fgloper@charter.net

Cherry Credenza in Baroque style

(2002 Blue Ribbon Winner)

Farrest is a life-long part-time woodworker who acquired an education in furniture design and craftsmanship and now devotes full-time toward his love for woodworking.  His primary interest has recently shifted from building cabinets, Southwestern and contemporary styles of furniture to period furniture as a reproduction or a fresh design. 

His current objectives are to make several pieces of accent furniture and some special architectural trim and built-ins, enter more juried furniture shows, and perhaps sell a piece now and then.

Farrest has had a good long career in electronics engineering and management.  His companies moved him all over the U.S., dragging along a workshop that continued to grow.  He has purchased 13 houses, built three shops, a barn and set up six garages for serious woodworking.  His last corporate assignment was in San Diego.  Farrest and his wife, Dixie, are originally from Wyoming.

His education includes an engineering degree and courses at Palomar College in San Marcos, California.  Both have shaped his approach to the design process.  Classes and projects at Palomar included such things as Studio Furniture Design, Furniture History, Advanced Machine Joinery, Cabinet Making and Installation, Production Carving (by hand) and Finishing, along with occasional assistance to the instructors. Of course, shop classes in high school really began the education.

Farrest grew up in the family machine shop and became an accomplished machinist and welder by the age of 12. At 16, his first project was a 4’ x 8’ speedboat built from a Popular Mechanics plan.  Throughout his career, woodworking has provided a solid refuge from corporate stress and the satisfaction of having something immediately tangible to look at when you are done.  He loves the joy of design almost as well as the construction.

Farrest recently joined the Siskiyou Woodworkers Guild and is a member of the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association.  He enjoys the camaraderie, the friendships developed and the sharing of techniques that the organization provides.