While growing up in San Diego, Dan Evers along with his five siblings began spending time in the family workshop. His father, Ellis, patiently guided Dan’s young hands through a fantastic array of craft projects; while his mother, Virginia, spent her free time painting in the adjoining art studio.
Ellis found working with the crafts to be a healthy diversion from his demanding job as a school principal. He also found that working with crafts helped him forge a common bond with his children. The backyard shop was a magic place where new ideas and projects were created on an ongoing basis. From furniture and lathed-turned bowls to ceramics, stained glass, metalwork, and jewelry. Some of these handcrafted items were sold but most were given away as gifts.
After serving four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, Dan attended San Diego State University and later on moved to Chico, California where he began a woodworking business out of a rented garage. Having studied architecture, Dan began specializing in architectural millwork, which mainly consisted of finely crafted hardwood doors, stained glass windows, paneling, and specialized interiors. His reputation for design and craftsmanship grew rapidly. In order to keep up with the increasing demand, he built factories in California, Kentucky, and Mexico. By 1999, his administrative duties had taken him far from the hands-on work he loved and enjoyed so much. Consequently, he sold the company and moved back to San Diego.
For the first time in many years, he had time to visit with family and friends. Dan’s friends were proudly displaying the handcrafted gifts that were made many years ago in the small backyard shop. Dan was surprised to see how people truly appreciated and cherished these gifts. In the meantime, Dan and his sons resumed their lifelong passion for sailing by restoring an old 41-foot ketch.
This occurrence inspired the creation of Farallon Design, whose mission is to create a line of handcrafted, customized gifts and awards that would creatively express a deep and enduring sense of appreciation and gratitude.
