Zavvi Albus Dumbledore Wand (Product Review)

If I possessed the Elder Wand, what would I use it for? 

I pondered this question recently as I received Albus Dumbledore's wand from Zavvi.

Albus's wand arrived in two boxes. The first box is black with a glossy finish and protects the purple wand holder with a matte-like finish.  There's an oval cut-out in the black box to show off the reflective seal with Dumbledore's name and Hogwarts inscription underneath. Most wand boxes are plain without much extra detailing, so this was a nice surprise. The latter box also contains a strip of soft padding as well as a cut-out mold to hold the wand.

As a recreation from the wands in the films, the resin design is identical. Zavvi's wand fits the quality of wands that I look for - playful to not feel like it's going to break but sturdy to carry with me to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or put on display. The wand is about 15 1/2 inches long, and the structure is strong enough to not bend and has a steady weight from the handle to the tip.

One small attention-to-detail that makes a huge difference is the metal clasp stand with keyring plaque. Dumbledore's rounded handle makes the length of the wand unbalanced when displayed horizontally. The metal clasp sits snuggly on the wand's tip to hold it up. I wish my other wands had this accessory because it creates such a smooth display on my bookshelf.

I've mostly bought wands at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks or had custom wands made. I didn't quite know what to expect receiving one from an official retailer. I'm happy to say it does not disappoint - not only does it feel like I bought it at Ollivanders, but Zavvi's wands comes with a few extra perks I wish were available elsewhere.

Overall, I'm so happy that Zavvi extended to send me Albus Dumbledore's wand. It's a welcome and exciting addition to my collection. Please check out more photos below of the case, wand, and stand.

Please Note: I received this wand from Zavvi in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own. I do not receive commission if you click on any of the links in this post. If you'd like to send me a product to review, check out my work with me page. Thank you for supporting my site!

Will O'Wips's Wand Emporium (Product Review)

Inspired by the Harry Potter series, an Amazon store Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium designed five special wands for wizards and witches to wield their magic and cast charms.

Having collected personalized and one-of-a-kind wands to add to my collection, the owners of the store sent me one of their designs for having shared the exciting news of the store earlier on my blog.

Please Note: I received this wand from Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium in exchange of a review. Opinions are my own. I do not receive commission if you click on any of the links in this post. If you'd like to send me a product to review, check out my work with me page. Thank you for supporting my site!

Every aspect of the wand and its display case is carefully crafted and imaginatively designed. 

Harry Potter fans Matthew and Pavi commissioned 500 wands and boxes from artisan woodworkers. The passion project features five original designs. Each are given a special name - Summoner, Evoker, Enchanter, Charmer, and Conjurer - and certificate of authenticity with an unique serial number. Beautifully carved and finished from solid beechwood, each wand also comes with a fabric-lined rosewood-stained display box with a gold-colored filigree on the top lid.

An original backstory brings you into the story of the wands' creations as fans are invited to heed the warnings of the Department of Magical Affairs to protect themselves against dark wizards called Malum Draco. All of the wands are made from beechtree, giving wizards extra defenses in dispelling the effects of hexes and jinxes.

Will O'Wips's Wand Emporium Review

The wand I selected was The Conjurer - it has a beveled handle with indentations and curved end. Measuring at 15 inches long, the wand is about the same length as the wands purchased from official Harry Potter retailers - making it a perfect instrument to cast spells. The wand has a beautiful caramel color and stained finish, making it pop and stand out against other wands that I have.

The display box with the golden lining is a thoughtful example of the attention to detail the owners have their creation. Similar to the wand, it's craftsmanship is sturdy and tailored to the wands size, so there's no need to worry about how to store the wand when it's not in use. The shop makes sure to think of all the details so Hogwarts students, Aurors, and wizards can enjoy their handmade collectible as soon as they open the box.

Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium is an original shop inspired by the magic of Harry Potter and are currently helping other fans created their own with their wand collection. The shop is open on Amazon and Etsy.

Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium Releases Limited Edition Wand Selection

The moment Harry Potter stepped inside Mr. Ollivander's wand shop, the lives of readers were changed forever. Every aspiring Hogwarts student yearns to have a special wand that calls to them and helps them cast magic and charms perfected in the boarding school's classes.

From Ollivander's Store at Universal Orlando Resort to handmade artisans around the world, wands are a prized piece of memorabilia in a Harry Potter fan's collection.

Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium is offering a special selection of wands for Potterheads on Amazon.

A husband and wife duo who are massive Potter fans committed to creating a passion project of limited edition wands. They designed and commissioned a small run of 500 wands and boxes from artisan woodworkers.

Their selection of wands features five designs  - Summoner, Evoker, Enchanter, Charmer, and Conjurer- that have been carefully carved and finished from solid beechwood. There's 100 available of each wand which comes with their own serial number. Every display box is fabric lined, rosewood-stained beech with a gold-colored filigree on the top lid.

A press release from Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium:

Department of Magical Affairs Urges Vigilance following reports of suspicious magical activity.

Statement from Undersecretary T. Curious Praemonio on recent suspicious magical activity:

Today I am urging all witches and wizards to remain vigilant in light of the recent spate of hexes that have been perpetrated by the small but growing group of dark wizards calling themselves “Malum Draco.” The guilty parties remain at large and the Department of Magical Affairs urges caution.

All witches and wizards are advised to recast the defensive enchantments at their homes and workplaces, and to avoid the use of unfamiliar portals at night. Most importantly, all witches and wizards are strongly advised to ensure that they are in possession of a powerful and well-crafted wand.

Beech Tree wands have been found to be particularly effective in dispelling the effects of Malum Draco’s hexes. Therefore at the special request of the Department of Magical Affairs, Master Wandsmith Will O’Wisp has created a small consignment of wands for witches and wizards in need.

Let it also be known that each genuine piece from Will O’Wisp’s Wand Emporium includes a serial number, certificate of authenticity and gold-imprinted wooden display box.

The collection is presently available for sale in the United States on Amazon.com.

Interested parties are advised to secure their wand quickly.

Dark Wizards are afoot.

If you're looking to let the wand choose you and add a rare and unique handcrafted wand to magical acquisitions, check out Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium for their special limited edition wand release. These are sure to be a unique piece of memorabilia to your collection.

Please Note: This post is not sponsored or a paid partnership with Will O'Wisp's Wand Emporium. I do not receive commission if you click on any of the links in this post.

15 Hogwarts Essentials To Start Your Harry Potter Collection

There's nothing quite like being a Harry Potter fan. Once you read the books or see the movies, J.K. Rowling's world welcomes you with open arms and all you want to do is spend your time at Hogwarts and the wizarding world. If you're a new fan and starting your collection, or shopping around for a fellow Potterhead, here are some essentials every aspiring Hogwarts student should add to their wizarding trunks.

Before you get started on your collection or expanding what you have, please check out this disclaimer.

Please Note: As a member of CJ Affiliate program, this post contains affiliate links to HarryPotterShop.com. If a purchase is made by you from one of the featured links, I will receive a small commission. Any and all commissions made with this post helps support my work in bringing you the latest in Harry Potter news. Click here to read my full blog disclosure and privacy policy. Thank you for supporting my site!

Noble Collection Wand

When Harry is buying supplies for Hogwarts, one of the very first things he buys is his wand from Ollivander's Wand Shop. The Noble Collection has recreated the wands from the films with a wide variety of styles from Harry Potter to any one of your favorite characters.

New Harry Potter Wand Installation Added to St. Paul's Cathedral

Pottermore

In support of author J.K. Rowling's charity Lumos, Warner Bros. presented a new wand installation outside St. Paul's Cathedral in London. As part of an on-going project to London’s City Arts Initiative, which considers proposals on artistic and cultural merit to improve and enliven the City's streetscape.

The latest project titled Fantastic Beasts: Wizarding World Wands supporting Lumos includes nine wands standing upright. Each one is an impressive fifteen feet tall and line up alongside the street leading to St. Paul's Cathedral.

In what could be considered the biggest wand ceremony in wizarding history, the induction included a live performance from the Grenadier Guards performing music from the Harry Potter series such as Hedwig’s Theme to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Head prop maker Pierre Bohanna for both series, and Paul Harris - leading choreographer for the combat sequences in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - was also on hand for a little wand choreography lessons.

Fantastic Beasts: Wizarding World Wands supporting Lumos will be on display outside St Paul’s Cathedral from October 16th until November 13th. And every evening at 6.45pm, the wands will perform a short light display every 30 minutes. Check out the schedule of daily activities on Wednesdays opened to fans.

If you'd like to make a contribution, visit the official Lumos website here. Right now, fans can receive an exclusive Newt Scamander pin, with all proceeds going to J.K. Rowling's organization.

Check out more photos behind the cut!

Spellbinding Wand Installation Will Light Up London for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Photo Credit: Pottermore

The countdown has officially begun for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald to apparate into theaters on November 16th, 2018. In anticipation for the adventurous sequel starring Newt Scamander and his magical creatures crossing paths with Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald,  wands from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films will illuminate the walkaway between Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The installation is an effort to help raise awareness for J.K. Rowling’s charity Lumos, whose mission is to end the institutionalization of children around the world.

How big is the installation? When will the event take place? Let's look to the press release for more official details:

Standing fifteen feet tall, the wands – bringing to life those belonging to some of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films – are the centrepiece of the new installation, Fantastic Beasts: Wizarding World Wands supporting Lumos. It is set to light up Peter’s Hill every night at 6:45pm from 18th October to 12th November.

Created in association with Lumos as part of the City of London Arts Initiative for public art, the installation also kicks off a series of exciting activities for fans every “Wizarding Wednesday,” including wand training and a live performance of music from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films by a military marching band.

Josh Berger, President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Entertainment UK, Eire & Spain, and President, Harry Potter Global Franchise Development said: “We are thrilled to partner with Lumos on this landmark installation, which is sure to delight fans and the tens of thousands of commuters and tourists passing through Peter’s Hill each day.

“London has played a huge role in the on-screen legacy of the Wizarding World, from King’s Cross Station to Millennium Bridge, not to mention the nearby Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden – which has housed countless iconic sets across all ten films and nearly two decades – providing a major boost to the UK film industry.

As part of its efforts to raise awareness for Lumos, the installation is also apart of London’s City Arts Initiative, which considers proposals on artistic and cultural merit to improve and enliven the City's streetscape.

Throughout the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts' series, wands are a source of empowerment and hope for witches and wizards to cast their spells and charms. Earlier this year, the logo for the J.K. Rowling's wizarding world changed to incorporate wands and mark a new era in the phenomenon. As well, the actors of Fantastic Beasts celebrated a release of the teaser trailer with #WandsReady movement across social media. No doubt the extraordinary installation will be spellbinding for witches, wizards, and No-Majs to experience in person this October and November.

Further information will be available at https://www.fantasticbeasts.co.uk/wandsready. Check out this magical video below with Fantastic Beasts's stars Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne.