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#1 ·
Drawing, inspiration and making the box.

Mathildes Japanese inspired jewel box
Drawing, inspiration and making the box.

My inside out beautiful daughter Mathilde is now fourteen and in Denmark it's tradition you have your confirmation at this age if you want to become a member of the Christian church.
We are not particularly religious and honestly only goes to church at weddings or once in a while at Christmas, but she decided to follow the family tradition and become a member of the Christian church.
(Pay church taxes when she grow up - lol).
She as most other teens were wishing for a MacBook, jewelry and other wonderful pling stuff of our consumer world, so yes she got some green for that, but I found that I needed to make her something with my hands, something my head had designed and that I could put my love into.

So knowing she has a soft spot for delicate boxes, likes little secrets and was wishing for jewels, I thought it must be the right thing to make her a jewel box.

By the time you read this, the box is actually made and the confirmation over, but I will blog in order of photos taken and so we will get to the finished jewel box later.

Hope you get a nice tour, this is not a step by step how to, just a peek into me trying to put love into some wonderful wood, while thinking of my sweet Mathilde.


I have had my inspiration from many sides, Japanese joints with bamboo nails, Chinese travel beauty boxes with build in mirrors that stood when the box was open, Japanese boxes for tea, calligraphy and finally from my own build of a Japanese tool box, where I worked in the ways of Japanese cabinet makers.
(Here a few photos from the web showing some of the types that I have had in mind).


First things first, I usually work without a fixed plan, but this time I set out to make a set of drawings, this to know if I had enough wood and also to be able to play with the design a wee bit before making shaves.

The main wishes:
Less is more!
It should be a as simple as possible box when closed, like a crystal.
No visual hardware.
Finger joints and bamboo nails.
Maximum exposure of the wood.
When opening it should be like entering it, and it will review it's inner, step by step, like a ritual.
At least one secret room.
Golden ratio as rule of thumb for the proportions.


So I made drawings in full scale.


Here on one of the work shop walls.


The wood.
Some years back I found a old broken apart oak cabinet in the street.
Noticed some of the boards had a beautiful grain and so I brought it home with me, so it could one day find a project to become.
The boards had been dovetailed by hand and had the old rough planning marks from a hand plane on the back, so I am sure we are talking at least 100 years old and so I liked the thought to bring life back again.


Started by planning all the boards, they got a few passes in the thicknesser and my ohhh, do I love that tool!
It was quick and easy with the digital read out I have mounted.
Yes I used a power tool, I am still no hand tool fanatic, still work by the rule: 'if you can do it by hand, you are allowed to use a machine, if you like to do it by hand, enjoy while you do it'.


Rough cutting to sizes, while choosing the best boards for the most visual important places.


Bring out life with a scraper plane.
Here you can see this old board came from a drawer and the old joints.


Matching them up and giving them names.


Then I had to decide the finger joints layout.
I made a story stick for that.


Just marks with a pencil.
So it was easy to transfer to all sides.


Then I could start playing with some hand tools and bring some life into the piece.
Marking the fingers.


Sawing them, here with one of my Veritas saws, but actually that was not the thought, I was supposed to use mostly Japanese tools.
What it did, was to make me realize how bad I stood at my bench when cutting like this…


Here you see the story stick and how I transferred the marks.


So marking the finges with the cutting gauge and in this way avoid tear out when removing the wood.
(Not my fingers).


But since it night, I decide to glue up the wood first and come back tomorrow to work on the fingers.


So the wood are clamped up for the night.
Here in wonderful Japanese clamps.
Please enjoy the wood!


Next visit to the shop it is time to chop some wood.
Holding it with my beautiful antique French quick release hold fast, I love that tool!
Putting a scrap piece of wood under to save the bench.


First a single hard stoke with the chisel.


Then turn and work from other side.


Working my way in.


A good deep hit to finish up on the back side.


Then back to the front removing the last part.


And we got fingers, quick and easy!


Quite crisp, so I am happy.


Once we have them cut out, we can mark up the other side.
I use a sharp marking knife for this and send a thought to my friend Poisson.


With a small square transfer to the sides.


Like so.


Cutting gauge in use again.
Make sure to cut the right side, pencil mark the waste also.


Decided these boards will be for the lid.
They have a beautiful grain and goes from sap to heart wood and there by gives it some beautiful lines.
So they are glued up.


So back to fingers…
Marking for the saw cut, this little mark made with the chisel will make all the difference in your sawing.
A straight cut down and the a triangle to the waste side.
In this way you have defined where the saw will go.
Trust me, you will never do it differently once you have tried.


That's better MaFe san, now with a Japanese saw.
Still hopeless place to work, with that vice in front of you…


The long fingers I pre cut a little with a jewelers saw, this to avoid the wood from tearing.


Once again chop out the waste.
Also realizing I am standing too low with my work, so my back is making complaints.


Now all four sides have fingers and we can see the first signs of a box.
Think it's time for a beer.


Not too bad.
(Yes I have adjusted the table saw blade now, if you did notice the burn on the cuts… lol).


Lid cut roughly to size.


Ohhh yes, it starts to look like a box.
Time to put down the glasses and take a break.


To get as deep a bottom drawer as possible I use thin wood for the box bottom.
So I need to make a stopped rabbet on the box back.
This time to save some time I use the table saw.
Perhaps to brave, but I do it freehand without stops.


Ok no problem, the rest will be done by hand.


The sides I can just cut, since the front will be inside and the back hidden by the back board.


With a chisel I remove the waste.


Like so.
No rocket.


The bottom now cut to size and fits right in.


Here in the front inside the box.


Now time to work on the inside of the box.
There will be two levels and so we need a partition.
You will understand later… So just sit back and watch.


Trimming the pieces, since I now know the exact sizes inside the box.


Since I am too lazy to drill all the holes with a Japanese conical hand drill, I use a conical drill bit on a accu.
Then place bamboo nails to hold it in place for the dry fit.


Conical drill bit - that's a sexy beast!


Bamboo nail in place.


Marking for the other side.
Do not try to understand yet. ;-)


Again dry fit.
Now we have the inside.


Here in place inside the box.
You can see the two levels here.
Now you hopefully get it… Sorry to keep you waiting.
We are now half way in the first of three blogs.


Now I can drill from the outside to fasten the inside.
I have decided to make visible bamboo nails, since I think it will add a touch to the outside of the box.


While I was in town I was looking for a mirror for the lid.
Decided to go for a round to give it a little change in the straight lines.
Found a makeup mirror in right size and split it apart, so I could use the mirror.


Also I spend a little time to improve on my work positions, so I made a bench top bench .


This is a Japanese hand drill.
If you want to know more you can read about this in my Japanese toolbox blog .
The glasses are actually also Japanese, bought them of E-bay and had glasses fit in Denmark.


That's a much better place to stand and cut finger joints, happy I am!
Here for the inside tray.


Also a little square to keep them up right while sawing.


Like this.


Get it?


Again using a marking knife to get perfect cuts with no tear out.
Now sending a thought to my friend Bas .
Thank you for the mail also.


Time for some hand cut rabbets, we don't want to get rusty.
I love that 43.


The stopped I clean up with a chisel.


This made it possible to avoid tear out in the sides.


Starts to look like a jewel box!


The little tray are put in on the left side.


Bottom of tray.


Tray.


Now with a mirror and a monkey with a camera…
Made a little divider that will support the mirror so I need no hardware.


Now time to start working on the big drawer.


But first I had a visit in the shop by a friend Yves, French, he helped me fix my old Vespa, so now I am on wheels again. It's the little red lady in front of the shop.
150cc 1962 Vespa GL, had her for 28 years now and she is still running fine.


Back to the shop MaFe, the confirmation is soon up!


Marking up the fingers of the drawer.
I love my ruler stop .


Cutting.


Marking.
Yes it is on purpose I cut too wide, I want the look to be hand made.


Marking, think you know by now my way of doing that…


The little trick.


Now sawing in a wonderful position with my Japanese saw.
I have so much more control of the saw cut now.
It was a good investment of time to make that bench top bench.


Removing the waste.
Since I made the top of ply I don't care to cut into the top.
(Does someone notice a alien here)?


That's better a DIY hold fast.
(Read more in my bench top bench blog).


Now the other half of the finger joints can be marked.


Tattttaaaaaaaa


Shoulders.


Waste.


Trick.


Saw.


Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Notice I cut a little into the line…
This will need a small fix later.
Training makes master, still not there.


Drawer frame dry fit.


In the box and with the drawer front in place.


So time for the side drawer.


Dry fit.


Both drawers in the box.
Now it is really starting to come alive.


With lid down.


Time for drawer bottoms.


Ohhhh yes and made more holes in the bench top bench so I could use it with my Festool clamps also.


Box with no drawers.


I have a weak spot, where the side meets the front, only the two pieces of wood meeting holds it…
So I will make a hidden support.


Have to make a hole 45 degrees down the side here.
Now sending a good thought to my friend Jim dam you Jim, that awl is so sexy.


Set a square behind to make sure I was on 45 degrees.
Also when I drilled I used that as a reference.


So then I could put in a small piece of brass rod to give strength to that tricky corner.


Like this almost hidden.

So time to split up the blog, time for me to go to bed here.
I will continue soon on part two and three and post the project once the blog comes to a end.

Thank you for reading my ramblings, hope it can inspire.

I can tell you this much; we had a blast of a confirmation party.

best thoughts,
Mads
 
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#9 ·
Amazing project, way of working, and presentation. BRAVO !!!
I noticed three things …
1. Your home appears to be what we would consider a storefront in America. Is that correct? Love it !!! No grass to mow.
2. You have the ever-popular Corbu eyeglasses.
3. You draw and letter like a freakin' architect. Takes one to know one, :)
 
#15 ·
Great blog Mads. A lot of learning points for the uninitiated. I liked your ruler stop a lot too. I'm sure Mathilde loves the wonderfully designed finished box with all it's different features. I know she will treasure it for the rest of her life. How could she not? Please give her my congratulations. Our youngest grandson Vidar was confirmed a few weeks ago. The kids here are confirmed when they are 15 yrs. old.
 
#16 ·
Awesome blog.
The old saying "Every picture tells a story" could never be more true.
Have a good confirmation,
I have a feeling your gift will be received with the same love you have lavished on it's construction.
P.S. I have just bought the same Veritas dovetail saw but haven't used it yet.
 
#22 ·
Hi there LJ's,
siavosh, thank you - next part just posted.
grizz, big smile, I do feel I have done the best I could, then we can't do more. Thank you. ;-)
Roger, think it must be a record for me more than 300 pics on one project - smiles.
ksSlim, ;-)
Lew, I hope so and think so.
maplerock, smiles, love that word heirloom and would be proud if it ends like that.
Philip, next part are there by now. She did get it by now and I can tell she did not look sad.
johnhutchinson, THANKS, big smile! 1. It's not my home, just my shop and yes it is a storefront shop: http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/workshop . 2. Laughs, yes and found them on E-bay Japan after years of searching… 3. ;-)
Jim, thanks I think she was feeling lucky, yes see you later. ;-)
Topamax, to take the pictures has become natural by now, only seldom I have to go back and take a forgotten one. The blogs I also have my system and for the picture edit I for most use auto functions, so I will guess I have spend three to four hours on the blogs once done. I have to admit that I enjoy it, so it is a pleasure, especially when I read all the kind comments, thanks.
CL810, broad smile.
Ian, thanks it was such a wonderful day and I am still full of all the love shared.
Woodwrecker, if I take more photos it will become a video - lol. Thanks. The Vespa is my sweetheart.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive tire

stefang, I have send her your congratulations thanks, send mine also. I hope you are right and think you are. ;-)
jinkyjock, you will love that saw, I bought the 14 and 22 tpi versions and use them with joy. So happy my pictures can tell stories, this warms my heart.
Schwieb, Ken, Durch harte arbeit werden Träume wahr. ;-) It was a beautiful day and her smile was all I really needed.
freddy1962 , I can't remember actually where I bought it, but think it was from http://www.axminster.co.uk/hand-tools/measuring-marking/marking-squares-engineering but sure you can find them local. Thanks.
BritBoxmaker, yes I am having a blast!!! Really. Loved every moment of this build. Thanks for the compliment, coming from Mr. box, I take it with great joy.
Jim Sellers, just ran through your projects and see you do some amazing stuff, so wonderful if you could learn a thing or two, after all this is what LJ is all about. Thanks.
llwynog, thank you, second part are there now. ;-)

Thank you all, I had a big smile before since the confirmation, now it's even bigger thanks to you.
Best of my thoughts,
Mads
 

Attachments

#23 ·
Wood springs and nailing it...

Mathildes Japanese inspired jewel box
Wood springs and nailing it…

Part two:
In the making of a Jewel box for my precious daughter Mathildes confirmation.

So time to continue the tour, last time we ended with the main part of the box made and even drawers close to being a reality, so guess there are no reason not to just jump right in and get started.


So back to the drawers.
The rabbets cut and drawer front taped in place.
I don't care to make the rabbets stopped, since the underside, back and front of these drawers will not be visible.


In the front, the drawer front will hide it.


So the jewel box with the drawer bottoms and fronts taped in place.
Hmmmmmmm, not to bad!


Time for tobacco and playing with a pen on paper.
I want the drawers to stop before they fall out, when you open them, but also the possibility to get them out when wanted.
This will also make it possible to make a secret room in the box and that was one of my ideas.
So I am thinking of a spring, of course made of wood!
Think I got a functioning idea.


I cut a groove in the sides of the top drawer.


Clean it up with the funny little Veritas shoulder plane.
Thought it was a kind of toy when I bought it, but it have actually been handy often.


Now I just need some runners for the top drawer.
But not even Rome was build in one day…


So time to fire up my hate tool no 1.
I hate the noise of a router, so I use them as seldom as possible.
But to make this round recess by hand would eat too much time and the router can do a perfect cut on the round edge, so I walk with the cross and let my ears be punished.


Using my router circle jig and it works just fine, so it gives me a little smile.


A crisp edge and a flat surface, five minutes later.


Now with mirror!
Ohhh yes and I wear my wonderful Norwegian sweater…


So back to the wood springs.
I go for ash, since I know this is used for bows.
Draw the design idea.


Cut a few of them, different thickness, to test the flex.


Sawing.
Something…


In the back of the side drawer I make a extra compartment.
Hidden, secret or now I guess not so secret…
Sorry Mathilde!


Time to glue the tray, no more dry fit!


Bottom also.


Nailing it in place with conical bamboo nails.
The angle also locks the nails, so I feel sure this will never fall out.


I think this is a sweet detail.


Now I can fit it in the box, once the box are held firmly together.
I don't want a piston, I want it to fall easy down and come easy up, so I plane of as much as needed for that.


So back to the wood spring, I want o make a proto type.
Wood with cut out, spring and bamboo nail.


Glue.


Then nail with the conical nail, this should hold it in place.
Now eave to dry.


So we spoke of runners.
I Make the runners of ash, just for the detail and put glue on the one side, thick paper in the groove to push it out and then clamp in place and leave to dry. In this way I am sure they end up exactly where I want them.
No measures needed.


Here you see the inside of the box, with the two levels and the runner.


So to fix the runners I frill holes.


Using a stop block to e sure I don't go through the side.


Then bamboo nails.
Also shaping the front so the drawer comes in and out easy and looks elegant.


Get it?


Sawing of the rest of the nail.


Shaping.


Ok glue is dry on the spring.
Ready to test.


Now pushed up.


And click - it stops.


I love it!
All wood drawer stops.
This will be a sweet detail.


Time to fight a cow!
Or at least play with hide.


For the simple design I have decided to make drawer handles of plain leather.
So I cut some strips.


Mark the center and where I want it, using same measures as for the finger joints.
The idea is to cut a slit and nail them in place.


Drilling a hole in each end of the slit after marking the thickness with a cutting gauge.


Chisels, files and a gravure chisel comes in handy, this reminds me of knife making.


Here it's nice to have a selection of small files.


Then drilling and sticking in the bamboo nails.


Me like!


Yes.


No doubt.


Back to the wood springs again!
Now I will ad one for the big drawer.


Marking with a pencil.


Cutting away wood for the spring.


So now it's just to glue it in place, I have already tested that it works.


Elegant I thing, so I have a smile on my dusty lips.


Check.


Yes!


Since I wanted no hardware, I had some thoughts on how to hold the drawers in place…
Decided to add rare earth magnets in the back of the drawers and on the back behind, in this way the drawer will stay in place and it will be a little sexy when the magnets sucks the drawer in.
So time to drill a hole that have the diameter and deepness of the magnets.


Like this.


Here my little test piece, a kind of live story stick, where I test the ideas bfore putting them into the project.


The magnets.


Click.


Spring for the side drawer.


Cutting away some wood.


Using the new bench top bench with great joy.


Like this.


In place.
Now you know the rest of the story.


Glue in place the handles.


Gluing the drawers.
Pre fitting the bottoms to keep it square.


Shooting the end gran to make it fit in the drawer.
Dam I love that 62.


The big drawer bottom are glued in place.


After bamboo nails are cut of.


Rare earth magnets glued in.


Also for the big drawer.


And the drawers.


Here you see the secret compartment and that I made a small cut so the spring could pass the back, otherwise it would lock the drawer once the spring has passed the first click.
Glad I made some testing before glue up.


Here you see the spring.


Ohhhh yes and there are time to bake bread also.


Side drawer glued.


Shooting the double back to get a perfect fit.


Now in place.


Superglue the small the brass pin in place, we are now ready to start the gluing of the box.


Zoom…


So now time for the box glue up.
I put double bamboo nails in the fingers, this for strength and beauty.


Also fix the little mistakes now.


Out of focus glue up.


Drawers also get nails.


Like this it will never fall apart.


Here you see the front hiding the groove.


Same on the big drawer and here the front are wider than the drawer.


I think it's elegant.


More glue op, now other end.


Clamps, clamps and clamps!
Remember to check the diagonal.


Marking for bamboo nails.
Sending Jim a thought.


Gluing the bottom.


Plenty of glue and then just add the bottom.


Finger joints.
Drilling.


Nailing.


All of them.


Sawing.


Cutting flush.


Now cut.


That's it.

I think we have nailed it, so time to split up the blog again, see you soon, on third and last part.
Then I'll post the project also. ;-)

Thank you for reading my ramblings, hope it can inspire.

best thoughts,
Mads
 
#39 ·
The grand finale and a blast of a confirmation.

Mathildes Japanese inspired jewel box
The grand finale and a blast of a confirmation.

Part three:
In the process of making of a Jewel box for my sweet daughter Mathildes confirmation.

Time to continue the Jewel box tour, last time we ended with lots of bamboo nails, glue and a Jewel box in clamps, so I guess there are no way back.
As some og the comments suggested, this blog is a World record in number of Pictures and if I had put just one more Picture in it, I guess we could have called it a video… This was because it is for my sweet daughter, so I thought it would be fine for her to one day be able to see what goes into the making of a simple looking box and how much Heart I tried to put in it too.


This is a stand alone project, yet it needs feet…
Time to make the 'feet' for the box, since it needs some distance from the surface to be able to open the bottom drawer.
I also think it adds some elegance that the box will not stand directly on the table.
Decide for two long since think that's the most simple and will add some support for the thin bottom.
Here I plane them to thickness after cutting two strips of oak.


Sending a warm thought to my friend Jamie In Scotland, can't wait to come visit you again this summer.
The plane has become a favorite and even my Japanese planes are jealous.


Shaping a Little, I like to do that by hand with a chisel, it adds life and love.


Now marking and pre drilling holes.


I put some nails in loose as I go, just to hold it in place while drilling.


The adding…...........................yes you guessed it; bamboo nails. ;-)
From each side, this will help locking it.
Guess I should also have drilled upper side directions, but we cant win them all.


Like so.


Now glue and a nail to get the right position.


Here we are.


More bamboo nails with glue.


Hammer in.


Saw of.


Cut flush.
Guess you heard that one by now.
The truth is, this is a really strong assembly, are dead easy and giving the little sexy round detail.
I love it!


Time to glue the interior to the box.
I just put glues in the ends, with the bamboo nails from the sides no more should be needed.


Here we are.
You can see the three little dots on the front, I think that adds a charm and tells a story of ehat goes on inside the box and yet keeps the lines clean as I want.


Time to fit the drawers.
Made then a millimeter too big, so I had a little room for fitting.


I clamp a board to the back to avoid tear out on the end grain.
Again I go for a loose fit, no pistons here, that will be taken care of by the magnets.


Finish with the 62, to get that baby ass smoothness.
The combination of those two planes are like touching heaven.


That's smooth in my world.


Fitting the lid, I want it flush to the sides of the box and also this I made a little to big so I had room for adjustment.


Now a little story board to define the rabbet, I want the lid half way in the box in this way it is locked in place.


The rabbet are cut on the table saw, this is quick and easy.


A stop to define how deep I can go.


And one for direction.


Then tuning them with my sweet little planes.
And sending a thought to our long missed friend Div.


Sweet yes.


To hold the lid in place, I have also added a rare earth magnet to the room divider and will now add one to the lid, in this way the lid will click down and also not fall of under transport.
(And yes I think it's a naughty detail).
So I mark up the center.
Ain't that the coolest awl?


Lid in place.


Edge.


Just a quick view on the shelf behind.
How can you not smile looking at that.


So drilling a hole for that magnet in the lid.


On the good old drill press.


After carefully measures.


To secure the deepness are right.


You need a little extra for the glue under.


May I present; magnet, hole - hole, magnet…


I put a piece of tape on top of the magnet in the divider and then the magnet on top.
In this way I am sure to get it in the right direction, so the magnet will not push the lid open.
I also sand it a little on the top and clean it with acetone.


Then epoxy in the hole.


I do the same with the mirror, but actually I should have used a flexible glue for that, so the mirror would not crack if the wood moves a little, but since it is a interior furniture, it should not become a problem.
At least I am sure it will not fall out now.


Some more fitting of the drawers.


Flattening the bottom, so it will glide easy.


Here the bench top bench again proves it worth.


Sliding wonderful, I have a big smile on my face at this moment.


Now it's really close to being what I set out for.


The little tray in the box needs something to rest on, so I cut some thin oak strips.


Thinking that it will be elegant like this.


Time to go outside, here the shop front and my little Vespa, now with new seat covers.
See you in a picture, I will go for a cold beer and get a little wind in my hair on the Vespa.


Back in the shop.
There are times for drinking and time for making shaves.
Cheers.


I always smile when I see this wall, I feel lucky and blessed.


Again I want to make a test before the choice.
So a scrap piece of oak giving it three different treatments.
Oil with white pigment, bees wax and Renascence wax.


The white oil blurs the wood.
The bees wax colors it darker and black.
The renascence wax brings out the wood and are almost matt.
Since I want simplicity and honesty, I decide the renaissance wax will give most to this project.


Back to the tray holders.
I tape them to a piece of wood in the right height.


Then clamp them and leave to dry.


The little tray needs a way to be pulled up.
I have not taken any choice, so I try to play.
First turning a kind of knob on the lathe.
Naaaaa.


Naaaaaaaaaaa.


Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.


Just a devider…
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.


Less is more!
This one I like.


But I have a idea for the first knob I turned.


Seen that before?


Tataaaaaaaaa.
I will show later for what.


Now just time to look at some beautiful tools, sometimes my eyes stop like this in the shop and soaks in the image, it brings warmth to my heart.


Now off the helpers go as the glue is dry.


Jim helps me marking for…..


To get a drill inside here are a challenge, but one that can be solved.
The tape are to stop in time.


You probably guessed it; bamboo nails.


One of my little saw made from jigsaw blades come in handy here.


After many thought, it has become time to glue on the drawer fronts.
Load of glue.


All over.


Then clamps and waiting for it to dry.


Also the side drawer.


And the little tray gets it's handle.


Test time!


It fits.


This one also!
Almost too god to be true.


Since I want no screws, I drill from the inside and drill sideways.


Then nailing.


Flush and finished.


I think that's sweet.


Same for the other drawer.


Now time to fix little mistakes, I make a puddy of glue and oak saw dust.


To fix little holes and marks in the wood.


I almost ran out of bamboo nails and ordered some more, but this time they gave me beech nails… that's not as sexy, so luck I have enough.


Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Perhaps in a pine project they will be sexy.


Wax on, wax off.


We got a jewel box!
Yes I am done!!
Jubiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
And in time before Mathildes confirmation party, actually two days before.


Time to show off!
Ok not my arm… It's not that sexy.


Here the box as it stands closed up.
Simple and cubic as I wanted it.
The gain on the front are like a waterfall and the grain on top as a sunrise.
The little leather handle tells us that there are more to this box.
I am to be honest more than happy.


Lid open mirror are now to be used.
Notice the little knob from earlier, it hangs on the side of the magnet.


Now the tray are up and the knob placed on the lid, in this way she have a place to hang a bracelet.


Side drawer.


Front drawer.


Secret room where I put here a cross and a handful of green.


Feet under.


Back.


Right side.


Left side.


Details, tray.


Details, lid.


Details, interior.


Details, wood spring.


Details, wood spring.


Secret room.


Detail, handle.


Mathildes jewel box.


This is Mathilde on her big day (in white) when her mother and I made our speech to her, do I need to say more.
She was so happy for the jewel box and especially the little details caught her eye, she said thank you from the heart and I felt her joy.
It was a blast of a party, wonderful foo, wine, cocktails and dancing until late in the night.


And her father proud of his daughter touched right to the core of my heart.
And also proud of what he have made her, in a wonderful way I feel I had to use all I have learned to make this, like a apprentices exam piece.
If I passed the exam…. Looking at her smile and how she have it now in her room, full of jewels and set up beautifully - yes I did!

Hope you enjoyed the long ride, for me it has been a travel in my heart, a build where my sweet daughter was in my thoughts as I went along and in every bamboo nail I put in it.

Thanks for watching and all the wonderful comments I read by now.

best thoughts,
Mads
 
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