Based in Exeter, Devon, I make personalised word art gifts from the words that matter most to the person you love. Choose a hand-drawn digital Keepsake or Memories piece, or a hand-painted Heirloom canvas, all with UK delivery.
For over 22 years I’ve been gathering the words that hold someone’s story: what you love about them, the memories you share, the people who matter most and the places that shaped them. I turn them into one-of-a-kind artwork celebrating the people, pets, places and moments that matter most. It’s the kind of gift that makes someone stop, look closer and think, “You know me.” Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Wedding gifts and first anniversaries
Gather the words of their story: where they met, the song they danced to, the people who stood beside them and the day they said “I do”. A hand-painted Heirloom canvas (£299) turns them into something to treasure in their first home together. For a first anniversary, traditionally paper, a hand-drawn digital Keepsake (£49) arrives as a high-resolution file, ready to print on beautiful paper.
Milestone birthday gifts: 40th, 50th and 60th
A big birthday is a lovely moment to tell someone what they mean to you. Think about what you love most about them, the people they hold dear and the memories gathered over 40, 50 or 60 years. With Memories (£149), we’ll choose 25 words together, and I’ll hand-draw them into a digital artwork they’ll keep finding new words in. It arrives as a high-resolution file, ready to print at A4 or up to A3.
Anniversary gifts: paper, ruby and golden
From the first year (paper) to the fortieth (ruby) and the fiftieth (golden), an anniversary is a beautiful time to put a shared life into words: the places that hold their story, the family they’ve made and the moments they never want to forget. Choose red for a ruby anniversary or gold for a golden one, so the colours tell the story too. For a golden anniversary, a hand-painted Heirloom canvas (£299) holds around 50 meaningful words, one for every year.
Gifts for pet lovers
Pets are family, and the love we have for them runs deep. With a Keepsake (£49), choose a paw, dog or cat outline and 10 words: their name, the walks you share, the way they greet you at the door and everything you love about them. I’ll hand-draw them into a digital artwork, ready within 5–7 days. It’s a lovely gift for a proud owner, or a gentle treat for yourself.
Memorial keepsakes
When you’ve lost someone, the words that hold them matter more than ever. A memorial piece gathers what you loved about them, the memories you shared and the places that were theirs, and keeps them close, somewhere you can see them every day. Outlines such as the dove, butterfly, rainbow and star suit remembrance, and every word you share with me is treated with care and respect.
Christmas gifts
A Christmas present made from the words that mean the most is one they’ll keep long after the wrapping has gone. For a hand-painted Heirloom canvas in time for Christmas, please order by 10th November. Your digital artwork and a crafted card of the design are ready within 14 days, so there’s something lovely to give on the day. The hand-drawn digital Keepsake is ready within 5–7 days, so it’s a good choice if you’re ordering later (last orders 7th December).
New home and new family gifts
A new home or a new baby is the start of a whole new chapter. Fill the home outline with the street name, the day you got the keys and the first memories made there. Or welcome a new arrival with their name, their birth date and the names of the people who already love them. Choose a hand-drawn digital Keepsake (£49) or a hand-painted Heirloom (£299). It’s a gift that means more with every passing year.
How it works
- Choose your Journey and your outline. Pick Keepsake, Memories or Heirloom, then choose a shape from the Outline Catalogue, from a paw to a house to a dove.
- Find your words. The free Words Within journal prompts help you gather what you love about them, your special memories and the people and places that matter. With Memories and Heirloom, I’ll guide you personally too, and I’ll confirm every word and spelling with you before I begin.
- Your artwork is made by hand. I hand-draw your words into your chosen outline or, for the Heirloom, hand-paint them in acrylics on canvas. For a Keepsake or Memories, you’ll receive your high-resolution artwork, and your Heirloom canvas arrives gift-wrapped by Royal Mail Special Delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is word art?
Word art is a picture made entirely from words. With Journey of Words, I hand-draw or hand-paint your chosen words inside a shape you choose: what you love about someone, special memories, the people who matter most, and the places and dates that hold their story. Every part of the picture means something, and people often tell me they keep discovering new words long after it arrives.
How long does it take?
The Keepsake is ready within 5–7 days and Memories within 21 days. With the Heirloom, your digital artwork and crafted card are ready within 14 days, and your hand-painted canvas within 4–6 weeks. Timings start once I have your words, so if you need it for a special date, just let me know when you order.
Do you deliver across the UK?
Yes. Digital artwork is sent electronically, so it can reach you wherever you are. The hand-painted Heirloom canvas is gift-wrapped and sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which is included in the price. I’m happy to post outside the UK too. International postage depends on the weight of your parcel, so I’ll confirm the cost with you once your piece is packed.
Can I add specific words?
Yes, that’s the heart of it. You choose the words: 10 for the Keepsake, 25 for Memories and around 50 for the Heirloom. They might be what you love about someone, a memory you share, the names of the people closest to them or a place that holds their story. I’ll confirm every word and spelling with you before I start.
How much does personalised word art cost?
The Keepsake is £49 for an original hand-drawn digital artwork with 10 words. Memories is £149 for a co-created, hand-drawn digital artwork with 25 words, with my support on WhatsApp along the way. The Heirloom is £299 for around 50 words, hand-painted in acrylics on a 50cm canvas. You can pay in full or in two payments of £149.50.
Ready to give a gift that says “You know me”?
Or email me at sammie@journeyofwords.co.uk to talk through your idea.