Handmade Pencil Storage Rack | Made In the UK

Please note: This is a Personal Recommendation
​we do not sell or make this product ourselves.
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It's crucial to use proper storage for coloured pencils, as we learned from our own experience. As our collection grew, our old storage chest became too small, and expensive pencils were stored in places that didn't offer enough protection.

Wanting to give the pencils the love they deserved, we searched online for a more suitable option. Unable to find anything locally despite spending days looking and even checking Pinterest for ideas. We eventually came across a storage chest in an online art store, but disappointed with the inside. The drawers didn't have grooves to hold the pencils in place, and they didn't offer enough protection. However, we found a new design from the same shop with ten drawers, each holding 250 pencils - twice the old one. Thrilled with this find we wrote an article about it.

​If you're interested in purchasing one, you can find links on this page to buy directly from their website or eBay store. Please note: We have no affiliation with the company and can't answer any specific questions, so if you have any, please click the link below to email them directly.

Any questions about this product, you can contact the company direct here

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As artists, we love to support small businesses that create handmade products. This item is well-made and sturdy, with pine drawer supports for added strength and MDF for the rest of the unit. It can hold any pencil up to 10mm in diameter, including coloured, graphite, or pastel pencils. The box measures 33cm square and has a depth of 22.5cm.

It took less than three weeks to receive our order, but keep in mind that each unit is made to order so delivery times may vary depending on order volume. They work on a first-come, first-served basis and do not hold excess stock in their workshop. Delivery may take longer if you're ordering from outside the UK.​

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In August 2019, the manufacturer of these chests switched from using wooden inserts to black plastic grooved ones. The company made this change due to the large orders, making it time-consuming to machine 250 grooves for each pencil rack. The new plastic inserts are custom-made by a different company. They are securely attached to the drawer base using hot melt glue, making them sturdy. The creator of these units, Rod, even tested the strength of the plastic inserts by standing on one! These plastic trays are an improvement over the wooden ones because they are not susceptible to getting chipped or knocked over time.​

Each storage chest is free-standing and fully assembled using joints and glue, with smooth edges and ready to use straight from the delivery box. You can varnish, stain or paint the chest any colour, or even paint it with your artistic design to make it completely unique!
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Other articles that may be of interest

Coloured pencil brands | Comparison testing

Try one of our online mini art tutorials

Find out how pencil sharpeners can help your pencil art

A collection of articles on art papers & canvases

Previous designs by the company

In 2012, we purchased our initial pencil chest from Rod. The chest had only five drawers, capable of holding up to 125 pencils. However, the grooves inside the drawers did not extend to the front lip, leaving a gap of 45mm at the end. This gap could have been better, as small pencils often fell through and got stuck. The following design addressed this issue by removing the gap.

Their second design was much improved, made to fit inside the Kallax units, an Ikea product. There were five extra drawers, and it could now hold 250 pencils. Each drawer supported the full pencil, and the gap was gone. However, the grooves that held the pencils needed to be deeper, and the pencils would roll together if you accidentally knocked one into another. Apart from this, the design was spot on.

The new design on the left has shallower drawers than the old design on the right. However, the plastic inserts in the new design securely hold pencils in place and prevent them from rolling around, which could disturb other pencils. These inserts also provide extra ledges at either end, meaning you can store up to 270 pencils can be stored. This design is perfect for keeping additional products like pencil blenders, graphite pencils for outlines, or pens. The drawers on the old design are deeper. However, this difference is purely cosmetic and does not affect the support provided by each drawer.

Looking to purchase your own pencil chest?
​Click one of the links below.

Inside the UK? Visit the website and get free P & P

Outside the UK? Visit their eBay store for low-cost P & P

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The products and the workshop

Rod Patient is the sole owner of Creations by Rod, operating with a small team from their workshop in Harrietsham, Kent. With national and international delivery available, the company currently boasts a diverse product line of 32 unique designs, including the versatile pencil chest. While primarily catering to the creative market, their products can store anything. For custom-made products, contact Rod directly. It is important to note that we are not affiliated with this company and cannot provide any additional information beyond what is presented in this article.

Any questions about this product, you can contact the company direct here

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First written: March 2018
​Updated: June 2023