"Art Box" Tutorial #2: What wood?

Let the fun begin!

I know everyone is hoping I will just shut up and just get down to the cutting and sanding :)

BUT…..This is very important to those of you who are trying to imitate my process from beginning to end.
Many of you have admitted that you have never built a box before and would like to know how to select a winning combination.
So,the first bit of business is to select the wood you will be using.This decision will be based on
A) what you find appealing.This is totally subjective.
B) how you want to do the top.
C) what material you either have on hand or have access to.

Lets take a look at point (A)
A light wood such as Maple for the sides and top and a figured piece of Myrtle for the medallion is stunning.But then, a darker body like Wenge works well with a Maple medallion.The “Art” concept came about when I was looking for a way to use small pieces of some figured Myrtlewood.I did not come up with the idea of a medallion in the center of the lid,I just saw it somewhere and figured out how to do it through trial and error.The contrast with the body/lid is important,and so are its proportions.
If this is your first: You can get a condensed view of what other Jockeys like by going to “Projects” and click on the “box” tag on the left column,and then click the “most favorited”.Look closely at the combinations and find one YOU like.Its important to be able to see ahead and visualize the finished box.After having built many boxes,I personally like taking a risk,trying something new,just to keep my interest up.
The body/top can be a pretty plain piece flat sawn Maple.This will come alive when you shape it and will showcase a stunning piece of figured Walnut,or straight grain Bloodwood.A very subtle,but artsy look is to use clear flat sawn Maple and insert figured Maple for the medallion.
To play it safe,aim for simple.

Point (B)
The body and top need to be out of the same board if at all possible so the color and grain match closely.
If you are using a figured wood and want the grain to appear to run contiguous from the face and up over the top,then you will need a wide board,about 11’’.(Thats how I did the Bad Moon secret box)
But this isnt necessary for most of the boxes I build,and especially when using straight grained lumber,or when a lot of shaping is done.The shaping grinds away the top matching grain anyway.

Point©
The material you have on hand is probably just fine for the body/top.Just make sure it is dead flat and straight.
Then find a piece that you want to show off for the center of the lid,that is the focal point of these boxes.
If you want or need to buy the wood then take your medallion piece with you if you already have it and check it against the lumber to see if they work well together.A very busy wood for the body doesnt always work well with a busy medallion.The eye needs to have one focal point and then it will start looking around at the other features.

Materials:
Body/Top with contiguous grain -You will need a board about 3/4×11 x 40.
OR
Body- 3/4 x about 4×40
Top- 3/4 x about 7×11
Medallion- 3/4×5 x 8
Corner splines- I like to rip these out of a board about 3’’ plus wide and about 24’’ plus long.Sometimes I will get these from the same board as the medallion.
Handle-This will often come from the same board as the medallion
Dividers- Matches body or medallion or what you like.

So gather your wood and when I come back we will start cutting.
Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading.
Andy

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon