Greg Harkins uses techniques passed down from the mid-1800s. He has made chairs for more than 45 years, three of these as an apprentice under a Master Chairmaker, Tom Bell who made a living building chairs for 67 years. Greg is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Psychology. He is a Fellow Member and sat on the Board of Directors for the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi. He is also a member of the American Craft Council and the Louisiana Craft Council.

What Makes Our Products Great?

It is exactly what I tell people it is. I am preserving a virtually lost craft. I cut the trees, mill the lumber, turn all parts by hand, assemble chairs and other furniture. I use shrink fitted technique passed down through centuries that result in extremely durable furniture of a very high quality. I hand pick the trees for lumber to make my chair parts. A chair takes approximately 25 hours to make. The backs and bottoms of the chairs are woven by hand.

What makes us most proud of producing Genuine MS products?

I am proud to be a Mississippian. We help each other. I am a seventh generation Irish Catholic. In Dixieland I'll make my stand to live and die in Dixie. This is where I'm from. I have always wanted to impact society. I have had the opportunity to serve many people throughout our state, nation and international.

How does buying Genuine MS products make a difference here in Mississippi?

I have had the opportunity to work for a man that taught me a dying trade and I have had the tenacity to be an outstanding chair maker and stay a chair maker.

Why should people seek out and buy Genuine MS products?

If you go anywhere in the US and ask anyone about MS. We respect each other. We have great roots, southern hospitality, and genuinely care about the people we serve.