Last fall my six year old and I went to Woodcraft in PA and while I was there I purchased a piece of purpleheart lumber. Eric wanted a jewelry box so I got around to building it for him Labor Day weekend. There’s one boo-boo but I didn’t mention it to him (he’s now seven but may find it himself – no big deal; the hinge mortises on the box itself are too wide – oops). This was the first “fine” box I built and I found it pays to read a lot, watch podcasts, buy Doug Stowe’s books and DVD, be a member of LJ’s and PRACTICE. The finish is Danish oil (two coats).

NOTE TO NEW PURPLEHEART USERS:
After planing the wood it wasn’t so purple anymore (it was brownish-purple). I didn’t know that would happen!!! After much surfing the Internet Sunday night for guidance, it seemed that the box needed some sunlight. The box and lid spent the day in the sun on Monday and sure enough, the purple returned. Yeah! If you think the wood will be in the sun after you finish it, consider a UV sealer. From what I’ve read, the UV’s will darken the wood over time.

Enjoy!