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How to Order from Bard Woodcrafts

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A Magic Wand is Not a Commodity

Before ordering a wand from Bard Woodcrafts, please consider what you are doing carefully. My wands are not toys and they are not commodities. When you order a wand from me you are ordering a living, spiritual entity that has been created by me and enchanted to accept a new owner as a partner in the practice of the magical arts. If you do not understand what I am talking about, then I suggest you read the information on this website more carefully and explore some of the fine books available on the magical arts.

The creation of a wand cannot be rushed. Often I have little control over when the wand is finished, partly because I am working on wands for a queue of customers, and partly because a wand will decide for itself when it wants to be "done." My workshop is not a factory. I am not mass-producing widgets or toys and I am not a businessman as such, nor is this an ordinary business that can be held to the same notions of time that other businesses embrace. This craft is one dependent upon the spirit worlds, the planetary intelligence, and dryads. All of these can present difficulties and demands that cannot be subjected to "scientific management".

What you will receive from Bard Woodcrafts is a unique work of art right down to the box it comes in, and I must presume you have chosen me to make your wand because you are pleased by the work you have already seen on this web site or in person. If speed means more to you than quality, then you would be advised to look elsewhere for your wand.

Be prepared to WAIT patiently. I realise that everyone wants to receive their wand as soon as possible. I do not mind if you send a polite e-mail to check on the progress of the wand. In fact, it is useful for me to be given a nudge every once in awhile because I am juggling any number of projects besides my wand-carving. However, I am bound to a large extent by the Moon and the wand's own will. Your wand will chose to be born at the proper time under the proper stars. While I do plan the time for enchantment, the wand does have veto power and sometimes it will be necessary to wait for another day to perform the enchantment. Neither you nor I should interfere with destiny.

A Note on Buying Wands as Presents

I do not recommend that you buy a wand from Bard Woodcrafts for someone else. The selection of a wand and the design of a custom wand are extremely personal matters and however well you think you know the person involved, it would be unwise to make the choice for them. Buying a wand is not simply an economic exchange, but is a magical exchange. As such it is necessary for the buyer to feel completely comfortable with the maker of the wand. If there is the slightest disatisfaction or ill-will between the two parties, the exchange may result in highly unpleasant magical consequences.

The only exception I make to this is in the case of a parent buying a wand for a young child and the case of couples who desire to have a wand they will both use. If a child is too young to chose for himself or herself, and you really think that there is some point to such a young child having a wand, then you may make the choice. However, I think it is better to wait until children are old enough to make their own choice and have some real understanding of the magical arts. Children, by their nature, are seldom able to control their will sufficiently to be allowed to do magic. In the case of couples, a "marriage" wand is traditional for some, but such a wand must be handled differently than a wand intended for a single user and the couple must exercise caution in making the decision together.

Please, examine your motives carefully. It will do more harm than good if you imagine that a wand is going to serve as an expression of your will and affection. That is not what a wand is for. That is what flowers are for. A wand must contain the users will and power and if you imbue it with yourself, you will not like the results and neither will the wand's recipient. You will succeed in binding yourself to the wand's user, but in a way that will interfere with the magic and likely cause everyone involved grief. I am not in a good position to judge your motives, but if you indicate to me that you are ordering the wand for another person, I am likely to ask questions and may refuse your order.

A Note to Underaged Wizards

If you are under the age of 17, your psyche is still forming and your brain and body are in a very precarious state due to hormonal changes. This is an important phase of your own growth and metamorphosis and adding the practice of magic to your life is only likely to cause grief. So, my advice is to wait. You do not need a wand. What you need is to read and study magic and educate yourself so that you can make a wise and mature decison not based on emotions, whims, or wish-fulfilment fantasies.

Making a Choice from Our In-Stock Section

Any of the wands on the In-Stock page can be ordered simply by clicking the PayPal button following the wand's picture. Shipping and handling charges will be automatically added. A wand that is in stock should be mailed within two days unless I am out of town. You should receive an e-mail reply from me after I have received your order

Making a Selection from the Galleries of Custom Wands

If you are drawn to a wand in one of the other galleries -- a wand I have made previously but which is not currently in stock -- then you may order a similar wand by clicking the PayPal button under its picture and description. If you do this, please also send me a proper order form and fill out all the details. In this way, I will have a clear record of exactly what you want. You can download the order form as a pdf, fill it in and send it as an email attachment. Or, if that proves too difficult, send an e-mail message containing all of the relevant information copied from the form.

Custom Consultations

To order a wand that is not based on any of the examples in my galleries, complete and send in an Order Form by post or electronic mail and I will contact you by return mail to consult on availability of woods, stones, and design particulars. Although I will make every effort to realize your vision, you must allow the artist some license to exercise his own judgment and creativity, in rapport with the desires of the wand itself. I will greatly appreciate it if you do not insist on micromanaging the process. The wand is an expression of your will, but not your will alone. Your will in concert with the spirit of the tree and my abilities. Stop and consider well before ordering. If you believe that a wand is merely a bit of wood, a prop, or an extension of your own ego, then I would rather you looked elsewhere as I will not be a suitable choice as your wandmaker.

Shipping and Packing

A flat shipping and handling rate of $12 will be included automatically when your PayPal order is processed. This covers the cost of a packing box and postage by USPS Priority Mail.

If ordering by post, please do not neglect to add $12 to the base price of your wand as indicated on the Order Form. This amount will be automatically added if you order via PayPal. I use USPS or International Priority Mail where available. This amount covers the cost of a mailing carton, postage, packing, and my running about to the post office.

International Shipping

International shipping requires an additional $10. Please click the International Shipping button above. If you are ordering internationally, allow extra time between the time we ship the wand and your receipt of it. You are responsible for paying any duty or fees required by your home country.

Wand Boxes and Bags

Included in the price of the wand is a tailored, handmade box and wand-bag. Fashioned of sturdy box board and handmade papers, one of our boxes will keep your wand safe when it is not being used and is itself a work of hand craftsmanship cut and glued by our own house elves. The wand itself will be wrapped in a protective cloth bag and padded with cotton batting.

Delivery Time

Please allow at least 8 weeks for delivery for all orders other than from the In-Stock page. Allow longer than that if you are ordering in November or December when I hardly ever have time to do any carving work. Orders are filled as they are received, and there is often a queue of customers in front of you, so you must be prepared to be patient.

Rush Orders

I am, from time to time, begged to get an order done by a particular date, for a birthday or anniversary present. No rush orders will be accepted, so do not even ask. If you believe that the crafting of a wand can be rushed, then you need to look elsewhere to woodworkers who are not enchanting their wands and probably have plenty of stock. Please visit the Fellowship of Wandmakers page to shop among many other fine crafters. If you wish me to make your wand, you will just have to get in line and WAIT.