Love HeartWood’s Journal

Wizard Wand Commission

by | Apr 22, 2020 | commissions, journal | 1 comment

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.

chestnut branch
Freshly cut piece of Chestnut branch wood.
chestnut magic wand
11 1/2 inch magic wand made from ‘green’ Chestnut wood.

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.

chestnut wood wand in bag
The wand was presented in a cotton drawstring bag. The certificate’s secured with a recycled ribbon.

wizard wand extras

On completion of the magic wand I had lots of fun designing a suitably detailed certificate of authenticity to accompanied it to its exited new owner. It ends with some simple care instructions: Buff with a soft, damp cloth. Do not wash, lose or sit on your wand.

further reading …. tree folklore

I think a wand truly is a magical toy because it can set a child’s imagination free. The world of magic is one without the usual limits meaning they can cast whatever spells they dream up.

The idea that different woods exhibit different characters is a very ancient one and my research into the subject of tree lore was fascinating. I will certainly be exploring it more fully as I plan to make more real magic wands in the future. If you’d like to find out more about our native trees and their associated folklore why not visit these wonderful nature websites?


Read about another custom magic wand commission

If you’d like your own unique, wizard wand or want to chat about another commission idea please email me at liz@loveheartwood.co.uk or complete the form below.

commission form

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