Commissions
Commission a one-of-a-kind piece.
You don’t need to know exactly how to make it. You don’t even need to know exactly what it should look like yet. Tell me what you’re thinking, and we can see where the idea goes.
What I make
A few places to start
These are some of the projects I enjoy making, but they’re not meant to be a complete list.
Since I started woodworking in 2016, what I’m able to make has continued to grow. New equipment, new materials and a lot of learning along the way have opened up possibilities I wouldn’t have considered when I started.
So if you have something in mind that isn’t shown here, please ask.
Some of my favourite projects have started with, “I don’t know if this is possible, but…”
Topographical Carvings
Real landscapes turned into detailed 3D carvings.
Mountains, lakes, hometowns, family properties and other places that have some meaning behind them. Pieces can also include roads, coordinates, names, dates and other personal details.
3D Relief Carvings
Vehicles, portraits, landscapes, logos and other images carved with depth and dimension.
This is an area I’ve really enjoyed exploring as my CNC equipment and experience have grown, and I’m always interested in seeing what else I can do with it.
Live-Edge & Epoxy Furniture
Coffee tables, dining tables, end tables, shelves and other custom furniture.
Natural slabs can have some incredible grain, colour and character. Depending on the project, I can combine them with resin, metal and other materials to create something that fits the space and the person it’s being made for.
Boards & Serving Pieces
Cutting boards, charcuterie boards, serving boards, butcher blocks and other pieces made to be used.
These can range from fairly simple hardwood designs to personalized pieces incorporating engraving, carving, resin and different wood combinations.
Signs, Games & Gifts
Signs, cribbage boards, chess sets, trophies, displays, wine caddies, mini bars and plenty of other projects I’ve had the opportunity to make over the years.
This category tends to keep growing, especially as I add new capabilities to the shop.
And when you’re trying to find something for that person who’s particularly difficult to buy for:
For the person who has everything, I create what they don’t.
Memorials & Keepsakes
Memorial boxes, pet memorials and other keepsake pieces made around someone or something important.
These projects often have a lot of meaning behind them, so I try to understand the story before deciding on the details.
Always learning
The shop keeps growing with me.
I started woodworking in 2016, and I’ve tried to keep learning and improving ever since.
Woodworking came first. CNC machining opened up an entirely different side of making for me, and I’ve continued to reinvest in equipment and technology as I’ve grown.
My shop now includes CNC machining, automatic tool changing and laser technology, and I’ve expanded the materials I work with to include hardwoods, resin, metal, aluminum and concrete.
I’m sure that list will continue to change.
For me, upgrading the shop isn’t about having the newest equipment. It’s about learning what that equipment allows me to do and having more options when an interesting project comes along.
There’s still plenty I haven’t tried and plenty I don’t know.
That’s part of what keeps this interesting.
How it works
It starts with an idea.
Tell me about it
Send me whatever you have. It might be photographs, a sketch, an inspiration image or simply a description of what you’re thinking.
You don’t need to know every detail yet.
I’ll ask some questions, we’ll talk through the idea, and I’ll let you know whether it’s something I think I can do well.
I can’t take on every project, but I’m always happy to hear the idea.
We work out the details
Once I have a better understanding of the project, we can work through things like size, materials, design and budget.
I’ll provide a quote before anything begins. Quotes are free, and there’s no obligation to move forward.
If the first version comes in higher than you’d hoped, there may be ways to adjust the size, materials or details to bring the cost down.
I get to work
Most projects take approximately two to six weeks, depending on the size, complexity, materials and what I already have underway. Some projects take less time and particularly involved pieces can take longer.
If you need something for a specific birthday, anniversary, retirement, wedding or other date, let me know when you contact me. I’ll let you know whether the timing is realistic before we begin.
What it costs
Every project is a little different.
Custom work is priced individually because the amount of design, materials and shop time can vary quite a bit from one project to another. These ranges are simply a starting point.
Smaller or simpler projects
Approximately $50–$500
This can include boards, signs, games, smaller carvings, laser work and other personalized pieces.
Larger or more detailed projects
Generally $500 and up
Furniture, larger topographical carvings, detailed 3D reliefs and more involved mixed-material projects usually fall into this range.
Deposits
A 50% deposit reserves your project and helps cover materials and other project-specific costs.
Once work has begun or project-specific materials have been purchased, the deposit becomes non-refundable.
Quotes are always free. If you have a budget in mind, you’re welcome to include it. It can actually be helpful when I’m considering different ways of approaching the project.
Materials
What I work with
Wood is still at the centre of most of my work, but over the years I’ve started incorporating other materials when they make sense for a project.
Hardwoods
Maple, walnut, walnut burl, purpleheart, padauk, cedar and many others. Species are chosen based on things like appearance, durability, intended use and what suits the design.
Resin
I work with Treepoxy, EcoPoxy and other resins for furniture, fills, accents and mixed-material pieces.
Metal & Aluminum
Metal has been part of some of my work for a while, and aluminum is a newer addition that I’m beginning to incorporate as my machining capabilities grow. I’m looking forward to doing more with it.
Laser Work
Laser technology is another recent addition to the shop. It gives me more options for engraving, fine details and personalization, and I’m continuing to explore where it fits best alongside traditional woodworking and CNC machining.
Finishes
The finish depends on the piece and how it’s going to be used. Food-contact pieces receive an appropriate food-safe finish, while furniture and decorative pieces may need something completely different.
Thinking about a project?
Here’s what helps.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before contacting me. Even a rough idea is enough to begin a conversation. If you do have some details already, these are particularly helpful:
Your idea
Tell me what you’re thinking and who or what it’s for. If there’s a story or meaning behind it, I’d like to hear that too.
Size, budget & timing
Approximate dimensions, a comfortable budget range and any important deadline can help me understand what’s realistic. If you don’t know yet, that’s okay.
Photos & references
Photographs, sketches, screenshots, maps, coordinates, inspiration images and other references can all help explain an idea.
A few common questions
Worth knowing
Can you make something from a photo, logo or map?
Often, yes. Photographs can sometimes be adapted into carvings or reliefs, while maps and terrain data can be used for topographical pieces.
For copyrighted images, trademarks and logos, I may need you to confirm that you have permission to reproduce them.
Can you recreate something from your portfolio?
Usually, although it won’t be an exact duplicate. Wood grain, colour and other natural characteristics change from piece to piece.
If you like something I’ve made before, we can use it as inspiration and create another version for you.
Do you take rush orders?
Sometimes. It depends on the project and what I already have scheduled. If you have a firm date, let me know and I’ll tell you what I can realistically do.
An additional charge may apply to expedited work.
Do you ship?
Smaller pieces can generally be shipped throughout Canada and the United States. Larger, heavier or more fragile pieces may require local pickup in Sherwood Park.
I’ll confirm the options with you before anything begins.
Can I visit the shop?
Yes, by appointment. If your project would benefit from looking at materials or talking through the design in person, we can arrange a time.
Who makes the work?
I do. Stain & Steel is a small, one-person operation based in my Sherwood Park shop. From the first conversation and design work through machining, sanding, finishing and the final details, I’m the person working on your project.
I like it that way. It gives me the opportunity to get to know the story behind a piece and learn something new from the projects that come through the shop.
From past clients
Both of these started as an email
I reached out to Terry at Stain and Steel to make a custom piece for my sister’s wedding, and he absolutely nailed it. The attention to detail and craftsmanship were unreal, and the marble look in the lettering came out even better than I imagined. My sister and her husband were blown away, and it’s now one of their favorite pieces in their new home.
Steve L.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Terry on a couple of different projects. His craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none. Not only do the tables he built for me look great but they have proven to survive the test of time. They are the centrepiece of our household and are a beautiful one of one work of art that we will have forever.
Brendan K.
Let’s talk
Have something in mind?
You don’t need to know exactly how to make it. You don’t even need to know exactly what it should look like yet.
Tell me what you’re thinking, and we can see where the idea goes.
Prefer email? stainandsteelstudio@gmail.com · Or call 780 902 0221. I read every message myself and reply within one business day.