So, I started making chess boards as a hobby and now I love it! I’ve been playing chess and interested in other woodworking projects for quite some time and have a decent collection of boards and pieces which has expanded into other interests such as building Cutting Boards. I was looking for a new chess board and the problem I ran into when looking at major retailers was that they all have pre-bu
ild standard boards but none of them offer the option for me to help in the design process and make the board my own. So I decided to make custom chess boards to allow people to assist in the design process, choose their own woods, size of the board and additional features such as platforms for the board, frames (If you decide you like the framed look (some without are very modern looking which I like), with boards flush with the top of the frame or raised to accent the sides of the board for a more modern look), aesthetic enhancements (wood Inlay, on the frame, between the squares or on the sides of the board, square cornered frames or 45 degree mitered corners). The options are completely up to you and I always like to throw in my own creative ideas. I have tried to simplify the process by outlining options for the board so it is designed and made to your liking and unique just for you. If you are interested in a custom board, please message me with your personal email address and I can send you a list of options that walk through the process. Also, I encourage people to send me photos of board styles the have found online to give me an idea of what you are looking for. I don’t make replica boards but this is a good way to get started and give me a sense of your personal style. For reference, the board show in the image on my ETSY page is roughly 20in x 20in (board itself) with a 2in frame. The board is made from walnut and curled maple (sealed and finished with polished lacquer). The fame is made from purple heart with custom detailing including inlay made from maple, walnut and ebony wood. Pricing factors include cost of materials (lumber cost caries based on species of wood, exotic vs. domestic wood, etc.), labor, and complexity of the project. I will work with you on design and pricing so that we get you the board you truly want that falls in line with your budget. Please reach out with any questions you might have and feel free to message me throughout the process. As I mentioned, this is a “process” and does take time (remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, haha), but I assure you that I will work to get your board to you as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of the end result. I also make and sell cutting boards and happy to either make one custom for you or feel free to purchase on I have already made. We look forward to working with you!
