This was one of the first products I made and one that remain popular. The wood I use is re-purposed and can vary in size from batch to batch so each one is made individually by me, by hand. Originally I used to buy the trim around the top edge but I have now worked out how to make this may self too. The customer chooses the wording for the sides of the window box and I programme the CNC machine to do the rest.
The box is bonded together and additional physical fittings are added to prevent any separation as the wood gets wet, or dries out when in use. Handles are added at either end and a neat top trim to finish things off. The box is then given 2 coats of Danish Oil or painted with a range of colours, white, grey, blue or green and then sanded for a "vintage" look. Finally the Hillsigns oak veneer badge is added at one end.
Everything I buy is bought locally and there are zero airmiles on the products I use. The packaging I use is also re-cycled from deliveries I receive except the final wrapper of black plastic that I have not been able to find a better alternative.
Once planted the window boxes bring herbs and flowers into the home with all the associated benefits. And as a personalised gift they have proven very popular. The 30cm box can have around 10 characters and the 60cm about 20. I've carded everything from people's names to Bible references and family slogans.
Keith Clarke
Hillsigns
October 2021
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