stephen McDowell stephen McDowell

Are You Tired of Misplaced Keys? Discover the Ultimate Solution with Our Handcrafted Wooden Key Holders!

It all begins with an idea.

Our handcrafted wooden key holders offer a unique and stylish solution to this common problem.

These key holders can be personalised with your family name and come with easy installation instructions and a tool to help mark the holes before hanging on the wall.


Handcrafted for Quality and Style

Handcrafted items carry a unique charm and a multitude of benefits that extend beyond their aesthetic appeal. Unlike mass-produced goods, each handcrafted piece tells a story, imbued with the skill, passion, and individuality of the artisan who created it. This personal touch often translates to higher quality and durability, as makers invest time and care into their work, frequently using superior materials. Choosing handcrafted supports local economies and independent artists, fostering a sense of community and preserving traditional crafts. Moreover, these items often have a smaller environmental footprint, utilizing sustainable practices and materials. Owning a handcrafted item connects you not just to a product, but to the human element behind its creation, making it a truly special and meaningful possession.

Because these are handcrafted, we can offer personalised options like adding a family name, changing a type of wood or the design of a piece.

The welcome here can be replaced with your family name.

 

Say Goodbye to Misplaced Keys

Our handcrafted key holders offer a stylish and practical solution to keep your keys organized and readily accessible. Designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind, these pieces provide a designated spot for your essential keys, eliminating clutter and saving you precious time. Whether mounted by the door or placed in a convenient entryway spot, our key holders ensure that your keys are always right where you need them, preventing those moments of pre-departure panic. With a variety of designs and materials to choose from, you can select a key holder that not only serves its purpose but also complements your home décor, adding a touch of handcrafted elegance to your space.

- Mention the key holder's size and capacity for multiple keys

 

Easy Installation with Everything You Need

Our key holders come with easy to follow instructions and a free placing tool which helps mark the holes on your wall without the hassle of wrestling with the piece and making a best guess where they should be placed,.

 

A Functional and Decorative Piece for Your Home

More than just a practical storage solution, our handcrafted key holders are designed to enhance your living space with their decorative charm. Each piece is thoughtfully created as a small work of art, adding character and warmth to your entryway, hallway, or any room you choose. From rustic wooden designs to sleek, modern styles, our key holders come in a variety of materials, finishes, and unique embellishments to suit diverse tastes and interior aesthetics. They seamlessly blend functionality with visual appeal, transforming a mundane necessity into an eye-catching accent piece. By choosing one of our key holders, you're not just organizing your keys; you're investing in a handcrafted item that elevates your home décor and reflects your personal style.

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stephen McDowell stephen McDowell

A few media sources ran a story about us in the past week.

It all begins with an idea.

In the heart of Inishowen, a small workshop in Moville is creating something truly special. Stephen McDowell, the founder of Bog & Brass, skilfully transforms 6,000-year-old ancient bogwood into stunning, handcrafted pens and razors.

Each piece is more than just a functional item – it’s a celebration of local history and heritage. One of Stephen’s pens has recently journeyed across the globe, carrying with it a tale of connection, craftsmanship, and ancestral pride.

John Mill, from Australia’s Gold Coast, has deep Donegal roots and visited the county last year to trace his family history – renting for two weeks in Inishowen. His great-grandfather, Charles Gallagher, left Brackey, near Ardara, for Australia in 1892, yet the family never lost sight of their origins – so much so that their home in Australia was named Brackey House. During his trip, John visited the very home where his ancestor once lived, a moment that resonated deeply with him.

With his son Patrick set to graduate from medical school in Australia, John sought out a meaningful gift to mark the occasion. He found exactly what he was looking for – a pen from Bog & Brass on www.irishhands.com – a new website which supports and promotes creative makers from the North West. However, the personal touch didn’t stop there; Stephen McDowell engraved Patrick’s initials on the pen, adding an extra layer of sentimentality.

“I wanted something truly special for Patrick, something that would remind him of where he comes from” John said. “The pen from Bog & Brass felt like the perfect choice – a unique object with history, beauty, and craftsmanship, all in one.”

Patrick, who now holds the pen as he embarks on his medical career, was equally touched. “It’s more than just a pen,” he said. “It’s a symbol of my family’s journey, a connection to my roots, and a beautiful piece of Irish craftsmanship. I can’t wait to use it to write my first prescription!”

For Stephen McDowell, stories like these are what makes his work so fulfilling. “Ever since I was young, I’ve had a fascination with wood,” he said. “It all started with collecting driftwood on the shore in Moville and turning it into little creations. That love for working with locally sourced wood grew into Bog & Brass, where I now handcraft pens, razors, and other unique creations that carry a piece of our history and heritage.”

Each piece Stephen creates tells a story, carefully shaped and finished with precision and passion. “At Bog & Brass, my goal is to make something that’s not just useful, but meaningful” he said. “Seeing the joy on a customer’s face like John or Patrick when they receive a piece that connects them to their Irish heritage is the most rewarding part of what I do.”

‘Irish Hands’ is dedicated to helping Stephen and fellow artisans from the North West share their wonderful craft and creations with the world. For individuals like John and Patrick Mill, a handcrafted pen transcends its function – it becomes a tangible link to their past, and a cherished symbol of both family and tradition.

Stephen McDowell’s handcrafted pens, razors, and other unique creations are available at www.irishhands.com/store/bog-brass

1.Patrick Mill with his ‘Bog & Brass’ pen

2. Stephen handcrafting his unique creations

Also featured in the Inishowen Independent





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