The Carved Story

In 2011, John & Grant started trying to make the perfect wood phone case. And today, we're still trying! We believe perfection is a process, not a goal.

Here's how we got here...

2011June

It begins...

Carved was started because we didn't want a black phone case. We wanted something unique, something beautiful and something made with natural materials. The iPhone is metal and glass, we wanted something that showed off a bit more of who we were.

The idea was to make phone cases with wood. If we wanted them so bad, maybe others did too?? We didn't exactly know how to do that, but figured that shouldn't stop us. So we dove in, and bought some machines...
2012
 Our first machine!

Our first machine!

It all started with this laser. On the other side of the room is our CNC. We had some difficulty figuring out how to use them, so we put an ad on Craigslist looking for a CNC expert to help us in the evenings. That's how we met Jerry! Thanks to him, this next photo exists...
2012May
 Our first solid case!

Our first solid case!

This took us a loooong time to make. The buttons are all solid punched brass. Two part design that slides on the top and bottom of your phone.
2012July
 Our first logo

Our first logo

This is a wood skin for the iPhone 4, the first product we actually started selling.
2013March
 Our first Sk8 case

Our first Sk8 case

We collected a bunch of broken skateboards, ripped off the grip tape, cut them down and glued the strips together, creating a beautiful colored line pattern. For #1, we all signed it and sold it to a lucky customer.
2013June
 Carved in AT&T stores!

Carved in AT&T stores!

For the summer in 2013, our cases were distributed in 200+ AT&T stores around the USA. This picture is from a custom display we built for their flagship store in downtown Chicago.
2013Dec
 We start accepting Bitcoin

We start accepting Bitcoin

Yep, we used Bitcoin before it was cool :) But here's a sad story: We lost access to the wallet that stored all our bitcoin. At the time it wasn't a huge loss, but over the years it's gotten more and more painful to see it. The wallet had 5 bitcoin in it :(
2014Oct
Our first Live Edge case

Our first Live Edge case

We started with clear resin and some really gnarly wood. 9+ years later, we are still perfecting it each day.
2014Oct
 Recognize these guys?

Recognize these guys?

Yep, we knew about them before they were huge (just like the bitcoin)
2015March
 Our first Wood+Resin inlay case

Our first Wood+Resin inlay case

As soon as we saw this material, we totally fell in love with it. The infinite variety of colors, burls and swirls exploded our minds with what was possible. Almost 10 years later, this is still one of our highest liked Instagram photos ever.
2015September
 Our World Map is famous

Our World Map is famous

One of our customers sent us this photo of Emily Blunt just snapping a casual selfie. NBD.
2016April
 The flattest yoga mat ever

The flattest yoga mat ever

I guess we must have been kind bored in early 2016 and somehow started this fun little tradition for our team. IYKYK
2016May
 First day in our new (old) building

First day in our new (old) building

We've lived in 3 different buildings since the start, this is the third and (hopefully) final. We spent about a year renovating this beautiful 110 year old brick and timber building.
2016May
 INC 500

INC 500

A huge accomplishment for our team! We were listed on the INC 500 list of fastest growing companies in America in 2016.
2017June
 Dude Perfect!

Dude Perfect!

We made some custom cases for Dude Perfect and they were used in this scene from Real Life Tricks.
2017August
 Tony Hawk! What?!

Tony Hawk! What?!

Ok we still can't quite believe this one. One day, Tony Hawk slides into our DMs and asks if we can make him a skate case. So we do what any rational human being would do. We fainted. A few hours later when we came to, we made the guy a skate case! We actually used a few of his old ridden boards to make the case. One of the coolest projects we've ever done. Here's the story and video of the process
2018November
 Hunting knives

Hunting knives

The most amazing knife you'll ever own. Forged Damascus Steel, hand ground and totally one of one. Limited stock available.
2020November
 First Star Wars Monolith

First Star Wars Monolith

I think this is our highest liked Instagram post ever. Just take a look at this beauty...
2022May
 First Desk

First Desk

Gary is just having some fun in the shop one day...and out pops this insane desk!
2023May
 Second Star Wars Monolith

Second Star Wars Monolith

...and another top liked photo. Possibly our biggest and coolest monolith ever.
Today...And onward!
 So what's next?

So what's next?

We've always got new ideas brewing and we love learning new things, so stay connected :)

Ready to see what
we made today??

What Our Customers Say

Over 200,000 happy customers since 2011

5 Star Review We love this company! The products are one of a kind and super high quality! We have bought many items and are delighted every time! Michelle E. iPhone 14 Traveler Case
5 Star Review Great colors, perfect protection and fit, amazing feel, and great magnet inside to hold my wallet handy! Thanks for a great product! Viacheslav K. iPhone 14 Live Edge Case
5 Star Review So unique and well made. My husband receives compliments on it all the time. Thank you for offering such a one of a kind bracelet. Lisa V. Classic Bracelet
5 Star Review Wow, my second purchase from Carved. It was an impulse buy, but no regrets. It’s is so pretty and well made. Very pleased. Mary B. Bar Necklace
5 Star Review Purchased as a gift, and my brother says it's just perfect! Charges his iPhone and fits in perfectly with his Scandinavian décor. Donald M. Wireless Charger
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Man standing by desk Photo of a Person wearing bandana