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Special Review
Morlan's Unique Wood Gifts that is featured in the January 2005, issue of Five Star Reviews Magazine.
By Kelly Wittman
Exquisite taste. Beautiful craftsmanship. A continual quest for
excellence. These three elements combine to make J.W. Morlan's
Unique Wood Gifts (www.morlanwoodgifts.com) one of the finest
purveyors of individually-made solid wood items in the world. As a
young boy helping his father with carpentry jobs, Johnny Morlan
could never guess that one day his gorgeous wood pieces would adorn
not only the finest American and European homes, but would even be
presented to the President and First Lady of the United States.
When Johnny was just seven years old, living in Moberly, Missouri
with his family, he began assisting his father, working on various
carpentry projects. By the time he was a teen, the artistry that
would later make him such a success was already apparent. "My dad
would get annoyed with me because I would always want to make the
finish mouldings and cabinets more intricate," Johnny chuckles. He
loved making small wood objects, but was often told by his father
and others that there just wasn't a market for such items. "Well,
in 1989, I stopped listening to the nay-sayers," Johnny says, "and
I've never looked back."
Having already worked for a furniture contractor and in the lumber
and hardware businesses, he had a solid base of knowledge as he
founded J.W. Morlan's Unique Wood Gifts. But he also had a passion
to keep learning and growing in his craft, reading over 220 books
on the subject and constantly striving for perfection. Now working
in Lubbock, Texas and a recognized master in his trade, Johnny
Morlan has worked with over 350 species of wood and keeps more than
125 species in stock. He cares deeply about the environment, works
with woods endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance Smart Wood Program,
and in the last few years was nominated for several distinguished
leadership awards.
Johnny sent me three pieces recently: The Americana Letter Opener,
The Desk Set, and The Music Keepsake Box. The sleek, elegant
Americana Letter Opener ($39.95) is made from Teak wood imported
from Burma, India. Its titanium-plated blade has the rich look of
24kt gold and would be a tasteful addition to any home or office.
The Desk Set ($95.95) is made from Paela wood imported from
Bolivia. The sharp lines of its wood give it an almost art deco
look, and its pen, base, and business card holder are 24kt
gold-plated for the sophisticated look today's upscale businessman
or woman demands. The Music Keepsake Box ($164.95), carved from
striped Sapele wood from West Africa, makes a gift that any wife,
mother, or daughter would cherish for a lifetime. Textured ruby red
cathedral stained glass tops the beautiful Sapele wood, the stripes
of which give the illusion of changing color when walking by or
turning it over in one's hands. Like everything Johnny Morlan
painstakingly and lovingly makes, it is a treasure that begs to be
handed down from one generation to the next.
I guess what I love the most about J.W. Morlan's Unique Wood Gifts
is that it suits any gift-giving need. Whether you're looking for
an impressive corporate gift for a higher-up with whom you play
golf once a year, or presenting the love of your life with a
romantic piece that will become a family heirloom, you can find it
on Johnny's fascinating, easy-to-use website
(www.morlanwoodgifts.com). Jewelry boxes, humidors, single handgun
cases, and more are clearly presented. With each gift, Johnny
offers a lovely Certificate of Genuineness on which he will write
your own personal message. And if you have a special, unique
request, don't hesitate to ask! Johnny Morlan has already proven
the nay-sayers wrong, but he's always up for the next challenge.
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