2002 - 2004

We launch our box making business in Nov 2002. Our box creations are individually crafted and then sold worldwide via our website. We become members of Craft NI and The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, then win Small Business of the Year Award (Newtownabbey). We sell our boxes through Galleries and create a limited edition of ring boxes for the Design 100 exhibition (see above Portrait Ring Box).

2007 - 2008

We are commissioned to create box collections for international entrepreneurs from Russia (see above) and Norway.

Business expansion – Ian moves from his part-time role to become a full-time self-employed artisan box maker.

Box Commission for Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William to Kate Middleton. Several articles on box making feature in Good Woodworking Magazine (Full Bloom and The Boxmaker’s Art)

We win Small Business Sunday Competition with website details retweeted by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis to over 250,000 followers. We create the Epic Launch box collection to commemorate the Launch of the Titanic in 1912.

We create a small selection of bespoke boxes for top jewellery designer Jack Du Rose, based in London. We are also commissioned to create a wedding keepsake box with a very art deco grandeur.

We are commissioned by Seiko to create the Champion Watch Box for their ambassador, Novak Djokovic, who wins at Wimbledon in 2014. We exhibit at the Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design event held in August 2014 in Cheltenham. The Great Victory Box Collection is created for this event and commemorates World War One (sold privately).

A further box commission from Seiko. This time for top Russian long jump athlete Darya Klishina who receives the Olympian Watch Box. Our Harmony Watch Box features in specialist QP Watch Magazine and is consequently sold and exported to Canada.

We expand to become a Limited Company, employing staff and becoming an Invest NI supported business. The Art Deco style box pictured above, is commissioned by a Mexican businessman to hold stationery and a stylish collection of bespoke pens.

We launch our new website with our new Hawthorne brand. We introduce a new limited edition range – Colour Fusion – available from selected galleries in England and Ireland.