Frequently asked questions.

Every piece is handcrafted by refugee artisans living on the Greek island of Lesvos. Many of them arrived from many different Middle Eastern countries, and Africa. We provide employment, pay fair market rates, provide tools, training, language immersion, and steady orders to make their craft a sustainable livelihood instead of charity. Meet the makers.

Every sale helps pay the artisan's living wage who made your utensil. Steady, predictable orders are what they need most — not one-time donations — because it lets families plan, save, and stay together. We also reinvest profits into expanding the workshop, adding tools, and training new carvers. Read our mission.

Lesvos has been home to olive groves for over 3,000 years. The wood we use comes exclusively from pruned branches and trees at the end of their fruit-bearing life — never freshly felled. Lesvos olive wood is unusually dense and tightly grained, which is what gives our spoons their durability and beautiful figured patterns. See how each spoon is made.

Yes. Olive wood is naturally food-safe, antibacterial, and heat-resistant. It will not leach chemicals, melt, or scratch your nonstick cookware. It's the same wood traditional Mediterranean kitchens have relied on for centuries.

We finish every utensil with food-grade, cold-pressed lin-seed oil, and beeswax — nothing else. The smaller coffee scoops and keychains are finished with pure food grade mineral oil. No varnishes, lacquers, stains, or synthetic sealants ever touch your spoon. What you see is the natural color and grain of the wood.

Because each one is. Olive wood grain is wildly individual — no two boards, branches, or finished pieces are identical. Color variation from honey-blonde to deep caramel, dark veining, and small natural knots are all signs of authentic, single-source olive wood.

No — and no quality wooden utensil ever is. The dishwasher's heat and prolonged water exposure can crack, warp, and dry out the wood. Hand-washing in warm soapy water and air-drying takes about 30 seconds and will keep your spoon beautiful for decades. See the full care guide.

Hand-wash with warm water and mild soap, rinse, and towel-dry. Never soak. Once a month (or whenever the wood looks dry), rub on a thin coat of our olive wood care balm — or food-safe beeswax and linseed oil — let it absorb for an hour, then wipe off the excess. That's it. Our full care guide walks through conditioning step by step.

With basic care, generations. We have customers using spoons their grandmothers passed down. Olive wood actually improves with age — developing a deeper patina and richer color the more you use it.

Small surface checks are normal and don't affect function — they usually close back up after the next oiling. See our note on cracks for what to do. If a piece develops a structural crack within the first year of normal use, contact us and we'll replace it under our Handmade Happiness Guarantee.

Yes. We laser-engrave names, dates, monograms, business logos, and short messages directly into the wood. Engraving is $1.90 per utensil for 50–100 pieces, $1.50 per utensil for 100–300 pieces, $1.00 per utensil for 300–999 pieces, and $0.80 per utensil for 1000 or more. There is no setup fee. Minimum order for personalization is 50 pieces of each engraving design — start a business gifting project.

A vector file (.AI, .EPS, .SVG, or .PDF) gives the cleanest result. High-resolution PNGs (300+ DPI on a transparent background) usually work too. Submit your artwork through our Business Gifting page and we'll send a digital proof before engraving anything.

Once your artwork is approved, engraved orders ship within 10–15 business days. Rush production is available — just let us know your event date when you request a quote.

All orders ship from our U.S. fulfillment center, not overseas. Domestic orders typically arrive within 5 business days. Free shipping on every U.S. order over $100. See the full shipping policy.

Yes — we ship worldwide. International transit times vary by destination (typically 7–14 business days). Customers are responsible for any duties or customs fees their country may charge.

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love with your piece, send it back within 30 days for a full refund or replacement — no questions asked. Personalized and engraved items are non-returnable unless they arrive damaged or defective. See the full Return & Shipping Policy for details.

Email a photo to lesvoswoodcraft@gmail.com within 7 days of delivery and we'll replace it at no cost. We pack carefully, but shipping is shipping.

Yes — and it's one of the best things we do. Custom branded utensils make memorable client gifts, employee appreciation gifts, and conference swag that doesn't end up in a drawer. Visit our Business Gifting page for pricing, sample requests, and to start a project.

Absolutely. Fill out the form on our Business Gifting page and we'll send a physical sample and full wholesale catalog at no charge.

Yes. Personalized mini spoons or spreaders are popular wedding favors that guests actually use. The 50-piece personalization minimum applies; volume pricing kicks in at 150+. Request wedding favor pricing.

We do — independent kitchen shops, gift stores, food halls, and farm-to-table retailers. Visit our wholesale page to request pricing, or find a dealer near you.

You'll receive a tracking link by email as soon as your order ships. If you can't find it, check your spam folder or email us — we'll resend it within the hour during business days.

Yes. Every order ships in a clean kraft gift box with a hand-tied ribbon at no extra cost. Add a personal note at checkout and we'll handwrite it on a gift card. Looking for a present? Send a gift card.

Yes. The Gift Keeper lets you save birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, get reminder emails before each date, and schedule a handmade gift or digital gift card to arrive on time. Set up free gift reminders.

Email us anytime at lesvoswoodcraft@gmail.com or use our contact form — we reply within one business day, usually much sooner.