Custom Carvings
Turning your vision into bespoke sculptures
How Are My Sculptures Created?
All of my sculptures are created using a chainsaw.
I use the chainsaw for as much of the carving and detail work as possible before moving on to additional power tools to refine the sculpture further. These tools include:
Finger sanders
Rotary tools
Angle grinders
These allow me to smooth the wood, refine shapes, and add finer details such as eyes and other delicate features.
Each sculpture is completely hand carved from start to finish, making every piece truly one of a kind.
How it works
How to Order a Custom Sculpture
Whether you have a very specific idea in mind or just a general thought that you’d like help designing, I can help bring your idea to life.
To get started, simply contact me with your idea. You can:
Click the Contact page on this website
Send me a DM on social media
Message me on WhatsApp: 07459087628
Once you get in touch, I’ll message back with a few follow-up questions depending on the type of carving you’re looking for.
Things I Usually Need to Know
1. What size would you like your carving?
The size helps determine the level of detail possible, the amount of wood needed, and the overall cost.
2. Do you have any example photos?
If you have inspiration photos, feel free to send them over.
If the carving is something specific, for example, a sculpture of your dog - please send a few clear photos from different angles.
3. What position would you like the sculpture in?
For animal carvings, I’ll usually need to know the pose you’d like, for example:
Sitting
Standing
Lying down
Head tilt or specific expression
4. How would you like the carving finished?
There are a few different finishing styles available, including:
Burnt shading with oiled natural wood finish (similar to the elephant carving below)
Fully painted finish (like the kingfisher carving below)
A mixture of staining and oiled natural wood tones (similar to the german shephard carving below)
Any Special Requests?
I can also include personal details or custom features. For example:
A name carved into the base
Special accessories or objects
Functional details, like the German Shepherd carving where the customer requested the mouth to be wide enough to hold a tennis ball
Once we’ve worked out exactly what you want, I can provide a quote for the carving.
If you already have a set budget in mind, let me know, I can often work backwards from your budget and come up with a carving idea that fits within it.
Tell Me Your Story
If there is a story behind the carving, I’d love to hear it.
One of my favourite parts of creating unique sculptures for customers is hearing the stories and meanings behind them. Whether it’s a memorial piece, a favourite pet, a meaningful gift, or a sculpture connected to a special memory or occasion, these personal details help make the carving even more special.
I also find that knowing the story behind a carving helps me get a better feel for how the sculpture should look, which really helps during the design and creation process.
Why get a custom carving?
All of my logs are locally sourced from tree surgeons who remove trees due to what are often called the “4 D’s” : diseased, damaged, dying, or dangerous trees.
These are logs that would otherwise be cut up for firewood or turned into woodchip. Instead, they are transformed into unique sculptures that can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Chainsaw carvings are created from natural material, meaning they will never end up in landfill. Over time, the wood will very gradually return back to the soil naturally, although this process takes many, many years. During that time, you get to enjoy not only the carving itself, but also the natural character and changes the wood develops over the years.
A Truly Personal Piece
One of the best things about custom wood carvings is how personal they can be.
I can create:
Memorial sculptures of beloved pets
Favourite animals
Wedding carvings to welcome guests on your special day
New baby or christening gifts
Unique valentines gifts
Personalised garden sculptures
One-of-a-kind gifts designed specifically for someone important
A Meaningful Gift
Chainsaw carvings make incredibly meaningful gifts because every piece is completely unique and made specifically for that person.
I’m often told that people have cried with joy when receiving their carving because of how personal and thoughtful it is. Whether it’s a memorial piece, a favourite animal, or something designed around a special memory, every sculpture tells a story.
Something Truly Unique
A custom chainsaw carving can make your home or garden feel completely unique.
Rather than spending money on mass-produced decorations that may eventually end up in landfill, you can support a local artist and own a handcrafted sculpture made from natural materials, a one-of-a-kind piece created just for you.
How much does a bespoke carving cost?
I completely understand wanting to know the cost of a sculpture from the outset, so you can decide whether it fits within your budget and whether you’d like to go ahead with an order.
However, because every sculpture is completely unique, it’s difficult to give an exact price without first knowing what you would like created.
The cost of a carving is mainly based on the amount of time it will take to create, which can vary depending on several factors:
Size of the carving
Larger sculptures naturally take longer to carve and require more material.Complexity and level of detail
More intricate carvings, detailed fur or feathers, realistic facial features, or complex designs will all increase carving time.Type of finish
A simple natural burnt-and-oiled finish will usually take less time than detailed painted work or multiple stained finishes.Additional materials
Some carvings may require paints, oils, stains, or protective finishes, which can also affect the final cost.
A Rough Price Guide
If you are completely new to chainsaw carvings and have no idea of typical costs, it may help to know that most custom carvings are usually priced in the hundreds.
As a very rough guide:
Small, simpler custom carvings usually start from around £150
Larger or highly detailed sculptures can cost £1000+
On average, the majority of my customs are priced around £300-£600
Every carving is different, so prices can vary depending on exactly what you are looking for.
If you already have a budget in mind, feel free to let me know. I can often work around a set budget and suggest ideas for your carving that would fit in that price range.
Payment & Booking Process
To secure your booking, I take a 20% deposit of the total cost of the sculpture.
Once the deposit has been paid, I will give you an estimated timeframe for when I should be able to create your carving. This is often around 3 months, although this can vary depending on current orders and the size or complexity of your sculpture.
If you need your carving completed before a specific date for a special occasion, please let me know. I will always do my best to rearrange my schedule to complete the carving in time. In some cases, there may be an additional charge for short-notice or priority orders.
Updates During the Process
I will keep you updated throughout the creation process and can send progress photos if you would like to see your sculpture taking shape.
I may also film parts of the carving process for social media content. If requested, I will avoid showing any personal details connected to the sculpture.
Once the carving is complete, I will send you photos and a video of the finished piece before final payment is made.
Final Payment
Final payment is due once you are happy with the completed sculpture.
It’s important to understand that these carvings are handmade pieces of art, and every sculpture is unique. If there is something small and specific you would like adjusted, I may be able to make changes for an additional cost. However, I am unable to repeatedly alter sculptures or dramatically redesign them once they have been created.
By requesting a custom carving from me, you are trusting and agreeing to my artistic style and interpretation.
Fortunately, to date I have never had a customer unhappy with their finished carving, and I take a huge amount of care in making sure every sculpture is as special and personal as possible.
For further information on caring for your chainsaw carving and delivery options, please click the link below:
Previous Customs Orders
