen making.  He is a member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW), Bucks County Woodturners, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman, Pen Makers Guild and was chosen to join the National Register of Who’s Who for executives and professionals. 

He is a guest speaker / presenter at many woodworking shows and turning clubs throughout the northeast and has been chosen to demonstrate his pen techniques at three AAW symposiums. He teaches the art of pen making at various schools through the country such as Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Peters Valley and Marc Adams School of Wood Working.

Barry was commissioned by the “White House” to make pens as gifts to be given to foreign dignitaries and his pens can be found in the pockets of several famous individuals including Steven Spielberg, Jimmie Buffet, Greg Norman, the former Speaker for The House of Representatives, Norwegian concert pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and many local and state politicians.

Every piece of wood or recycled material is thoughtfully chosen to compliment both the style of pen and the finish which is hand applied. This unique combination creates a one-of-a-kind fine writing instrument that will be admired by all who own and use it. Thank you for visiting my site and I hope you will enjoy your fine writing instrument!