Chrome is the standard against which all other pen hardware gets measured — clean, bright, and honest in the way it reflects exactly what's around it. Paired with a hand-turned wood body, it creates a combination that has been working for decades because it works: the...
Behind the Grain Blog
Slimline Pens in Colors – Vibrant Expression in Every Stroke
Not every pen needs to be serious. Some pens should make you happy the moment you pick them up — a flash of color that says something about who you are before you've written a single word. Rex turns these slimline pens in his Tucson workshop and fits them with...
Slimline Copper Pens – Warm Elegance with Artisan Soul
Copper is warm, earthy, and distinctly different from the chrome and gold that dominate most pen hardware options. Rex has been working copper accents into his turned pieces for years because he understands what the material does when it's paired with wood: it deepens...
Secret Compartment Candleholders – Fruitwood Mystery | Hidden Storage Art
These aren't ordinary candleholders — they're beautiful storage solutions disguised as elegant lighting accessories. Rex crafts each one from fruit wood with a hidden compartment that's perfect for small treasures you want to keep safe and secret. The secret...
Hand-Turned Walnut Bowl – Rich Chocolate Beauty | Classic Wood Art
Some pieces just have presence, and this walnut bowl is one of them. Rex spent three days with this particular piece of wood, following its grain and natural flow to create something that feels like it grew into this shape rather than being carved. Walnut is the...
Wooden Hair Stick – Captured Ball Design | Handcrafted Hair Accessory
This isn't just a hair stick — it's wearable sculpture that happens to be perfect for securing your hair in style. Rex designed this piece with a captured ball that moves freely within the stick, creating a fascinating tactile element that people always notice. The...
Madrone Burl Bowl – Pacific Coast Beauty | Natural Art Centerpiece
Madrone burl is one of nature's most spectacular creations, and this bowl showcases exactly why. The intricate grain patterns swirl and dance through the wood like frozen music, creating a piece that's mesmerizing to look at and satisfying to use. Rex discovered this...
Handcrafted Broaches – Eclectic Art Collection | Wearable Sculptures
These aren't just broaches — they're miniature art pieces that happen to be perfect for adding personality to any outfit. Rex and Dawn create each broach from workshop scraps, combining different woods with colorful resins to create wearable sculptures that are...
Brass Bell with Wood Handle – Musical Art | Handcrafted Sound Maker
Some sounds just make you smile, and this beautiful brass bell with its hand-turned wooden handle creates exactly that kind of joy. Rex crafts each wooden handle from different woods, creating unique pieces that feel as good as they sound. The brass bell produces a...









