Entries by John Guertin

Hip-Deep in Sawdust

In this interview with Brent Ashcroft on ABC’s WZZM13, John Guertin discusses Barns Into Birdhouses, how he salvages parts of vintage barns to make his artistic creations for birds and bats. He also tells the story of President Gerald R. Ford and his personal support for his work. Check out the article for a deeper […]

Interview with MLive

John chats with MLive in Grand Rapids, Michigan about his conservationist roots & discusses the origins of Barns Into Birdhouses. Check out the interview with Hope Davison from MLive!

Smithsonian “Craft Optimism” 2021 Exhibit

Barns Into Birdhouses recently returned to the Smithsonian Museum’s Craft and Design Show. This time, for the 2021 “Craft Optimism” Exhibit, an event highlighting commitment to the environment and climate change. Check out the show details in the link above!

Why Barns Are Painted Red

“The Archives of the Shiawasee County Historical Society explain that a week or two after a farmer would put iron scraps into a large barrel of buttermilk, that buttermilk would be transformed into a durable red paint. That this paint was so easy and so inexpensive to make explains why so many barns were red […]

Chicago Botanic Garden Show

John Guertin and Barns Into Birdhouses make an appearance this month at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Antiques, Garden, & Design Show. Here John is featured with some of his designs, photo courtesy Chicago Tribune.

Patterson Barn

The following is an article from The Grand Rapids Press January 3, 2003 – Page D1 Author: Melissa Kruse / The Grand Rapids Press Barn razing erases vintage landmark KENTWOOD — If it were possible to see time changing, it might look like a barn at 28th Street and Patterson Avenue falling Thursday to the […]

Mlive Article and Video – January 2011

GRAND RAPIDS — Local birdhouse craftsman John Guertin isn’t competing with China. He doesn’t want to. Through a love of all things nature, he’s developed a special process, collecting materials and assembling them in a way that, he believes, beats any mass-produced birdhouse or feeder coming from the Far East. Guertin, 55, has spent the […]

Birding Business Cover Story – December 2010

  John Guertin has an interesting story to tell and he’s not afraid to tell it. One of the hardest jobs of a retailer is getting attention in the community – in a way that does not involve taking out ads in the media. John Guertin’s Heart & Eagle Company manages to do just that. […]