Commission a piece from a British maker
Tell us what you would like made and we will find a maker who can make it.
We work with makers across Britain, including some who are not listed on the site yet. If you want something made and you do not know who to ask, that is what this is for.
How does commissioning work?
Send us a brief. A sentence is enough to start, and you can attach pictures.
We reply within two working days, with questions or with makers.
We put forward two or three makers who could do it, with examples of their work.
You choose one. That maker writes a quote with a price and a date on it.
You accept the quote and pay the first instalment. The rest is paid in stages.
The maker sends a proof or a photograph for you to approve before the piece is finished.
We stay in the conversation from the brief until the piece arrives.
What can I have made?
Most things, as long as a maker we work with uses that material.
- A table built for a room with an awkward corner.
- A dinner service in a colour that is not on the site.
- A piece of silver for a wedding.
- A replacement for something that broke and cannot be bought again.
People come to us for gifts as often as for their own homes: wedding presents and favours, gifts for a client or a team, and leaving presents.
The crafts we cover include furniture and cabinetmaking, ceramics, glass, silver and metalwork, jewellery, textiles and weaving, basketry and woodwork. If what you want sits outside that, ask anyway and we will tell you whether we can help.
Who are the makers?
Everyone selling on The Haud is approved by us. We read every application, and we check where someone trained and whether they make the work themselves.
We also work with makers who are not on the site yet, so a commission is not limited to what you can see.
Some of our makers work in crafts on the Heritage Crafts Red List, which means very few people in Britain still do them. Others hold a guild credential or a QEST award.
A few other things people ask
What does it cost?
The maker sets the price. It depends on the materials and the hours involved, so we cannot give a figure until we know what you want.
Tell us your budget in the brief and we will only approach makers who can work to it.
The service is free and there are no hidden fees. You pay the maker's normal price and nothing else.
How long does it take?
Most commissions take a few weeks. Larger pieces can take a few months.
The maker gives you a date with the quote, before you pay anything.
If you have a fixed date, such as a wedding or a birthday, tell us at the start and we will only approach makers who can meet it.
If you need the same thing made in numbers, such as wedding favours or gifts for a team, contact us as early as you can. Some makers can repeat a piece many times and some cannot.
Can you send it abroad?
Yes, for larger commissions, arranged case by case.
The site ships to the United Kingdom and the United States. For anywhere else, tell us where the piece is going when you send your brief, and we will price the shipping and handle the paperwork before anything is agreed.
Can I commission as an interior designer?
Yes. Designers and architects can apply for a trade account, which gives you one point of contact instead of ten separate workshops.
If you are working on a project with several pieces in it, send the whole project as one brief and we will come back with makers for all of it.
Read about trade accountsDo I need an account?
No. Send the brief and we can talk by email.
Can I send photographs?
Yes. Attach them to the brief, or reply to our email with more.
What if I do not know what I want?
Shopping for the person who has everything? Or you know you need something, but not what it should look like? We will work with you to find the right maker, material and design. A fully bespoke design may carry a design fee, and the maker will tell you before anything is agreed.
What if I do not like it?
You approve a proof before the maker finishes it. If anything is not right, say so then and the maker will change it before going further.
Is it really free?
Yes. There are no hidden fees. You pay the maker's normal price and nothing else.
Tell us what you have in mind
There is no charge for this. We will reply as soon as we can, usually within two working days.