Franklin Gilmer
Gillsville, GA
Franklin Gilmer
(770) 869-3392
My name is Franklin Gilmer from a community in southeast Hall County called Peckerwood.
I’m an old dude working with weakened hands and sore knees.
My first venture in woodworking was shortly after being married with no money for furniture, an attempt at whiskey barrel chairs and table. My desire was to have a round oak table. When I was able to acquire a few tools, I made an oak table for the home but someone saw it and wanted to purchase it so 50 tables later I still do not have an oak table for myself.
I work not only in oak but also recently in antique pine. I try to harvest old wood from different structures that were built as far back as 150 years. Some people probably think it needs to be burned around a wash pot, but nothing has the patina and mellowness of this aged wood.
My style of work breaks from traditional style. After seeing furniture by Sam Maloof, the acclaimed woodworker from California I work some of the elements of his design in my work.
My workplace is a tin shack with a dirt floor and saw dust halfway to the rafters. People tell me I need to find something easier to do, but there is nothing I love more.
My work can be seen when available at Main Street Gallery in Clayton, GA.
