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Six cups placed on a wooden tray, showcasing a simple and organised presentation

Commissions and custom orders

A golf trophy with a wooden base displayed on a white surface
A wooden spoon featuring a tag, positioned on a neutral background

Bespoke Wooden Gifts

Creating a bespoke wooden gift involves a creative dialogue each time, between myself and the client. Each one produces something completely unique and personal. It’s always a special experience.

Would you like a truly unique wooden item as a wedding, special birthday or anniversary gift? Perhaps you want a bespoke funeral urn? Maybe you have a special tree or piece of wood you’d like transformed into a keepsake or useful item? Or perhaps you’d like to customise one of my existing products?

Whatever the reason click the button below to complete the enquiry form and I’ll be in touch.

Contact me

Some previous commissions

Case Study

Chestnut Wizard Wand Commission

I’ve just completed a commissioned wizard wand. If you’re looking for a custom wand made from real wood in this case study I’ll talk you through the commissioning process. Read on for a short explanation of how the commissioning process works and how this special wand was created.

Thomas’ mum wanted to present him a custom wand for his 10th birthday. She told me she’d looked online but couldn’t find one made of real wood. “They’re mostly made of plastic,” she told me, ” but Thomas wants a real magic wand.”

The custom wand brief

Luckily she knew the exact type he wanted since he’d taken online quiz to determine his ideal wand. It should be made of Chestnut wood with a Dragon’s HeartString core.

I was very excited to make a custom wand as I hadn’t before. As luck would have it, I had a suitable piece of wood so we agreed on a price of £25 and a timescale of a couple of weeks.

Magic wand design features

After some visual research and sketching I came up with a simple but interesting design that will be strong and durable enough for a wizard who looks after their wand.

Made it from a length of fresh Chestnut branch, the handle’s shaped to give a comfortable grip.

A bit of the tree’s bark remains on the wand’s pommel to remind Thomas that his wand came from a real tree.

The turning process

Fresh wood is wet and springy, so the wand was roughly shaped on the lathe and left to dry for about 12 days. For the first week it was in a paper bag to slow the drying process and then on a shelf in the workshop. If the wood dries too quickly it can crack. I kept an eye on the moisture level and when it was low enough replaced the wand on the lathe to finish the shaping.

The wand had dried slightly oval. It whipped up and down on the lathe because it was so thin. That made finishing it a bit tricky but added to its character enormously.

I then made a feature of the handle by painting it with an Auro plant-based natural stain. Then a couple of coats of pure hemp oil were applied. This seals and protections the wood from dirt and staining, makeing wiping it clean much easier.

A certificate of authenticity and a wand resting on a bed
A wooden plank on a table beside a saw, indicating preparation for woodworking tasks
A stylish bag in white and brown with a wooden handle, combining elegance and functionality
A wooden wand featuring a chestnut handle

Testimonials

  • A collection of footstall replacement feet displayed on a workshop table, highlighting artisanal woodworking techniques

    Thank you so much for taking on the job, it’s been a joy!

    Ellie
    Replacement Footstool Feet
  • A wooden wand handle featuring a decorative design

    It turned out amazing!!! I’m so excited about it!

    Yarón
    Bespoke Hogwarts Magic Wand

Commissioning FAQs

Liz Pearson woodturning

What’s involved in ordering a one-off piece?

The commissioning process:

  1. Complete the commission enquiry form.
  2. I’ll get in touch to discuss your requirements and ideas.
  3. Next I’ll create some initial sketches.
  4. Then we’ll go through the ideas together to narrow down what you really want and write a detailed design brief.
  5. Working to that brief I’ll develop a detailed design that includes the timescale and estimated price.
  6. I’ll present the design to you and ask for your feedback
  7. Then I make the item.
  8. On completion, you’ll receive your piece along with a PDF documenting its creation.
Can you use my wood?

Absolutely! I love working with wood that has a special significance as it makes the piece even more personal. However, not all wood is suitable for turning and I have to examine it and check it’s safe to work with and appropriate for the proposed item.

How long does it take?

This is dependent on various factors and each commission’s unique. As a rough guide, for a completely original piece allow a minimum of 2-3 months. If you’d like to customise one of my existing designs then a shorter time of up to a month is realistic.

How much does it cost?

Again, that’s specific to each project. But for a customised piece based on one of my existing designs prices start at around £80. Completely bespoke pieces start at £200.

An initial payment of 50% is taken once the specific brief has been agreed.
The remaining balance is due on delivery of the item.

Contact me