Pen Cup
£300.00
A simple piece for the things you reach for every day.
Handcrafted from solid pine in my York workshop, this pen cup is designed to bring a little order to the desk without demanding attention. Hand-cut dovetails and a raised plinth reflect traditional joinery, whilst a shellac finish, polished with furniture wax, brings warmth and depth to the piece.
Whether holding pens, pencils or the small tools that accompany everyday work, it's a piece intended to be used often, quietly earning its place over time.
Quality takes time. Every piece is made to order with a lead time of 4 – 6 weeks.
Dimensions
Length: 12 cm
Width: 12 cm
Height: 12 cm
Materials
Pine & Wood Glue
Design
The simplest objects are often the hardest to get right. With very little to hide behind, proportion, craftsmanship and material become the design itself.
Hand-cut dovetails form both the structure and the defining feature of the piece, celebrating the honesty of traditional joinery rather than concealing it. A raised plinth gives the pen cup a lightness that contrasts with its solid construction, while the shellac finish quietly enhances the warmth and character of the pine. The result is an object designed not to draw attention, but to become a familiar and useful part of the workspace.
Finish & Feel
Each pen cup is finished by hand with shellac and a hard wax polish - traditional finishes chosen for their warmth, depth, and feel. I use a super blonde shellac to bring out the natural colour of the wood with minimal darkening, creating a soft glow that changes beautifully with the light.
Once the shellac has cured, I apply a hard wax polish by hand and buff it to a gentle sheen. The result isn’t glossy or artificial, just a smooth, tactile surface that almost feels soft to the touch. It invites use and grows richer with handling and time.
I chose these finishes because they honour the timber rather than consealing it or trying to make it something that it's not. The finish is simple, honest, repairable, and made to last.
Delivery
Smaller items that can be securely packaged and safely shipped will usually be sent by a specialist courier.
Larger pieces will be delivered myself.
