Our woodworking journey started with keepsake boxes and pet urns, but over the years, we’ve crafted many one-of-a-kind pieces based on customer requests. We considered some of these for our main product line, but they never became permanent offerings. This post reflects on those unique creations. While they aren’t part of our product catalog, they showcase the versatility and craftsmanship behind our custom woodworking projects.
How We Evaluate New Designs For Our Main Product Line
Each time we receive a custom request, we carefully assess whether the piece fits into our long-term product line. Here’s what we consider:
✔ Market Interest – Are people actively searching for this type of item?
✔ Competition – How many businesses are selling something similar?
✔ Production Viability – Are material costs, labor time, and shipping expenses manageable?
✔ Passion – Do we truly love making it?
Memorable Custom Creations
Walnut Paint Brush Box – A Presidential Surprise
One of our most memorable custom requests is this stunning Walnut Paint Brush Box, crafted for iCapital as a special gift for a VIP Guest Speaker at U.S. Connect 2025. The engraving requested was “43”, leading us to realize the recipient was none other than former President George W. Bush!
While we loved making this piece, we discovered that high-end walnut pen, pencil, or brush boxes don’t have high market demand. Because of this, it won’t be part of our regular product line, but the craftsmanship behind it and its recipient made it a truly special project.
Large Walnut Box for Journal Storage – A Timeless Gift
This custom walnut box was designed for a Los Angeles-based creative who wanted an elegant home for a lifetime of written reflections. More than just a storage solution, it was meant to preserve memories, thoughts, and emotions carefully captured on paper over the years.
What made this project truly special was the heartfelt gift note that accompanied it: “For your 30th birthday, I offer you a place to store words. Words have always been, and will continue to be, my favorite gift to you…”
This custom box wasn’t just about organizing journals—it became a tribute to a lifelong exchange of thoughts and emotions, ensuring every carefully written word had a place to be archived for years.
Red Oak Christmas Ornament Storage Box
A Newport News, Virginia customer requested this ornament storage box to protect delicate pieces from her 12 Days of Christmas collection. It is designed with individual compartments, ensuring each ornament remains safe for storage.
Photo and USB Storage Box – A Meaningful Wedding Gift
This unique box was created to hold printed memories alongside digital keepsakes stored on USB flash drives. Thoughtfully engraved with the couple’s names and wedding date, this exceptional piece was a heartfelt wedding gift.
Custom Baseball Card Storage Box – A Collector’s Dream
A San Francisco, CA, baseball card collector requested a custom-crafted storage box to house his valuable collection. After receiving his custom box, he shared this glowing review:
“I just got this box, and I must say, I am more than impressed with the final product. Everything works flawlessly—the box closes perfectly with the spacer, and the ½-inch lid overhead turned out just right. My cards stick out just enough for easy access, and the craftsmanship truly stands out. Thank you for this incredible box, especially to Tyler for the exceptional craftsmanship.”
Receiving feedback like this reminds us why we do what we do—creating pieces that blend craftsmanship with functionality and giving collectors storage solutions tailored to their passion.
High-End Steak Knife Storage Box
Another unique request was a luxury steak knife storage box, designed as a wedding gift. The customer wanted an elegant way to present and protect a premium knife set—Lee’s Table steak knives in Ambrosia Maple—ensuring the box reflected both craftsmanship and sophistication.This $2,700 steak knife set was crafted for refined dining, and it deserved a box as elegant as the knives themselves. 
Reflections on Custom Work
Though these pieces aren’t part of our standard product line, they hold a special place in our woodworking journey. Each request challenged us to bring fresh ideas to life, proving that woodworking is more than just a skill—it’s a way to honor stories, moments, and relationships. We hope sharing these designs gives you insight into the passion and care that go into every piece we create.
~ Christy & Tyler