What are the best ways to preserve my child’s artwork?

A fine question! Most will tell you to use folders or frames, which are perfectly acceptable ways of storing paper. However, to truly honour a piece of untamed imagination, the best method is to give it solid form. Transforming a fleeting drawing into a durable, handcrafted keepsake ensures the memory is not just stored away, but can be held and cherished for a lifetime.

What are some meaningful, sentimental gift ideas?

The most meaningful gifts are rarely the most expensive. They are the ones that hold a story. While a shop-bought present is forgotten by Tuesday, a truly sentimental gift, like a physical recreation of a personal memory or a cherished childhood drawing, becomes a family treasure. It proves you were listening, and that you understand what truly matters.

Why is it important to encourage a child's imagination?

A child's imagination is not just for playtime; it is the workshop where they build their future. It is where they learn confidence, solve problems, and make sense of their world. Celebrating their creative spark, by taking their ideas seriously and giving them a place of honour, is one of the greatest gifts you can give. It tells them their inner world is valuable and real.

A keepsake is different from a mere possession. It is an object that acts as a key to a memory. It could be a ticket stub from a first date or a seashell from a holiday. Its true value is not in what it is, but in the story it holds. A true keepsake, like a figurine made from a drawing, is a memory made solid, a piece of the past you can hold in your hands.

What exactly is a custom figurine?

A custom figurine is more than a mere model; it is a story given physical form. Unlike items churned out by the thousand in a factory, a true custom piece begins with a unique idea, your idea. It is then crafted by an artisan's hand, ensuring no two in the world are ever alike. At its most magical, it can be a direct transformation of a child's one-of-a-kind drawing into a tangible keepsake.

What is the difference between a figurine and a toy?

A simple but profound distinction. A toy is an object for play; its purpose is to be used, battered, and, perhaps, eventually forgotten. A figurine, particularly a keepsake, serves a higher purpose. It is a piece of art for display, designed not for fleeting play, but for lasting remembrance. It is a memory you can put on a shelf, a story that endures long after playtime is over.

FAQ - Your Questions Answered by Ostanes

About the Custom Figurines

Our process is a partnership between your memories and our craftsmanship. It unfolds in these stages:
Step 1: You Upload a Drawing & Place Your Order: You send us a photo of the childhood drawing you want to transform.

Step 2: 3D Sculpting & Your Approval (1-3 Business Days): Our digital artisans create a 3D model of the drawing. We then email this preview to you for your approval. You can request changes at this stage.

Step 3: Crafting & Finishing (4-7 Business Days): Once you approve the sculpt, we 3D print the figurine, carefully polish it, and if you've chosen the painted version, our artists meticulously hand-paint and seal it with a durable varnish.

Step 4: The Journey Home: Your one-of-a-kind keepsake is safely packaged and sent on its way to you.

After you place your order, we will email you with simple instructions on how to record and send us your audio message. We then link this message to a unique QR code on the figurine's base, ready to be scanned and played by any smartphone.

We build our keepsakes with safety and durability in mind.

Core Material: Each figurine is 3D printed using either a durable, plant-based PLA filament or a high-quality resin. Both materials are RoHS compliant and certified by the manufacturer as "not classified as a hazardous substance".

Finish:

-The fully painted version is meticulously sanded, polished, and hand-painted by our artisans, then sealed with a certified "toy-safe" (EN71-3) varnish for a lasting, premium finish .

-The DIY version is sanded to remove major blemishes and then coated with a non-hazardous primer, providing a great surface for your family's painting project.

No. It is very important to understand that this is a decorative keepsake, not a toy. It is designed and intended for display on a shelf or desk. While it is made with safe materials, it has not been designed or tested for play and should be handled with care.

My magic, you see, works best on the pure, untamed imagination of a child. I am looking for charming crayon creatures, wobbly-lined superheroes, and heartfelt family portraits. The magic is in the imperfection.

While I admire the skill of professional artists, my workshop is dedicated exclusively to celebrating and preserving genuine childhood drawings. For this reason, we cannot accept polished illustrations, technical drawings, or copies of famous characters from comics or films.

Our magic is focused on faithfully bringing the original childhood drawing to life. We can accept minor, reasonable changes during the first approval stage, such as a small tweak in posture or a different colour for a shirt. We cannot add new elements that are not in the original drawing.

A "custom figurine" refers to one primary object or character. If your drawing contains multiple distinct items (for example, a car, a dragon, and two people), this would be considered as Three separate figurines. Please contact us before ordering to discuss the best way to transform such a scene.

Ordering & Shipping

-For the fully painted figurine, the estimated production time is 7–10 business days.

-For the DIY version, production is quicker, taking 5–7 business days.

Our estimated production time is 7–10 business days, with UK shipping taking an additional 1–4 business days.

Please note that this timeline is an estimate and is dependent on your approval of the Process, Any delays in receiving your approval will extend the total production time. This collaborative approval stage is crucial to ensuring you love your unique, custom-made piece and is the reason we cannot offer full refunds for a change of mind once physical production begins.

UK Standard Shipping (1-4 business days): Free. UK Next-Day Delivery: £9.50.

Currently, we only ship to addresses within the United Kingdom.

A Few Past Enchantments

Each was once a fleeting scribble from a young mind. I simply gave it form, weight, and a whisper of magic. Do try to appreciate the effort.

Green Godzilla figurine with red mouth and four arms, inspired by a child’s drawing of a fantasy monster.

The Great Lizard of Cornwall

A vision by Sam, a creator of nine winters, from the rugged shores of Cornwall.

Superhero mum figurine inspired by a child’s crayon drawing, with a heart on the chest and cape spread open.

The Crimson Hearted Protector

Conjured from the imagination of Rosa, a visionary of eight years, from the kingdom of Denmark.

Brown cartoon-like figure with blue accents next to a hand-drawn illustration of the same figure on a purple surface.

The Mighty Brown Grumpus

From the boundless mind of Leo, a young artisan of five, from the bustling city of Manchester.

Handcrafted figurine of a colourful leopard based on a kid’s drawing, featuring multicoloured legs and black spots.

The Jewel-Spotted Hunter

Dreamt into being by Harry, a young artisan of six, from the quiet vales of the Cotswolds.

Custom figurine of a princess designed from a child’s drawing, wearing a crown and red dress, next to the original Drawing.

The Sovereign in Scarlet

Dreamt into being by Laura, a creator of eighteen summers, from the kingdom of Denmark.

Father and son figurine duo crafted from a child’s drawing, showing their playful poses and matching smiles.

The Unbreakable Bond

An enchantment woven by Leo, a young visionary of seven years, from the heart of Bristol.

Striped green and red animal figurine recreated from a kid’s colourful drawing, showing a tiger-like fantasy creature.

The Terribly Camouflaged Zebra

The work of Tom, a strategist of six years, from the borough of Slough. His tactics are... bold.

Do you have a particular concern?

I understand. Entrusting a precious memory to an old wizard you've just met on the... *internet*... can feel rather peculiar. If you have a niggle of doubt, a question about the process, or just need reassurance that we take this magic very seriously, send me a message. I'd much rather you be confident than concerned.

WhatsApp The Wizard The Wizard's Contact Information