Brian Ng'aru crafted a beautifully practical cutlery tray for Alex, perfectly balancing every specific detail and need with precision and care. What's your wish?
A request by Alex from London, United Kingdom
Custom made cutlery tray. Length: 48 cm. Width: 42,15 cm. Height: 5,1 cm. Compartment setup: Individual. Hi!
I want to order a custom cutlery tray.
Please, find a sketch enclosed. A few comments on this:
1. Please, use the thinnest planks possible.
2. Sizes of the two bigger compartments should be the same (I don’t know how much space will be left, so I put “X/2” to show it).
3. Size of the top left compartment should be all what’s left.
4. My drawer has tiny unremovable silicone lines on the left and right edges. Therefore, left and right edges of the cutlery tray must have a little space for it. Please, see file “Cutlery tray front view” — I draw two options that I think will suit.
5. Colour like on this tray: https://www.urbanchangelab.com/custom-made-cutlery-drawer-with-very-unusual-dimensions/
6. Total height might be up to 6 cm, 5.1 cm is the expected height for the inside walls.
The Journey of Creating Custom-Made Cutlery Tray: 48×42.15cm
Negotiation & Planning
Artisan's Proposals
Hello Alex
Am happy to provide you an offer to your idea. I have understood the measurements and you have said the remaining part to share it equally..
Thank you.
Esther
Hello Alex
Am happy to provide you an offer to your idea. I have understood the measurements and you have said the remaining part to share it equally..
Thank you.
Esther
Hi, Esther!
That would be great if you could send me a sketch if you re-do it professionally. What's more: if that's possible, can you provide one insertable divider for one of the two biggest compartments, please?
Please, use the tiniest wood available for the borders.
If you have any comments or questions, please, let me know.
Best regards,
Alex Zverev
Hi, Esther!
That would be great if you could send me a sketch if you re-do it professionally. What's more: if that's possible, can you provide one insertable divider for one of the two biggest compartments, please?
Please, use the tiniest wood available for the borders.
If you have any comments or questions, please, let me know.
Best regards,
Alex Zverev
Hallo Alex
Thank you for your reply. I will draw the sketch and send to you.
The thinnest wood that we can use for border is mahogany wood.
Thank you
Esther
Hello Esther,
Thank you for update, looking forward to the sketch. Can you also give me timeline estimations, please?
Mahogany wood is OK, if the final colour would be as requested.
Best regards,
Alex Zverev
Hallo Alex,
Thank you for your reply. I have drawn and attached the sketch, kindly have a look at it for confirmation.
Thank you
Esther
Hello Alex
Thank you for your reply. I have understood the measurements of the tray.i have also given the price of the tray.
Thank you.
Esther
Hello Esther,
Thank you for the sketch, it's quite accurate. Two comments:
1. I figured that my drawer's left and right borders are in the form of a cone (see the photos enclosed), with 48.5 cm at the top. That would be great if you could do a widening at the top.
2. Please, provide me with an insertable of 11.5 cm for one of the right compartments, so I can use it if required (or remove it).
Hello Alex
Thank you for your reply.I have done another sketch in regards to the tray.
Kindly resend the photo in reference to Note 1. On the cone shape.
For the Note 2...can we increase the thickness of the bottom so that the insertable can be firm?(a small depression where the insertable can tuck in and out).
Thank you
Esther
Hello Esther.
Please, find 3 photos of the cone attached (Cone Cutlery Tray Front, Left, Right).
As for the insertable, I meant to have insertable in one of the right compartments, not the divider between these compartments (please, see picture Cutlery Tray Sketch 2, I marked with a red line what I meant). Please, do not create a tuck for it — just provide me with the piece of wood of the correct size (11.5 cm long), I will adjust it myself, if needed.
Hello Alex, sorry for the delay. I will be resuming your order from where you left off with Esther.
I have read your conversation and understood your request.
I have also attached a sketch showing the design I intend to make, assuming that the height from the base to where the cone starts is 5.1cm and the cone is 0.9 cm more to make the tray 6 cm high. I will be working with 1cm thick pieces of wood for the frame and divisions. the base will be 0.7cm thick to make it lighter.
I propose making the tray out of cypress wood which is light and robust. I will then stain it with carbon grey and varnish it to resemble the look you desire.
just to make sure we have enough clearance for the silicone, I suggest we give it a 0.5 mm spacing at the bottom.
If this works for you, I can provide a quotation for your idea once I receive your feedback. looking forward to starting.
Thank you
Hi Brian,
Thank you for getting in touch!
Two comments:
1. The width at the base is 48.5 (not 48), and at the top of the cone 48.9.
2. Would you be able to provide me with an insertable of 10.45 cm width?
For all the rest it looks great, looking forward to the quotation.
Hello Alex, I will make adjustments to the measurements, thanks for the correction.
Yes I will provide an insertable which you can fit in the tray when you need to partition the big section. It will be a tight fit so you can fix it on either of the two large compartments.
I will keep you updated with pictures and videos of every process
Hi Brian!
I'm really sorry, I made a mistake writing to you about the measurements. The base is 48 cm (maybe 48.1 cm not bigger), not 48.5. The top of the tray is still 48.9. Your scheme is quite accurate.
For all the rest everything is correct.
Hello Alex. Thank you for the clarification. I believe I have all information to start working on your idea. I will keep 6ou updated on every step
Crafting Process
Artisan’s Progress Updates
Hello Alex, I received your confirmation to start working on your idea. Today I will source dried wood and start working on your idea immediately. I will keep you updated through the process with pictures and videos.
Great, thank you.
By the way, if there would be a chance to have thinner wood than 1cm, that would be great. I understand that doesn't depend on you, so only if there is such an option. If no — no worries!
Hello Alex, I have clamped and prepared the base. Considering your request, I have reduced the wood thickness to 8mm, and the Inner divisions to 6mm. Everything is running smoothly and I will send updated once I finish preparing the pannels
Great, looking forward to the results!
Hello Alex, so far I have managed to prepare, plane, sand and stain all the pieces of the tray, what remains is joining and varnishing as the finishing. I will send updated pictures of the tray once it's assembled.
Great, thank you for the update
Hello Alex, the tray is ready for delivery. My apologies for the delay, the weather has not been friendly. I have uploaded some pictures of the finished product. Shipping can be arranged once you give a go ahead
Hello Brian!
Looks great, thank you! And what about the insertable for the big compartment?
That is included, sorry I forgot to take pictures of it. I have made two insertable, one as a spare incase it's misplaced.
Got it, thank you!
Please, do not forget to include these 🙂
Ready for the shipment!
Hello Alex,
this is Vicky. I sincerely apologise for this late response to you. There was some confusion on when the tray was to be dispatched to me, but it has been sorted out now. I did a thorough quality review for your tray once I got it and would like to share with you comprehensive photos of the different dimensions to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your product. Below are the different dimensions;
A - 42cm
B - 42cm
C - 42cm
D - 48.7cm
E - 48.7cm
F - 48.8cm
G - 25cm
H - 25cm
I - 25cm
J - 22cm
K - 22.4cm
L - 22.7cm
M -22.8cm
N - 11.3cm
O - 11.6
P - 6cm
Q - 6cm
R - 41.4cm
S - 41.9cm
T - 41.9cm
U - 47.4cm
V - 11.1cm
W - 10.9cm
Kindly look through them and let me know if there is anything else you would like to see before the item is shipped.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng.
Hi Vicky!
Everything seems correct. Looking forward to receiving it!
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON009503E-48157
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
31.86
|
| Cost of labour |
31.86
|
| Cost of packaging |
3.54
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
4.25
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
71.51
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
7.15
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
7.15
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to United Kingdom* |
50
|
| VAT (United Kingdom)* |
0
|
| Total |
135.81
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
