Shop-made gifts are always well loved. But if you really want a project to become a cherished family heirloom, you can make it even more special by adding a personal touch. Here are some ideas for adding subtle details, designs, names and dates to pieces you'll be giving away as presents. However you choose to ornament your projects, keep it personal, and people will remember you every time they see your handiwork.
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1. Rout words and names into project parts using the SignCrafter with TurnLock (Milescraft, $47)
2. Use a woodburning pen to sign your projects. A fine-tipped pen is best for signatures, as shown on the Cub, a compact model from Colwood ($84)
3. Use SpiroCrafter templates with your router to carve decorative patterns or create lacey cutouts (Milescraft, $57)
4. Make your mark using steel Lee Valley Carver's Punches to imprint tiny symbols. This set includes many kid-friendly patterns ($69)
5. Novice carvers can try a Moor chip-carving knife and a basswood practice board with patterns printed on it from Chipping Away (Large Cutting Knife, $28; Set of Pre-Drawn Boards, $14)
6. You can order a custom-milled brass branding iron with your name on it. Heat the brass block with a propane torch, lay it flat on the wood and rock it for a few seconds to put even pressure on all four corners. Lightly sand the raised mark left by the brand before finishing (Lee Valley, $54)
7. Use the Veritas Beading Tool to add fine moulding details-beading, fluting and reeding-to furniture. You'll get a look you can't replicate with a router ($58)
8. To get started with pyrography (“woodburning” to you and me), pick up a Dremel VersaTip Multipurpose Tool Kit and learn to burn your own decorative patterns ($40).
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