FAQ
About the Artwork
Why are Smithereens pieces priced higher than mass-produced wall décor?
Smithereens creates finished works of dimensional art, not factory-made decorations. Each piece is produced one at a time using carefully selected wood, detailed CNC carving, extensive sanding and finishing, integrated lighting, custom mounting components, assembly, testing, and final inspection.
The price reflects the materials, equipment, labor, lighting system, scale, and craftsmanship required to turn a digital relief into a finished physical artwork. Most listings feature the exact completed piece being sold, rather than a product made repeatedly from identical materials.
Are Smithereens pieces handmade?
Every finished Smithereens piece is made one at a time in Utah using a combination of digital design, CNC carving, and hands-on craftsmanship.
The CNC machine performs the primary carving, but it is only one part of the process. Each artwork still requires material selection, panel preparation, machining setup, toolpath preparation, carving, sanding, staining or oiling, painting when applicable, clear finishing, lighting installation, mounting, assembly, testing, and final detailing.
Smithereens does not describe its CNC-carved work as hand-carved.
What does CNC-carved mean?
A CNC router is a computer-controlled carving machine that removes material from the wood using specialized cutting tools. It allows Smithereens to create dimensional reliefs with depth, movement, and detail that would be extremely difficult to reproduce consistently by other methods.
The machine does not independently create or finish the artwork. Every project still requires a digital model, machining decisions, material preparation, tool selection, setup, supervision, sanding, finishing, lighting, mounting, and assembly.
Where do the designs come from?
The underlying digital designs used by Smithereens may be created by Skyler, purchased from independent designers, or used under an appropriate commercial license.
When a design originates with another artist or designer, Smithereens does not claim authorship of the original digital model. Smithereens transforms that model into a finished physical artwork through material selection, scaling, toolpath preparation, CNC carving, sanding, staining, painting, clear finishing, lighting installation, mounting, assembly, and final detailing.
Any relevant design information may also be included in the individual product description.
Are your pieces one of a kind?
Most current Smithereens listings are one-of-one finished artworks. The customer receives the exact completed piece shown in the listing photographs.
A digital design or general concept may appear again in a future piece, but the same wood grain, coloration, carved surface, finish, lighting presentation, and final appearance will not be reproduced exactly.
When a piece is part of a limited collection rather than a true one-off, that will be clearly stated in the product listing.
Will sold pieces ever be restocked?
A sold piece may inspire another artwork with a similar design, size, material, or overall feeling. However, the exact finished artwork shown in a one-of-one listing will not be recreated.
Each new piece will have its own wood grain, natural variation, finish, coloring, and final character.
What kinds of wood do you use?
Smithereens primarily works with solid wood panels selected for their grain, strength, carving characteristics, and visual presence. Current pieces may use woods such as acacia, hevea, pine, or other species suited to the individual design.
The specific wood species will be identified in each product listing whenever it is known.
How is the wood prepared and finished?
The process varies by artwork, but may include panel preparation, CNC carving, detailed sanding, staining, Danish oil, painted accents, protective lacquer, polyurethane, or another clear finish.
The exact materials and finish used for each artwork are listed on its product page.
Will solid wood change over time?
Solid wood naturally responds to changes in temperature and humidity. It may expand, contract, or develop minor variations in curvature or surface flatness as the surrounding environment changes.
Smithereens uses construction methods intended to help accommodate normal wood movement. Depending on the piece, these may include integrated borders, rear support structures, and movement-accommodating fasteners.
These methods help manage movement but cannot eliminate it completely. Minor seasonal changes are natural characteristics of real wood and should not materially change the artwork’s overall appearance or visual impact.
For the most stable long-term display, keep the artwork indoors in a reasonably temperature-controlled environment. Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive humidity, extreme dryness, strong sunlight, fireplaces, radiators, and heating or air-conditioning vents.
Will the piece I receive look exactly like the photographs?
For one-of-one listings, you will receive the exact completed artwork shown in the product photographs.
Lighting may look somewhat different in your home depending on wall color, room brightness, camera settings, the selected lighting color, and the distance between the artwork and nearby surfaces.
Lighting and Installation
What kind of lighting do the illuminated pieces use?
Most current illuminated wall artworks use premium Govee COB lighting, including the Govee COB Strip Light Pro, unless otherwise stated in the product listing.
COB lighting produces a smoother, more continuous line of light than a traditional LED strip, helping reduce the appearance of individual light points around the artwork.
The exact lighting model included with each piece will be listed on its product page.
Can I change the color and brightness?
Yes. The lighting can be adjusted through the Govee app and the included physical controller. Depending on the lighting model, compatible smart-home controls, lighting scenes, schedules, and additional effects may also be available.
The artwork remains designed to function as dimensional wall art when the lighting is turned off.
Is the lighting already installed?
Yes. Unless otherwise stated, the lighting is installed, tested, and ready to use before the artwork is shipped or collected.
The customer will still need to mount the artwork, connect the power adapter, and complete any desired cord management.
Can the lighting be serviced or replaced?
The lighting is installed in a way intended to allow future access, servicing, or replacement. The exact mounting arrangement may vary by artwork.
Replacement availability may depend on the lighting manufacturer and whether the same model remains available in the future.
Do wall-mounted pieces include hanging hardware?
Current wall-mounted pieces generally include:
The French cleat already attached to the artwork
The matching wall-side cleat
Mounting screws and drywall anchors
A small level
Hanging and lighting instructions
The exact contents will be confirmed in each product listing.
Different wall materials may require different fasteners. The customer is responsible for confirming that the included hardware is appropriate for the wall and the artwork’s weight.
How far does the artwork project from the wall?
Most illuminated pieces use a rear spacer and French cleat system that allows the artwork to float approximately two inches from the wall.
The floating space creates room for the lighting system and allows the glow to spread behind the artwork. Exact projection measurements are listed on each product page.
How can I hide the power cord?
Common options include using a paintable cord cover, routing the cord behind furniture, or positioning an electrical outlet behind the artwork.
Any new or relocated electrical outlet should be installed by a qualified electrician. Product listings may include the approximate open area inside the rear spacer to help customers determine whether an existing outlet and power adapter will fit behind the artwork.
Should I install the artwork myself?
Installation by two adults is recommended, particularly for larger pieces weighing approximately 25 to 40 pounds or more.
The French cleat system is intended to simplify installation, but customers should confirm that the cleat is level and securely attached using fasteners appropriate for the wall. Professional installation is recommended whenever there is uncertainty about the wall construction, fasteners, electrical placement, or artwork weight.
Ordering and Availability
Do you offer custom orders?
Smithereens is not currently accepting custom orders.
This may change in the future. Newsletter subscribers will be the first to hear about custom-order openings, new collections, and shop updates.
Do you offer local pickup?
Yes. Free local pickup is available in or near Utah County, Utah.
Pickup instructions will be provided after the order is placed and prepared.
Shipping
How long does shipping take?
Most in-stock artworks ship within three business days. All orders are generally shipped within ten business days unless a different timeframe is stated in the product listing.
Larger pieces may require additional preparation because of their size, weight, packaging, or carrier requirements.
Where do you ship?
Smithereens currently ships within the United States.
How much does shipping cost?
Free
Orders generally ship through UPS or FedEx. The carrier may vary depending on the artwork’s dimensions, weight, destination, and available service.
Are shipments insured?
Yes. Shipped orders are insured and carefully packaged to help reduce the risk of damage in transit.
Customers should keep all packaging until the artwork has been inspected and confirmed to be in good condition.
What should I do if my artwork arrives damaged?
Contact help@smithereensco.com as soon as possible.
Please include photographs of:
The damaged artwork
The interior packaging
The exterior shipping box
The shipping label
Any visible damage to the box
Do not discard the box or packaging until Smithereens confirms that it is no longer needed for the carrier claim.
Returns and Support
Do you accept returns?
Returns are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Contact help@smithereensco.com if there is a problem with your order or you would like to request a return. Approval may depend on the artwork’s condition, the reason for the request, and whether the piece was damaged, altered, installed, or used.
Approved returns must be packaged securely and returned according to the instructions provided by Smithereens.
Do the artworks include a warranty?
Many current artworks include a 24-month warranty when stated in the product listing.
The warranty applies only to the specific coverage described with the artwork. It does not cover damage caused by improper installation, unsuitable wall hardware, accidents, misuse, unauthorized modifications, environmental exposure, or normal changes associated with solid wood.
How can I hear about new artwork?
Sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the website. Newsletter subscribers will receive updates about new releases, available one-of-one pieces, limited collections, studio updates, and future custom-order availability.