Timber Trace Crafts Timber Trace Crafts

Materials, Sizing and Care

Caring for Your Timber Trace Pieces

Everything we make is built to last, and a little care keeps it looking its best for years. Here's how to look after each of our three main pieces.

Wooden Earrings

Our earrings are finished with Tried & True Original, a food-safe blend of polymerized linseed oil and beeswax. It's a natural, hand-rubbed finish—not a plastic shell—so it protects the wood while letting the grain show through. The trade-off is that it needs the occasional touch of attention.

Everyday care

  • Keep them dry. Take earrings off before showering, swimming, washing your hands, or working out. Prolonged moisture is the enemy of any oiled wood finish.

  • Avoid perfume, hairspray, lotion, and hand sanitizer contact. Put earrings on last, after those have dried.

  • Store them somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight—a drawer, a pouch, or one of our jewelry boxes. Steady conditions prevent the wood from drying out or fading.

Refreshing the finish

  • If the wood ever looks dull, buff it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth to bring back the sheen.

  • Over years of wear the oil finish can slowly wear thin. To renew it, wipe on a tiny amount of Tried & True Original (or any food-safe linseed/beeswax finish), let it soak in, and buff off the excess. A little goes a long way—you want a dry-to-the-touch surface, never an oily one.

  • For a light scratch or water mark, buff the spot with 0000-grade steel wool, then rub in a small amount of finish with a lint-free cloth.

The ear wires

Our ear wires are standard nickel-plated hardware. Keep them dry and wipe them occasionally with a soft cloth to keep them clean. If you have sensitive ears or a known nickel sensitivity, let us know at checkout—we're happy to discuss hypoallergenic alternatives.

Wooden Jewelry Boxes

Each box is hand-finished with three coats of Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze, a durable, moisture-resistant, high-gloss sealer, and lined inside with soft felt. The exterior is tough and smudge-resistant; the felt lining just needs a gentle touch.

Cleaning the outside

  • Dust with a soft, dry, lint-free or microfiber cloth.

  • For anything stickier, use a cloth barely dampened with water and mild soap, then dry immediately. The glazed surface wipes clean easily.

  • Skip ammonia, alcohol, and other harsh cleaners—they can dull or cloud the clear finish over time.

Cleaning the felt lining

  • Lift dust with a soft-bristled brush, a lint roller, or a handheld vacuum on low suction. The felt is held in place with adhesive, so brush lightly and avoid tugging at it.

  • For a spot on the felt, dab—don't soak—with a cloth lightly dampened in mild soapy water, then let the box air-dry fully with the lid open before closing it. Too much moisture can make felt pill or bead up, and can loosen the adhesive underneath.

Where to keep it

  • Keep the box out of direct sunlight, which can fade both the wood and the felt.

  • Avoid damp spots like bathrooms. Wood and felt both do best in a stable, moderate-humidity room. In very humid climates, a small silica gel packet tucked inside helps.

Stainless Steel Tumblers

Our tumblers are double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel, engraved with your design. The steel body is rugged and the engraving needs no special care—but the plastic lid does.

Washing

  • Hand wash both the tumbler and the lid with warm water and mild dish soap, then dry with a soft towel.

  • The plastic lid is not dishwasher safe. Heat from the dishwasher can warp it and damage the seal. Always wash it by hand.

  • We recommend hand washing the stainless body too, to protect the vacuum seal and the exterior finish over the long haul.

  • If the lid comes apart, separate the pieces and clean around the gasket and any drink opening, where residue likes to hide.

What to avoid

  • No bleach, chlorine, or abrasive cleaners or scrubbers—these damage the finish and the engraving area.

  • Don't microwave, freeze, or put boiling liquids under the sealed lid. It's built to keep drinks hot or cold, not to be heated or frozen itself.

Stubborn stains or odors

  • Make a paste of baking soda and a little water, let it sit in the cup for 5–10 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft sponge or bottle brush and rinse well. A splash of vinegar works too.


Questions about caring for your piece? Get in touch—we're always happy to help.