Commissions
Commission a One-of-a-Kind Piece
You bring the idea. I’ll help you shape it into something real. Most of what I make never reaches the shop — it starts as a conversation.
What I make
Six places to start
Not on the list? Ask anyway. Some of the best pieces I’ve made started with “I don’t know if this is possible.”
Topographical Carvings
Carved terrain of a place that means something — a lake, a hometown, the mountain you got engaged on. The place name and coordinates burned into the frame.
3D Relief Carvings
Vehicles, logos, portraits, movie art. Layered, dimensional carving that reads from across a room.
Live-Edge & Epoxy Furniture
Coffee tables, dining tables, end tables. The slab decides the shape — I work with it, not against it.
Boards & Serving Pieces
Charcuterie, chef’s and end-grain cutting boards. Food-safe finished, built for daily use rather than display.
Signs, Games & Gifts
Cribbage boards, chess sets, bar signs, trophies, wine caddies, jerry-can mini bars.
Memorial & Keepsake Pieces
Memorial boxes and keepsake work, made carefully and without a rush.
How it works
Three conversations, then I start cutting
Vision
Send photos, sketches, a rough description — whatever you have. I’ll tell you honestly whether it’s something I can do well. I can’t take on every project, but I’ll always try.
Budget
Custom work comes with custom pricing, so we settle it before anything starts. Quotes are free. You’ll know the number before you commit to anything.
Timeline
Good things take time. Most projects run two to six weeks, depending on size, complexity and what’s already in the queue. Hard deadline? Say so up front.
What it costs
Priced per piece, quoted free
Every piece is priced individually, based on design time, materials and level of detail.
Smaller or simpler projects
Roughly $50 – $500. Boards, cribbage boards, signs, smaller carvings.
Larger or more intricate work
$500 and up. Furniture, large topographical pieces, detailed relief carving.
A quote costs nothing. If the number doesn’t work, we can usually adjust the size, material or detail level until it does.
Deposits: 50% secures your spot in the queue and covers materials. It becomes non-refundable once work begins — but if you cancel before I’ve started, I can usually return it.
What I work with
Materials
Hardwoods — maple, dark walnut, walnut burl, purpleheart, padauk, cedar, plus whatever the project calls for.
Resins — Treepoxy and Ecopoxy.
Finishes — Osmo food-grade oils on anything that touches food. Ceramic coating where a piece needs extra durability.
Every board is chosen for its grain, tone and character to suit the design. That’s why no two pieces come out the same — and why I use a single piece of wood per project wherever I can.
Before you write
What helps me quote faster
None of this is mandatory. “I have an idea and no details” is a perfectly good place to start.
The idea
What you’re picturing, in your own words — and what it’s for. A gift, a room, an occasion, a memory.
The practicals
Rough size, a wood or finish you’re drawn to, your budget range, and any hard deadline.
Anything visual
Photos, sketches, reference images, a map pin. And whether you’d pick up in Sherwood Park or need it shipped.
Worth knowing
Questions I get asked
Can you copy a photo, logo or map?
Usually yes — topographical maps, logo signage and photo-inspired reliefs are a big part of what I do. I’ll just need you to confirm you have the rights or permission for any copyrighted image or logo.
Can you recreate something from the Portfolio?
Usually. Every piece has its own grain and finish, so it won’t be identical — but I can build something in the same spirit.
Do you take rush orders?
Sometimes, depending on what’s in the queue. An expedited fee may apply. Tell me the date up front and I’ll be straight with you.
Pickup or shipping?
Smaller pieces ship across Canada and the U.S. Larger and more fragile work — furniture especially — is local pickup in Sherwood Park, by appointment. I’ll confirm which applies when I quote.
Can I visit the studio?
By appointment. If you’d like to talk a project through in person, or see examples in the wood, we can arrange it.
Who actually makes it?
Me. Stain & Steel is one person in a shop in Sherwood Park. The person who answers your email is the person who builds your piece.
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
Tell me about your project
I read every one of these myself and reply within one business day. Only four fields are required — the rest just help me quote faster.
Prefer email? stainandsteelstudio@gmail.com · Or call 780 902 0221.