Education/Training in Woodworking for Ian Hawthorne, Hawthorne Fine Boxes Ltd

We are artisan box makers and have been operating a quality high-end box making business since
2002. Our one-of-a-kind bespoke boxes have been designed and created with an Art Deco and
Modern 20th Century influence and can be commissioned by contacting us directly. Our clients can
tailor their box designs in terms of the purpose*, dimensions, appearance, hardware, materials used
and by further personalisation. During design consultation we provide photo realistic renders of the
design, to help visualise the final piece before committing to the project. We believe in sustainability
and source our woods from responsibly managed forests. We also incorporate veneers with core
materials rather than use solid wood, in a way that benefits the look and durability of our boxes. We
often use intricate marquetry on our boxes. Using veneers provides us with opportunities to use more
exotic woods which would otherwise be too expensive or difficult to work with.
We exhibit at select events throughout the UK and participated at the Celebration of Craftsmanship &
Design event during August 2012 and 2014 in Cheltenham.
*Box types include presentation boxes, coin boxes, jewellery boxes, stationery boxes, cufflink boxes,
gentlemen’s boxes, trinket boxes, money boxes and ring boxes. Boxes range from £200 for ring
boxes with the most expensive box priced at over £10,000.

• History of artistic achievement
Includes awards, galleries, a sample of commissions, exhibitions, and publications.

Commission – private – 2024 – California, USA. I create a special keepsake box to celebrate the
birth of a grandchild. Created using exotic macassar ebony, bookmatched on the exterior, and lined
in rich emerald green suede. The project is shipped together with a photo book displaying clips of the
creative box making process.

Commission – business – 2022 and 2023 – Wales. We are commissioned by Royal Mint to design
and create three coin boxes for private collectors in the UK. One of which is to hold the Queen’s
Platinum Coin. Raw materials include walnut, sycamore, walnut veneers and suede lining.

Commission – private – 2021 – England. We design and create a Hobbit collection of 5 keepsake
boxes. The marquetry on each box lid depicts a different scene from the story written by JRR
Tolkien.

Commission – business (Trust) – 2019 – Africa – Our first Vault box is designed and created from
oak and oak veneers, black veneer and lined in mulberry suede. It includes several trays to hold
heirlooms including rings, necklaces, watches, bracelets and brooches.

Commission – private – 2016 – Mexico. An Art Deco style box is commissioned by a businessman
to hold stationery and a stylish collection of bespoke pens. Woods and veneers include macassar
ebony, sycamore, and walnut.

Commission – private – 2015 – New York. I created a large cufflink and watch box from fumed pear
in a mid 20th Century design. The lid top incorporated marquetry with the abstract design of the New
York Skyline and included mother of pearl to denote sky scraper lighting.

Commission – private – 2015 – Mexico. This customer requested a gentleman’s shaving box with
secret openings. The style is based on Victorian shaving boxes and it is given a contemporary feel
with an impressive marquetry lid top design that flows inside to the trays and lid interior.

Exhibition – January – March 2015 – Newtownabbey – Open Gallery Exhibition. We display our
own creations, the Thulean Box and Harmony Watch Box.

Exhibition – August 2014 and August 2012 – Cheltenham – Celebration of Craftsmanship and
Design. I created the Epic Launch Collection (Titanic box and trinket box collection in 2012) and the
Great Victory Collection for these events (WW1 Commemorative stationery box with matching
‘troop’ boxes in 2014).

Commission – Seiko – 2014 – UK. I created a watch box for top tennis player Novak Djokovic who
is ranked world number one and has played exceptionally well this year. In 2015 I will be creating
another watch box for their female ambassador.

Commission – private – 2014 – Mexico. I created a large gentleman’s box to hold watches, cufflinks
and other accessories. It is in a modern 20th century style using macassar ebony veneer.

Commission – private – 2013 – England. The Yorkshire Rose was the main decorative feature for a
privately commissioned jewellery box, with marquetered roses appearing on the six interior trays and
escutcheon as well as roses embossed onto watch rolls and specially made rose keys.

Commission – top jeweller designer, Jack Du Rose – 2013 – London. Bespoke boxes were created
to hold a bejewelled pendant necklace and several watches. I also created a large bespoke ring box
for the same designer.

Commission – private – 2012-2013 – Russia. I created two large jewellery boxes with marquetry
flowing over the box fronts and sides.

Commission – international company (confidential) – 2011 – UK. I created a commemorative
wedding box as a gift for HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Commission – private – 2010-2011 – Norway – I created a currency box for a financial entrepreneur
from Walnut in 2010. In 2011 I created a matching stationery box and a cufflink box.

Commission – private – 2010 – England – I created a cufflink box for a customer from Yew and
Macassar Ebony after they purchased a Yew Ring Box.

Commission – private – 2010 – England – I created cufflink boxes for a customer and his brother
from Ripple Sycamore, snakewood and Mother of Pearl.

Exhibition – November 2009 to June 2010 – 100@Designyard, Dublin. I created Art Deco style ring
boxes to sell at the exhibition for 100 Euro each. The gallery sold all 4 that were provided for the
event and have sold several more during 2010. They also sold the large Oak Upwards box in
December 2010.

Commission – January 2009 – ReACTions Theatre Group – HRH Prince Charles, was presented with
a pair of our Native Wooden Pens by members of the ReACTions Theatre Group, Ballyclare.
Commission – 2007 and 2008 – Ireland – for Irish knife craftsman. I created small quantities of
walnut presentation boxes for top of the range handmade knives on two separate occasions.

Commission – private – June 2008 –Antrim – for pottery craftsman. I created a large walnut box to
hold communion pottery.

Commission – private – January 2008 – England. I created an oak box to hold unusually sized rings
and other items of jewellery.

Commission – November 2006 – London based PR company. I created a large Walnut presentation
box to hold champagne, goblets and scented candle.

Commission – May 2005 – Irish Poppy with Base – turned, torched and stained wooden poppy with
polymer clay shamrock – commissioned by Newtownabbey Borough Council as a gift for Mr Bertie
Ahern TD.

Commission – May 2005 – Rowing Trophy with Base – maple and polymer clay with drift wood –
commissioned by G Hayhurst, Belfast Institute.

Commission – September 2004 – set of 6 Lord and Lady Royal Goblets – created for NI Timber
Trade Association as a gift for Kevin McCloud (Grand Designs)

Commission – August 2004 – Ulster Box – laminated turned box with base – commissioned by
Health & Safety Executive Northern Ireland for retired MP Tony Benn. A similar box was created
for the Royal College of Nursing for a guest speaker in early 2005.

Commission – private – 2004/2006/2009 – England – We created three keepsake boxes for a private
collector as gifts for grandchildren over a period of five years.

Commission – November 2003 – Mossley Mill Collection – Newtownabbey Borough Council. We
were commissioned to create a range of giftware from 200-year-old mill pine for visiting dignitaries to
the Borough – items incl bowls, a clock, candle holders, picture frame, egg timer, goblets, and vase.

Commission – March 2003 – Coca Cola Bottlers, Lisburn. We created 46 fully usable maple goblets
as VIP gifts.

Gallery – November 2009- 2011 – The Designyard, Dublin sold my Oak Trilogy box after selling the
Yew Trilogy box within two days of receiving it in May. The gallery has also sold my trinket/ring
boxes.

Gallery – March 2011 -2012 – The Burford Gallery, England, has sold several ring boxes.

Gallery – January 2011 to present – Dansel Gallery – England. The Steps box was sold from here in
March 2011 as well as two trinket Furnace boxes later the same year.

Publication – QP Watch Magazine – 2015 – The Harmoney Watch Box appears and is subsequently
sold via the magazine article to a client in Canada.

Publication – Good Woodworking Magazine – Summer 2011 – UK – an article on how I created the
furnace ring/trinket box.

Publication – Furniture & Cabinet Making Magazine – Summer 2011 – UK – an article on how I
created the Royal Wedding box will be appearing in the July 2011 edition.

Publication – Good Woodworking Magazine – January 2011 – UK – This was a five-page Project
Feature on a jewellery box named Steps which included pull-out plans for woodworkers.

Publication – December 2009 – Furniture and Cabinet Making – a small feature on the creation of
the Art Deco ring boxes.

Publication – April 2007 – Craftsman Magazine – Hawthorne Crafts is seriously Pro-technology.
This was a full page feature on Hawthorne Crafts and how we use the internet to promote and sell our
boxes.

Award – Newtownabbey Small Business of the Year Award 2004