About this Product
These custom chopsticks are shaped by hand in solid Cherry wood. The names are carved to order with up to 10 letters per stick, with the same name/word on each or two different names/words. They measure approximately 8 3/8 inches long and taper from about 5/16” to 3/32". They are finished with a food-grade oil finish.
3 ways to order... USPS "Ground Advantage" shipping included! (Priority Mail is available at additional cost)
1.) CHOPSTICKS ONLY: ~ $25.00 ~ One pair of personalized chopsticks only. ....or
2.) CHOPSTICKS w/ REST: ~ $30.00 ~ One pair of personalized chopsticks with matching table rest (Hashi Oki). The table rest is about 3/8 x 3/8 x 1 ½ inches, with semi-circular holds to keep your chopsticks from rolling around. ....or
3.) GIFT SET: ~ $35.00 ~ Includes one pair of personalized chopsticks with matching table rest (above) and a red cotton, hand-sewn drawstring gift bag (shown in last photo) which measures about 9 x 1 1/2 inches. Perfect for tucking them away in your purse or inside pocket of your dinner jacket. NOTE: My supply of gift bags varies and may not be available at all times.
USE THIS LISTING TO CUSTOM ORDER - Enter your personalization and select the option you desire. I will generally carve and ship them within 2 to 5 business days. Larger orders may take a little longer. Feel free to ask if time is an issue. Due to the very nature of wood, all pieces are unique. Each pair is "bookmatch" cut from the same block, for best match. Color variances and grain differences are inevitable and appreciated. Natural defects like tight knots and mineral discolorations are NOT avoided unless they threaten the strength of the piece.
***CHOPSTICK MAINTENANCE: My chopsticks should be hand-washed, but NEVER soaked. Frequent coats of mineral oil and/or beeswax, especially after the first few uses, will protect and help keep them looking fresh.
My chopsticks are shaped by hand and are labor intensive. I do not offer discounts for quantity ordering on these.
SHIPPING: Your order will be carved in the order it is received. I usually carve and ship within 2-3 days, but it may take longer during peak holiday times (October - December). If time is an issue, contact me before ordering for a more accurate production time. Once mailed, shipping and delivery times are beyond my control.
DustyNewt
Meet the Maker
I am Scott.
I am new here on GoImagine but have been carving my wooden names since 1982, selling online (via Etsy) since 2008. I now do this full-time and can concentrate on giving my clients the attention they deserve. The ability to create lasting mementos with my hands gives me peace.
What’s in a Name…?
The name DustyNewt came from the sociable lizards that abound in my tilty, storm-blown workshop here in Central Florida. They love hanging out on my workbench with me, and are curious about the tools that make the dust that they forage in, keeping my shop’s bug population at a minimum. There are so many varieties that I just refer to them all as “newts”, although real newts are rarely seen, except out by the fish pond.
The Work.
Each of my pieces is individually carved and hand shaped. No CNC or laser in my workshop. My free-hand letter style has evolved with strength and readability in mind. Due to the nature of wood with its varying grains, textures and colors, no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
17 Step Commute
I invite you to visit my substack blog, "17 Step Commute". It is about how I work from home.
https://17stepcommute.substack.com/
Peace in Wood,
Scott (a.k.a. DustyNewt)
How it’s Made
Your chopsticks start by selecting the fine hardwood you've chosen from blanks that have been "bookmatch" cut so that they match each other. Your names are then carved in my free-hand style. Each stick is hand shaped to match its mate. They are sanded through a six step process, ending with 600 grit. They then receive a food-safe oil bath, air dried and polished to a fine, smooth sheen. Each pair takes up to an hour, from start to finish, to complete.
Shop Policies
I will endeavor to match batch orders and pairs of chopsticks, but wood is a material with unique color and grain variations. No two pieces will ever be exactly alike.
RETURNS, REFUNDS and CANCELLATIONS
RETURNS: All of my works are custom carved to order and are not returnable. Chopsticks cannot be returned for health concerns.
REFUNDS: Because all my work is custom, made to order and personalized, I do not refund for anything other than my mistakes. I will use your spellings for each order, so be sure when you fill out the "personalization" box. A mistake on my part (i.e. misspelling, wood species, size) will be remedied with either a replacement or refund. Your choice.
CANCELLATIONS: If you change your mind, you can cancel an order within 1 hour of placing it. I often carve them the same day that they arrive to my inbox. Beyond this 1 hour timeframe, you may message me a request to cancel, but if it is already carved, I cannot.
SHIPPING/TURNAROUND TIME
I will generally carve and ship your items within 2 to 3 business days. I fulfill orders in the order they arrive. The holiday season (mid-October through Christmas) may take up to 2 weeks to produce, so order early.
I include U.S. shipping on all of my listings (USPS Ground Advantage). This method will usually arrive within 10 business days after I ship it, but may take longer due to disruptions to USPS services. I have no control over your package once it is mailed.
Priority Mail is available at an extra cost and will usually arrive 3 to 5 days after it is mailed, depending on your location.
Be sure the address you wish it shipped to is correct.
In NO case can I "Guarantee" a delivery date. Order early if you need it by a definite date. Lost packages take time for the USPS to track down and may take 4 to 6 weeks to determine their status before I can refund or send out a replacement. Their timeline, not mine.
I purchase my shipping labels through PayPal and will supply a USPS tracking number, but please be aware that the USPS tracking has only been accurate about 60% of the time lately.
Make sure your GoImagine notifications are set so that you will receive messages from me and/or shipping updates. Otherwise, they may go to your "spam" file.
DAMAGED ITEMS: I package items securely and have not had any problems with over 11,000 packages mailed, but if your order arrives damaged, contact me immediately. The post office now requires 8 photos of the broken item(s) and packaging in order for their insurance to be honored. Send the images to me and I will submit the claim and either refund you or replace the item(s), your choice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Can you carve my name?
Yes! At no extra cost, all of my personalized items can be custom made to say what you want, within that item's letter limitations. Each piece is individually carved to order. Just fill out the "Personalization" box with the correct spelling(s).
Will my order be here on time?
I will generally carve and ship your items within 2 to 3 business days. I fulfill orders in the order they arrive. The holiday season (mid-October through Christmas) may take up to 2 weeks to produce, so order early. USPS usually takes an additional 7 to 10 business days to arrive.
Do you have discounted/wholesale prices?
Thanks for asking! Orders of 5 or more name keychains can be discounted by request. Just send me a message with the woods desired and the list of names you'll need carved. I will send you a quote and if it is satisfactory to you, I will create a "Reserved" listing for you to purchase.
Due to holiday demand, I do not offer discounts during the months of November and December. So, order early for the best holiday prices. Due to their labor intensive nature, I do not discount my name chopsticks.
Do you carve other fonts?
Sorry, but no. I carve my names in a free-hand style that I have developed over the last 42 years with strength and readability in mind. They are durable for daily use. Other fonts do not hold up to the rigors of everyday abuse. For strength considerations, my font is all caps except for the lower case "e" (smiley face) which is stronger than the cap.
Can I order a gift to be shipped to another address?
Sure! Just make sure you put the correct shipping address during checkout. So you can see what you have ordered, I will always send you a "Sneak Peek" when completed.
Are my products durable?
Yes. They are carved from solid hardwoods and properly cared for will give years of service. The letter style I have developed minimizes "short grain" which weakens the piece.
