Chester Drawers Diaries
Welcome to Chester Drawers Diaries — the story behind the making.
Here you’ll find videos from my YouTube channel showing the journey of Chester Drawers, from the first ideas and handmade pet memorial frames to keyrings, keepsakes, workshop projects and the little moments in between.
Chester Drawers was started in memory of my best friend Chester, and every video is part of that story — learning as I go, making by hand, sharing the process, and creating keepsakes that are inspired by the love we have for our pets.
Some videos show the finished pieces, some show the mistakes, the sanding, the carving, the thinking, and the emotions behind each build. It’s not about perfection — it’s about memory, love, and turning something simple into something meaningful.
Thank you for watching and being part of the journey.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
It Only Happened Yesterday – The Start of Chester Drawers
This was the very first Chester Drawers Diaries video, recorded the day after losing Chester.
It’s raw, emotional and far from polished, but it explains where the idea began — wanting to turn the pain of losing my best friend into something positive, meaningful and full of love.
This is the start of the Chester Drawers journey: creating handmade pet keepsakes in Chester’s memory, and hopefully helping others remember their own much-loved companions with a smile as well as a tear.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
The First Night Without Chester
In this video I talk more about my own thoughts and beliefs around Chester’s passing, and why I feel there can still be something positive to come from such a painful loss.
Losing Chester broke my heart, but I also believe every cloud has a silver lining. Chester gave me ten years of love, loyalty and happiness, and this video is part of me trying to turn that love into something meaningful.
This is where the idea behind Chester Drawers really starts to take shape — remembering Chester with love, not just pain, and using his memory to help create something positive for others.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
Clearing the Shed – The First Step for Chester Drawers
In this episode, I take the first real step towards creating Chester Drawers by clearing out the shed and making space to work.
After losing Chester, I wanted to turn the pain into something positive — and this is where that journey starts to become practical. Before any frames, keyrings or keepsakes could be made, I needed somewhere to create them.
It may only be cleaning, sorting and making room, but to me this was the beginning of building something meaningful in Chester’s memory.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
Let there be Light
In this episode, I’m replacing the lights in the shed after accidentally leaving them on over Christmas and burning them out.
Before I can properly get on with making plaques, memorials and keepsakes for Chester Drawers, I need a workshop I can actually see in — especially for filming the journey as well as doing the work.
It’s another small but important step in getting the shed ready and turning it into a working space for Chester Drawers.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
When Memories Catch You – Remembering Chester
In this video, I talk about those little moments that suddenly bring the loss back — the small triggers, memories and reminders that can catch you when you least expect it.
Losing Chester still hurts, but I’m trying to focus on the love, the memories and the years of happiness he gave me, rather than only the pain of him not being here.
Part of the Chester Drawers journey — remembering with love, one step at a time.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
Nemo enimMaking the Chester Drawers Sign – Part 1
In this episode, I start making the sign for the Chester Drawers YouTube channel and workshop.
It’s another step in bringing Chester Drawers to life — not just as an idea, but as something real that I can build, share and grow in Chester’s memory.
This is part one of the sign-making process, as I continue creating the workshop and the story behind Chester Drawers.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
Making the Chester Drawers Sign – Part 2
In this episode, I continue making the Chester Drawers sign and get the first bit of machinery work done in the shed.
After clearing the space and getting the lights sorted, this feels like another proper step forward — turning the workshop into a place where I can start creating memorials, plaques and keepsakes in Chester’s memory.
Part two of bringing the Chester Drawers sign, workshop and journey to life.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
A Walk by the River – Remembering Chester
In this video, I take a walk by the river and talk about the memories it brings back of Chester.
Places like this can feel very different after losing a much-loved companion. The walks, the little routines and the quiet moments suddenly carry so much more meaning.
It’s a short, honest reflection on missing Chester, remembering the bond we shared, and trying to hold on to the love and happy memories rather than only the pain of losing him.
Part of the Chester Drawers journey.
Created by hand, inspired by love.
Goodbye Shandy – Remembering a Much-Loved Family Member
This video is a tribute to Shandy, my brother’s much-loved dog and a very special part of our family.
She brought love, laughter and so many happy memories into their lives, and although saying goodbye is never easy, those memories will always stay.
Rest peacefully, Shandy. You were loved, and you’ll always be remembered.