Glen & Sherry Barrow of WOODSWAN: Where Trees Talk and Stories Take Shape
In the quiet curve of Glencoe, Glen and Sherry Barrow are in constant conversation—not just with customers, but with the wood itself. “The trees tell you what they want to be,” Glen says. “It’s not just woodworking. It’s listening.”
As the creative minds behind WOODSWAN, the Barrows craft heirloom furniture from locally sourced timber—pieces that have landed in Architectural Digest and homes from Glencoe to Hollywood, while staying deeply rooted in Lincoln County soil.
From Forest Thinning to Functional Art
The WOODSWAN story began in 1995, when the Barrows—avid hikers and early members of the Ruidoso Forest Coalition—attended a meeting with the state forestry department in Carrizozo. The discussion centered on forest thinning, and the waste left behind. “They were looking for someone to do something useful with what came out of the forest,” Sherry recalls. “We couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
What began as a shavings operation evolved into something more ambitious. Glen, who had been woodworking since middle school, started salvaging larger trees and milling them by hand. Then came the Little Bear Fire, which wiped out much of their supply. “We thought we’d have to stop,” Glen says. “But instead, we adapted.”
That adaptability—and reverence for the material—has become WOODSWAN’s signature. “It’s Mother Nature’s art,” Glen explains. “We’re just here to enhance it.”
Crafting a Philosophy, One Piece at a Time
The furniture they create isn’t mass-produced. It’s Mountain Modern—clean lines, natural edges, and functionality that speaks. “Form follows function, always,” Glen says. “But we want it to be a showstopper, too.”
Every piece is made in their Glencoe studio, using wood that can take years to properly season. Some of Glen’s tools are over a century old, passed down or carefully sourced. “There’s history in the tools and in the wood,” he says. “It’s like collaborating with time itself.”
Sherry, the design mind behind many pieces, works closely with customers to ensure the final product reflects both the tree’s natural shape and the client’s needs. She writes a personal story for each piece—a narrative of the wood’s origin, transformation, and future home. “People love the story,” she says. “It’s what makes the piece feel like theirs.”
From Etsy to Editorial Fame
In their early days, Glen and Sherry were among the first to sell tree stump nightstands on Etsy. The platform named them “Seller of the Year,” and their visibility snowballed. “We didn’t expect to end up in places like Architectural Digest or in Reese Witherspoon’s house,” Sherry laughs. “That piece ended up there completely by chance—and five years later, the editors came back for more.”
It was through keyword strategy and organic search that Google found them for a Cambridge interior project. “We’ve found that the internet has been even better for us than traditional press,” Glen says. “But we’re still honored when the magazines call.”
Local Roots, Lasting Impact
Despite their international reach, WOODSWAN remains proudly, stubbornly local. “We could live anywhere,” Glen says, “but we chose this place on purpose. It’s the best geographic location in the country—hands down.”
The Barrows support the ENMU-Ruidoso art program, collaborate with local makers like Terri from the White Mountain Marketplace, and host a growing “WoodSwan Club” of repeat customers who have become close friends. “We did a buffet for a family in Ruidoso, and then another piece for their relatives,” Sherry says. “It’s a web of connection.”
Though the scale of their work prevents them from participating in traveling art shows, they’ve opened their space to other creatives during local loops and gatherings. “We’re not just making furniture,” Sherry says. “We’re making a community—one table at a time.”
Reflections and Looking Forward
Ask what fulfills them most, and the answer comes without hesitation: the people. “We meet incredible folks through this work,” Glen says. “They share their lives with us, and we get to be part of their homes.”
For Sherry, the joy is in watching something evolve from a raw, overlooked slab into a centerpiece. “A friend once told us we were turning ugly ducklings into swans,” she says. “That’s where the name came from—WOODSWAN. We try to honor that transformation with everything we do.”
Their advice for emerging artisans? “Create. Learn. Fail. Try again,” Glen says. “Use your hands and your heart.” Sherry adds, “Work on yourself as you build your craft. That’s how you find your voice—and your version of success.”
As for what’s next, the Barrows simply smile. “There are always new projects in the making,” Glen says. “The trees keep talking—and we’re still listening.”
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