Amazing store. Love browsing this gallery. I've purchased several items for my home here over the years as well as gifts for my family. We love the quality craftsmanship of the local artists showcased here. Come check them out! read more

Wonderfully curated gallery of wood craft including a nice collection of native art. I've purchased several items for our home as well as some wood for my own woodshop. Great selection of flattened live edge and local woods. Bonnie is great and Harvey loves a good conversation. (I sense he is sometimes misunderstood by customers. Personally, I enjoy shooting the breeze with Harvey and have picked up a few useful tips for my own woodworking. He is truly a character.) We always visited the Port Townsend gallery, but I think I prefer the Port Hadlock location. No issues with parking and the more remote surroundings fit the vibe. Forest Gems is a a real gem of a place. read more

Wonderful store, wonderful people, excellent service. If you're looking for a gift for yourself or someone special, I would bet this place would have something perfect. We've been going to Forest Gems for probably 15 years or so. My husband is always looking for projects, and Harvey (the owner) always has a lot of raw wood from which to choose. I, on the other hand, like all the things that I can just buy. It occurred to me this morning that we have something from Forest Gems in every room, and they always illicit complementary comments from visitors. I encourage you to check this place out ; you won't be sorry. read more

Complains about being bullied on yelp.... When all the helpers are here because he bullied them in some way (shouting, crass and belittling attitude, intimidating body language). Your shop has great stuff and I want to like it. But my wife won't go anywhere near that place and I'm only ever visiting Port Townsend with her accompaniment. I like the items in your store. You did yell at her. And no she did not break or scratch anything. Have you tried being nicer to people? You can negotiate a better outcome where both the customer has a better understanding of your store rules without bullying it into them by simply speaking maturely. I see you're at only 2 stars so I gave you three to bring your reviews up a bit, but man, the "DARVO" is real here. Deny.Attack. Reverse Victim and Offender. There's no need for all of that. Just speak easier with people and none of this drama will ever have been a problem. The only other stores in the immediate port Townsend area I see with this many negatives are McDonalds, Safeway, and Starbucks. Most local shops of Port Townsend actually have raving reviews on Yelp. It's not like "every shop" in Port Townsend has these kind of reviews. You need to reflect on why they're happening specifically to you. read more

The customer service is something to be desired here. Overpriced wood slabs and items. I like the concept of this shop a lot and have an appreciation for handcrafted art, but I avoid this shop when visiting. I was going to wait outside as some out-of-town guests wanted to go in and take a look around, but they quickly turned around and were turned off by the gentleman's attitude toward them. You feel like you have to walk on eggshells in here. No thank you. read more

Very interesting display of art made out of wood from different types of trees. The owner was great and spent time with us explaining the background and history of the pieces. Good range of prices so you can shop small or large. Unique and a find! read more

This is a wonderful find! What an amazing gathering of talent among the artists. I had a great conversation with Harvey, the person who manages this unique and magical place. Yes, there are some "house rules" and there needs to be since not everyone understands how to be respectful of others. I plan to spend a percentage of all my future paychecks here, as long as this store continues to exist. Sally is my Yelp name. read more

To clarify I did not remove my review. He made me unable to review as I will show in pictures. He also attempted to fake his own company reviews on Yelp. But unlike Facebook, Yelp didn't allow for his bullshit. This is why reviewers use Yelp. Because assholes like you can't hide your heads up your asses while you lie and delete things. Additionally, I did not play with the lighthouse like it was a toy. I gently lifted it, looked at it, and when yelled at sat it down. I didn't scrape or slide anything. Next point: given that my real, very uncommon name is AOLANI and I use my name here on Yelp, you are a moron for even trying to make the point that "on Facebook people would know who you are." If they're on Yelp, they know how to use Google. And my name is not a hard one to look up or hide behind. My name makes it pretty easy for ANYONE to know who I am. Also, why on earth would I care that people know I think you're an asshole? You are! And i don't have any problems with letting people know that so they don't have to go through the same bullshit situation I did with you. I want people to leave the beautiful city you are located within feeling good and it is not easy for them to do that with some asshole coming around the corner yelling at everyone. Port Townsend is great. The people there are great. The businesses there are great. All but one person at least (yourself). Ever single other person has made my DOZENS of trips to Port Townsend lovely. I've bought from the local art galleries, I've bought from each of the coffee shops and many of the restaurants. The bakery is AMAZING. Everything about port Townsend is great except for you. Final: my review and many others' reviews still stand. I leave more positive reviews on businesses than negative ones, but you are a nasty person and you earned the one star. All youve done here so far is confirmed the reviewers' points that you are the one who is actually lying and that you're incredibly unpleasant. You need to check your attitude because you are a nasty person who seems to have a control complex, ESPECIALLY toward women. Guess mommy didn't give you enough attention. Notes: image one is of your self review being rejected by Yelp. Image 2 is forest gems Facebook from my accounts perspective (under do you recommend there should be a yes or no, there isn't one). And image 3 shows what it should look like using my husbands account. read more

Looking at the other reviews, there isn't much I can add. But, I do think they deserve 2 stars, instead of 1, for the amazing inventory I saw through the window and up to the moment I received my own personal dressing down. I thought I would check reviews to see if I am really deserving of the lecture I received or whether it was a business practice. Maybe an additional sign that says, "Dressing downs are provided free upon entry?" read more

Also, you keep telling everyone to look at your Facebook where you delete reviews you don't like and claim other people deleted them? Then all you have left are positive reviews from people who live in Port Townsend instead of the supposed tens of thousands of tourist customers? Yet you're on here whining about how fake Yelp and Yelp reviewers are while you fake your reviews on another platform then try to boast about that review platform? Yeah, okay. You haven't once amended for your attitudes to any person on here. Some of these reviewers even offered to change their review if you were willing to work with them and you still refuse. So take your own fake ass back to Fakesville and stay where you belong while you hypocritically whine about how fake everyone else is. No one needs to hear your bullshit. read more

If you're looking for some absolutely stunning authentic art with wood this is your place to go. The prices seem honestly fair for the volume of work and care it takes to make all of the products. The man in the store is certainly abrasive, which was very unappreciated... but I understand the notion of keeping your art perfect. I could suggest some compassion and not speaking in such a scolding rude way. Overall, gorgeous work. Go if you can appreciate that and respect the store owners wishes... don't go if rude people get under your skin. read more

Me and my husband decided to make a trip up to Port Townsend. We wandered upon the Forest Gem store and my husband being an avid collector of beautiful wood projects was in heaven. He immediately walked in and pulled out his phone to take a picture of a wooden chest he was admiring (at the same time I noticed the "No pictures signs" all around the store) I turned to let him know to put the phone away but the store attendant beat me too it. He was very harsh and yelled at him from across the store. My husband immediately apologized but the man continued to scold him like a child. At that time I had heard enough and we left. I don't understand how you can treat customers like that and continue to run a successful business. My husband made an honest mistake because he was truly excited. We will not be returning to this business. 9/5/16 I can assure you we have not been back in since the initial visit. If you have proof that me or my husband came to harass you I would love to see it. read more

I moved to the great Northwest 10 years ago. I fortunately found Forest Gems when I was looking for a large massive design rocking chair. I found that chair which over the years has been the center piece of my house. Every person who sees this artfully created throne is in awe of it's beauty and comfort. In a home surrounded by collectable ceramic art and paintings this bigger than life chair made of sycamore, juniper and maple burl commands attention. Many other wood items decorate our house from wall hangings to lamps from Forest Gems. If you like unique, one of a kind furniture you will find it in Port Townsend. As a return customer I saw the shop where the wood is dried before being used for all the treasures they have. Talk about getting a piece right from the shop! Only a shop owner who cares about you would go to that extent to help you get the exact thing you want or need. I got to choose from 7 rockers at least when I got my rocker. It felt perfect and fit my body perfectly. Some I sat in where definitely made for someone else! If you are in PT visiting be sure to visit this shop...I am glad I did! read more

Forest Gems Gallery - Center piece of our home - Art Galleries Near Me - Port Hadlock-Irondale, Washington

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I totally agree with all the other negative reviews. This guy is unhinged, I can't wait for his counter review, and his justification like he does to everyone else's low rating reviews. I wish Yelp had a 0 star rating, because that is what he'd get from me. He's obviously worried about Yelp reviews, and obviously he has internet because he posts on Yelp. He makes false unfounded assumptions that 1 star reviewers won't purchase, did he ever think that by berating customers before they can look around is the reason they walk? He also likes to compliment himself on his outstanding sales, did he ever think how good his sales would be if he was nice to customers? Maybe he should have a basket out front like in "Better Call Saul", for people to deposit all electronic devices. Good luck to his business, by going off on customers for pulling out a cell phone. He is totally rude to customers, especially when they are trying to use their phone to let someone know where they are, and to come check out the beautiful woodwork in his shop. I wonder how many sales he has lost because of his adversarial attitude to potential customers telling them not to have their phone out? If he has not noticed, society has moved on from living in a off-the-grid cabin in Lincoln, MT, smart phones are here to stay! It's obvious by his pages long justification of his behavior that it's time for him to grow up, and treat customers right or start writing his manifesto. If you want to see this guy get triggered, pull out your phone! read more

The art in the store is stunning. I appreciate the no phone rule. Taking time to simply look around and appreciate the craftsmanship without distractions was refreshing. Also, it occurred to me that if I really want my friends to see something I liked, I should buy it or give them the directions to this very cool store. read more

Exceptionally rude, condescending. Prices have skyrocketed over the past few years with no change in quality

Don't shop here There is something wrong with the man who owns this shop. He would rather argue with a person who had a bad experience at his store than offer an apology. I changed my original post in hopes that it would be some sort of peace offering to a man who seems deeply disturbed. Calling my review of exactly what happened when I attempted to make a purchase at his shop "an attack" ITS A REVIEW! I can understand your hatred for yelp seeing as you are a hateful person. But the complete lack of any diplomacy or attempted customer service is rather unbelievable. You obviously do not know how yelp works..you just saw that at any point a reviewer can change their review. Instead of taking that as an opportunity to improve your relationship with the people who believe they were wronged while trying to shop at your store, and thus improving your yelp rating. You continue to post inane, nonsensical, rude, rambling replies. I will never understand people like you and thanks to yelp I can usually avoid them. Just wish I had read the other reviews before i came in your over priced TOURIST TRAP! read more

I'm honored - the shop owner is willing to pay me $5K to take a polygraph test, and he only offers the other reviewer $1K. He must like me. In any case, in the over 2 years since I left my review, he's gotten us confused with some other potential customer that he yelled out of his store. read more

Very rude. While not only being the worst customer service I have EVER experienced this store is the most pretentious and over priced store I have had the displeasure to set foot in. Waste of my time and a total waste of space. read more

First off, I love the hand crafted products in this store. I have spent a lot of money, numerous times collecting 1 of a kind hand carved wooden pieces in the past. There are so many things to choose from. If you are a lover of hand crafted wood carved excellence then this place has a lot of options. He is the best wood crafter in the Pacific North West. Secondly and sadly, the owner of this delightful shop is a bitter, unfriendly person. He makes going into the shop almost unbearable. Over the last fifteen years or more I have gone into the shop and spent large amounts of money on beautiful items, from big pieces to small but I will not support this man or his business any longer. In the past, I would enter the store and be greeted by warm and welcoming staff. They made the experience enchanting. In recent years the owner chooses to run the store himself. The owner, a grumpy man, won't hesitate to ridicule how one must go about his store and it is down right insulting. Yes, we need to be careful while in the store He has insulted me on the last few visits when I have been in the store. A few weeks ago, while visiting the shop I had my cell phone in my hand and pointing at items I was interested in while talking with a family member and while browsing and he yelled at me, saying I was taking pictures. He yelled saying,"stop taking pictures!!! No pictures!!! There are camera's, I can see you, put your phone away in my store!!!" He grumbled more insults at me that I didn't understand and I was so appalled I quickly left. I felt attacked by this man who if he was nicer, would have made a hefty profit from me that day. Never again will I go into the shop and be insulted by the insensitive and mean owner. Other patrons, you have been forewarned. Now if the man I am referring to may not be the owner but he is there most of the time. He is a large, unhappy, brown haired man who has a short pony tail. Owner or staff, whichever you are, you need to take a lesson in kindness and hospitality. Furthermore, if this man knew anything about how to utilize social media for free exposure he would let customers photograph the one of a kind pieces. It's not like they could be recreated. If I did happen to take pictures, which I did not, I could have posted them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, linking the shop to them and given him free advertising. Most shops, those who utilize opportunities of the 21st. century, often encourage it. He should consider this option before yelling at customers who may or may not be photographing inside the store. Mr. I hope you are reading this and I hope you are kinder to your customers. read more

I had a fine experience at Forest Gems the other day. My favorite aspect of the store was the "no cell phone" policy. In a perfect world, this would be the norm. Though, I wasn't overly impressed by the wood kitsch, but I'm sure it sells well these days. By no means art, but and admirable trade none the less. read more

I've been shopping here and bringing friends and family for years. They consistently have high quality handcrafted items. It's true the owner can be gruff but lovable and not everyone lives to please Yelp reviewers- it's Port Townsend! He has interesting stories to tell of his days in Pike Place Market and as a longtime woodworker and has a good heart. Just leave the cell phone in your pocket and nobody gets hurt. read more

My two experiences in this shop were horrible, I tried it once and thought I would try it again a few years later to see if anything had change. My basic experience were these: 1) I felt like the owner was way too heavy handed and had this overwhelming energy of being right and self righteous the entire time, he gave me this condescending feeling like he was " the creator and master of wood and holds all the cards in the pacific NW woods. He was arrogant and seemed very insecure with his whole program. 2) When I wanted to look at or pick up something, he would charge over and instruct me how to do it and why he would do it that way and Im like , what the heck? Don't touch, don't photograph, don't move.! " Just give me you money and leave" ... After a while he started going off on a rage about this and that and yelling at me and talking about things that were not even related to the subject at hand. 3) As far as the photo thing goes, this is way out of line, talk about trying to kill business and customers, this goes back to the arrogance of thinking he has the "magic keys to wood" and to photograph them, would be stealing his secrets, what a sad short sighted vision." 4) after talking to several woodworking pros in town, Ive found that the owner does not mill his own lumber, nor build the furniture that he says he does. Ive found his claims false and nearly all his products are built buy someone else, which is fine, but why lie about it? seems like with all the negative reviews about the same attitude surrounding this guy, can all the people be wrong? read more

Great experience at this gallery! Reasonable prices. We stopped in on a weekend trip to Port Townsend. Will certainly go back again!

I have been in this gallery several times. I am always amazed at the beauty and talent the artists share. I wish I could buy everything but then no one else would get to enjoy the beautiful handcrafted art. The manager Ann is always a delight and adds even more depth to this unique place. Her wit and pure enthusiasm for the artists sell the pieces every time. Thank you Ann for the great advise on gifts through out the years. read more

I have been to this gallery several times. I am always amazed at how beautiful all the pieces are. I wish I could buy everything but then no one else would get to experience the hand crafted beauty the artists bring out in their work. Ann is a brilliant addition to the place. Her knowledge and pure love for the pieces in the store is what brings me back time after time. Thank you so much for you great gift ideas. Forest Gems has a true gem in it's presence. read more

The other reviews are spot on! My wife wanted a wildly overpriced table from here for mothers day so I went over to check it out. I get 10 ft inside the door and text her to let her know I was there and to meet me. From across the room I hear "HEY GUY! DONT YOU SEE MY NO CELL PHONE SIGNS?" Really? You refer to your customers as "HEY GUY"? Someone that was about to drop almost $1000 and you treat them like that? The other customers in the store looked pretty disgusted and left with me. I met my wife outside and we went someone else. The people that work here are complete assholes just as the other reviews say. Oh well. If you want to pay about 1/2 the price of the junk in here there are a lot of way better places in Port Townsend. Also dont even think about buying any of the lumber here. Its laughably over priced. Go up to Edensaw and get the same quality lumber and slabs for hundreds less. Started asking around at the other businesses and it seems this place has quite the well known d-bag reputation around the entire area. I have a sneaky suspicion these high star reviews are fake and written from the owners themselves. read more

Please beware as this business loves to berate anyone that gives him a negative review on Yelp. There are other stores with much better pieces...do not waste your time. The customer service at this location is TERRIBLE. Why give your well-earned money to a store that does not provide quality customer service? For small businesses such as this one, it is nice to have store owner/associate that is willing to talk to you about the individual pieces you are interested in and that appreciates your business; you will NOT get that at this store. read more

I'm not sure where all the negative reviews are coming from, but my wife and I have been browsing this shop for years and have never had a bad experience. We were there this past weekend and had a very enjoyable chat with the owner on Saturday. He helped us pick through slabs of wood to find just the right pieces and offered advice about the project I am starting. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday when I went back in to get additional wood - he was very warm, friendly and funny. He was also generous with advice and sharing his woodworking expertise with this admitted novice. I recommend this shop to anyone who enjoys wood and wood craftsmanship and is willing to leave their cell phone unused while in the store. read more

The pieces are beautiful but the plethora of no phones and no touch signs too much. We did not have a rude experience with the owner because he and the female clerk both ignored us when we were the only ones in the store. Would have purchased if offered any help. read more

Bad Service. I go to pick something up to show to someone, and I get yelled at. No phones allowed? Why? What could we do? While the items were cool, the prices were far too high and the man behind the counter was mean and I only picked up a Cribbage board, it was just some wood, with holes in it. Do not shop here. read more

Their products are beautiful, I walked in extremely interested in purchasing, but was not treated with the respect that a potential customer deserved. I happened to be with some Deaf-Blind and interpreting buddies of mine. Another reviewer mentioned how rude one of the shop keepers was, we were met with the same snippy, rude, impatient, not understanding customer service experience from a different worker. We did of course see the signs (they're literally plastered everywhere, which needless to say is anything but welcoming), however most individuals who are both deaf and blind have to use the other senses. That leaves among others...touch. I assumed that this shop would want to be accommodating to our group, or at least calmly explain their policy. We would have certainly been understanding and been comfortable negotiating another option, such as the shop worker holding anything they fear may be dropped, or politely asked us instead to try to explain using an interpreter. Instead we were glared down from the moment we walked into the store, watched the entire time, and eventually told we couldn't touch anything. Okay...fine. When one of our group said you know, that's the only way to "see" what it is, to know what they could potentially purchase, the shopkeeper had no response and instead retorted saying they just can't have people touching things. Okay, fine. If that is your policy, great. I don't know how they sell anything in a store where everything you can potentially buy is off-limits. As we were leaving she said that it may look like a museum in the store but that it was not. I do think that a museum tends to be a place where it is understood that you do not touch the artifacts as they are not intended to be purchased and are being preserved. A store, however, should be the opposite. Again, if your policy is "do not touch", fine, but simply respectfully mentioning that as we enter, getting rid of the unfriendly signage, and trying to work out another option with us are how to gain my business. Not through rude attitudes and unwavering stubbornness. Like the other reviewer with a similar experience said, I suggest one of the many other beautiful local wood furniture and art places who I'm sure would be much more willing to do what they can to earn and keep your business. Terrible experience. I know we're telling all of our friends, coworkers, family members about the awful experience we had on an otherwise extremely fun outing. read more