How it started
It all started in 2009 when I wanted to restore a couple vintage straight razors and give them new wooden scales without any knowledge of woodworking. I could have done it by hand but using power tools seemed more fun, so I decided to get an old scroll saw for it which I reasoned would also come in handy for possible future projects.
A few months later I was already making my first teethers for a friend’s baby. After having seen them my brother asked me to also make a couple for him to give to his sister in law.
This was shortly followed by a couple dog toys, 2 human bones recreated in detail which were chewed up within 15mins by a friend’s dog and a stylistic arrow which my dog didn’t even want to play with :D
After a few failed attempts I finally made my first 2 pendants in 2011, wooden rectangular bars with my name on it and a ‘secret’ message at the back. I thought that was enough for the time being.
In 2012 I started on a 3d printing project for which I designed a couple pendants. To find the right measurements I found my way back to the scroll saw and made them out of wood first. This was such a success I didn’t even care for printing them and after I sold my first pendant towards the end of 2012 I continued to design them in wood.
In the summer of 2013 I started experimenting with chainmaille because it seemed interesting to me to combine wood with steel. Even though I liked the combination it wasn’t well received. The bracelets and necklaces completely out of stainless steel were a hit so I continued making them.
For personalizing baby toys I purchased a wood burner at the beginning of 2014. Of course I also started using it to decorate and personalize pendants.
By now I’ve gathered a supply of over 30 different woods.
You can follow me at facebook where I post my newest creations:
https://www.facebook.com/VanAlphenStudio
