Letter and number stamping, +£10
The oldest method and the most honest. Hardened steel stamps are struck into the metal one character at a time with a hammer, leaving crisp, slightly uneven letters that are clearly made by hand. It suits short marks: a wedding date, two sets of initials, a house number, a year. Up to about 20 characters works well; more than that and the piece starts to look crowded.
Best on: candlesticks, door knockers, bottle openers, hooks, brackets and the flat faces of stands.
Runic carving, +£30
Runes are cut into the iron with chisels and gravers, then darkened so they read clearly against the finished surface. I use the Elder Futhark, the oldest runic alphabet, which was in use from about the second to the eighth century and is the one most Norse pagans and heathens work with today. Names, a short phrase of intent or a bind rune all suit this method.
Best on: wands, troll crosses, torcs, sword and wand stands, and any piece with a Viking or Norse feel.
| Rune | Name | Sound | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ᚠ | Fehu | F | wealth, cattle |
| ᚢ | Uruz | U | strength, the aurochs |
| ᚦ | Thurisaz | TH | thorn, giant |
| ᚨ | Ansuz | A | a god, speech |
| ᚱ | Raido | R | ride, journey |
| ᚲ | Kenaz | K / C | torch, knowledge |
| ᚷ | Gebo | G | gift |
| ᚹ | Wunjo | W / V | joy |
| ᚺ | Hagalaz | H | hail |
| ᚾ | Nauthiz | N | need |
| ᛁ | Isa | I | ice |
| ᛃ | Jera | J / Y | year, harvest |
| ᛇ | Eihwaz | EI | yew |
| ᛈ | Perthro | P | lot cup, fate |
| ᛉ | Algiz | Z / X | elk, protection |
| ᛊ | Sowilo | S | sun |
| ᛏ | Tiwaz | T | Tyr, victory |
| ᛒ | Berkano | B | birch, growth |
| ᛖ | Ehwaz | E | horse |
| ᛗ | Mannaz | M | man, humanity |
| ᛚ | Laguz | L | water |
| ᛜ | Ingwaz | NG | Ing, fertility |
| ᛞ | Dagaz | D | day |
| ᛟ | Othala | O | heritage, home |
A note on spelling: runes stand for sounds rather than modern letters, so a name is usually written as it sounds. Send me the name and I will write it out for you to approve before I cut it. If you follow a particular tradition and prefer the Younger Futhark or Anglo-Saxon futhorc, say so and I will use that instead.
Chemical etching, +£50
Etching uses a resist and an acid bath to eat the design into the surface, which gives the finest detail of the three. It is the method for longer wording, a line from a poem or your vows, a small logo, a signature or a drawing. It takes a day of preparation and masking, which is why it costs a little more.
Best on: flat or gently curved surfaces such as stand bases, plaques, knocker backplates and the sides of candle holders.
How to order
Choose the personalisation option on the Etsy listing when you add the piece to your basket, then send me a message on Etsy with the exact letters, date, runes or wording. I will confirm the layout before I make a mark. For anything that does not fit the three options, or for a piece that is not in the shop, send me an enquiry and I will quote for it.
Shop the pieces that take personalisation on Etsy, or read the iron anniversary gift guide.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Which personalisation is best for a wedding date?
Stamping. A date like 14.06.2020 is nine characters, which stamps cleanly and will still be readable in a hundred years.
Can you stamp or carve a piece I already own?
Often, yes, if it is iron or steel and I can get a stamp or chisel to the surface. Send me a photo and I will tell you.
How many runes can you carve?
A name or a short phrase up to about 12 runes on most pieces. A bind rune, where several runes are combined into one symbol, is a good way to fit more meaning into less space.
Will the marks rust?
Stamped and carved marks are sealed with the same wax and oil finish as the rest of the piece. Indoors they will last indefinitely; outdoors, give them the same yearly touch-up as any ironwork.
Can I see a proof before you make the mark?
Yes. I will send a sketch or photo of the layout for you to approve first.