Brian Ng'aru beautifully crafted a tailored cutlery tray for Michael, blending organizational elegance and everyday practicality into a piece that perfectly fits his kitchen needs. What's your wish?
A request by Michael from Urdorf, Germany
Custom-made cutlery tray. Length: 50 cm. Width: 20 cm. Height: 5 cm. Compartment layout: standard (compartments for forks, knives, tablespoons, teaspoons, cake forks and a large compartment for serving cutlery).
The Journey of Creating Custom Cutlery Tray – 50x20x5 cm, Standard Layout
Negotiation & Planning
Custom Cutlery Tray – 50x20x5 cm, Standard Layout - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hi Michael,
Thanks for reaching out with your request for a custom-made cutlery tray. It sounds like a great project, and we've got everything we need to get started. Just a quick thought—do you have a preference for the type of wood or material you'd like the tray to be made from? Also, is there a particular style or finish you’re envisioning that would complement your kitchen space?
Feel free to share any additional details or ideas you have in mind, so we can ensure the tray fits your needs perfectly. Looking forward to bringing your vision to life!
We have already installed cutlery trays for 3 of the total of 4 drawers, all made of bamboo. Now, for the smallest, the 4th drawer, we need one last insert. This should be made of bamboo and only have the external dimensions: 49.5 cm x 20 cm x 5 cm. (Automatic translation)
hello Michael, locally i am able to get cypress wood which is close to bamboo, i have provided a picture of a finished tray plus a design drawing with the provided dimensions, then for the tray finish i suggest varnish or food-oil like linseed oil, thank you.
hello i have made some design changes to the tray kindly have a look and give feedback
hello, i have new design kindly look at them then we can continue from there.
Thanks for the sketches and designs, great. However, we only want a cutlery tray that has the outer dimensions 20cm x 49.5cm but no further compartments. This is ideal for storing various long items of cookware. The price of CHF 85 is also right. We look forward to your implementation. Kind regards from Ana and Michael from Zurich. (Automatic translation)
Hello Michael, im glad you like the project idea an looking forward to carry out the plans as per your needs.
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom Cutlery Tray – 50x20x5 cm, Standard Layout – work in progress
hello Michael the project is underway, i will provide progress pictures / videos as soon as possible. Thank you
I would like to see the first step in the realization of my project. Kind regards from Switzerland. (Automatic translation)
Hello Michael i have shared some pics and a video of the current stage of the project from here it will be sanding to make the tray smooth to the touch then application of varnish. Thank you.
The design looks very appealing. We would like the object to be coated with a varnish - clear varnish - to protect the wood a little. Is this included in the price? Kind regards Ana (Automatic translation)
yes the project includes varnish coating
That's great,
I look forward to the photo of the finished painted product. Thank you very much (Automatic translation)
Hello Mr Michael the latest upload is of the finished project the tray has a protective varnish coating as you requested.
As far as can be judged, the product would now be ready for shipping....
But, ... from the photos sent so far, we could not necessarily deduce that an additional handle was mounted on the front (we had never ordered that!). Nor were any additional handles recognizable on the "supplier's" sketches). If the additional handle can be removed and the corresponding area can then be repainted, then it is right for us, because otherwise we would have to remove this additional wooden handle ourselves, because the way this drawer insert looks now, we can NOT insert it into our drawer. (Automatic translation)
no problem the handles can be removed and the area be repainted, i thought handling the tray without the handles would be arduous but its fine they can be removed
very good, then I look forward to the final result with anticipation. great (Automatic translation)
awesome
Have a nice weekend. Sincerely - Ana (Automatic translation)
Will be finalising the tray to be shipped
Before shipping, please take one last photo of the finished product, thank you (Automatic translation)
no problemo i will do that and update you
(Automatic translation) 12 Feb 2025 6:43 pm: Herman Gathege
No problem, I will do that and keep you informed (Automatic translation)
i made use of stronger wood to enhance durability and no handles were added, the images provided show the tray with first varnish coating, i did two coatings for a better protection of the wood.
Super, very nice. So we can use this beautiful, handmade product and enjoy it for many years. We are now looking forward to the delivery. Thank you very much (Automatic translation)
Hello Michael and Anna,
This is Vicky, the local operations manager. I’ve received your cutlery tray from Herman and thoroughly reviewed it to include you in the shipping decisions. Thank you for your feedback—we’re glad to hear you like it! However, after assessing the final piece, we feel it doesn’t fully meet our quality standards at Urban Change Lab. To ensure you get the best product, we’d like to refine it further for a better finish.
We’ve decided to assign the remake to a different artisan to bring in a fresh approach and ensure you receive a piece that truly meets your expectations. This is not a reflection on Herman’s effort but rather our commitment to delivering the best value for your money. We will proceed with the improvements and keep you updated on the progress.
Thank you for your patience and trust in our process. Let us know if you have any specific preferences you'd like us to consider.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng.
Hello Michael, I will be remaking your order. Please confirm if I have all information, tray will be 20cm×49.5cm with no compartment divisions, the tray will be made from cypress wood which is most similar to bamboo. The finish will be a clear varnish ,(i would advice waxing instead of varnishing for food safety. Though it will give the tray a matt finish instead of a gloss finish. I have aleready started working on the tray and uploaded some images of the progress. I will be prompt with the order to avoid any futher delays and keep you updated with every progress. I apologise for any inconveniences.
Good evening Brian,
Now we can see how the story of our very latest acquisition - the drawer deployment from Africa - continues. We look forward to the rest of the story with a smile. Best wishes from Switzerland. Ana (Automatic translation)
Hello Michael, the tray is ready for finishing. I have attached photos.
Did you decide on what finishing you prefer?
Only some little sanding remains so I can apply the finishing of your choice.
Hi, this set still needs some attention (nail heads are still a bit ahead, sanding, varnishing), but after that I might like it.
Best regards,
Michael (Automatic translation)
Hi Michael
Tye tray us now fully sanded and sealed with a generous layer of varnish. I have uploaded some pictures of the final product and hope you like it. I can present the tray to our local manager for quality assessment once you confirm satisfaction. Thank you for the opportunity and working with us
All good. (Automatic translation)
Hello Michael,
This is Vicky, the local operations manager. I’ve received your tray from Brian, and it looks fantastic—a great improvement from the previous version! He carefully followed your measurement specifications and applied varnish for the finishing. However, I noticed a slight difference in the length—it measures 49cm instead of 49.5cm. Kindly let us know if this variation is acceptable or if you’d like us to make any adjustments.
I’ve shared photos showcasing the measurements and overall look of the tray. Please have a look and let me know if you're happy with it so we can proceed with shipping.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng
Hello Vicky,
Well, we are happy to compensate for the missing 0.5 mm - with a smile - with a matching, free wooden strip. No problem, everything is fine ... Somehow that's almost part of it, that's what makes the KUNSTwerk unique. Great (Automatic translation)
Final Delivery – The Completed Piece in Photos
Customer Photos After Delivery
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON015994E-74933
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
35.55
|
| Cost of labour |
27.65
|
| Cost of packaging |
4.74
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
4.74
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
72.68
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
7.27
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
7.27
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
44.43
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
25.01
|
| Total |
156.66
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
Each price shown is based on a unique, custom request. Final prices may vary depending on materials, effort, and delivery location.
