| Project by Don | posted 2205 days ago | 1311 views | 1 time favorited | 14 comments |  |
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In 2003, I gave this small box to my Granddaughter, Maddison. She lives half way around the world from me, so during my current visit, I was pleased to see this box that I had made about four years ago. I had wondered how it would stand up to the use a little girl would put it to; and wondered what that use would be.
When I first showed this box, I referred to it as a jewelry box. Now, ones definition of ‘jewelry’ is no doubt dependent on ones age. Maddie is eight years old. She has put her treasures in this box, so in that sense, they’re here jewels.
But, this experience has reinforced my feeling that it’s wrong for me to name a box with a function, ie. Jewelry Box. Rather, I now simply call my boxes “wooden boxes” – probably not too original, but practical none-the-less.
Finally, the other thing that I was pleased to see, when viewing this box after four years, is that the color has mellowed. The reddish tint has darkened and now is probably best described as reddish-brown. The Blackbutt veneer panel has remained pretty much as it was when made.
It was nice to see my old friend (the box) – it had aged gracefully. But it was even nicer to visit with my granddaughter who is morphing into a real beauty.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/
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14 comments so far
Chip
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1904 posts in 2258 days
#1 posted 2205 days ago
This is just terrific Don. To get to see a piece that has been used and has aged is wonderful. Hopefully more jocks will do something like this now. Thanks so much for posting this. My Jewelry box for Eowyn (who is 9) has a wide assortment of “prescious” things in it also so I think I will follow your advice on the naming thing.
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt!
dennis mitchell
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#2 posted 2205 days ago
A real treasure chest! Great work Don.
David
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#3 posted 2205 days ago
Don -
What a great story. Very nice to see how a piece is aging and being used. I have a little girl and it has been fun to see how her treasures change over time! I always enjoy your wooden boxes. Thanks!
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
Bill Cowan
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#4 posted 2205 days ago
Don,
Great to here of a box that’s been used, loved, cherished and filled with treasures that boxes are intended for. Very inspiring and encouraging story for us boxmakers!
-- ICN, Bill, (http://www.coachbillcowan.com)
Phil Brown
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#5 posted 2205 days ago
Its a good feeling to see ones work down the road, appreciated and aging beautifully. Nice work Don.
-- Phil Brown, Ontario
jockmike2
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#6 posted 2205 days ago
Well it’s about time buddy to see something new/old. Nice box. So well done its lasted nicely. mike
-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -
oscorner
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4565 posts in 2476 days
#7 posted 2204 days ago
We’ll be seeing it (well, maybe not us) on Antique Roadhouse one day. Nothing last like a well built project. Looks like your granddaughter has taken good care of it, too.
-- Jesus is Lord!
Don
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2592 posts in 2342 days
#8 posted 2204 days ago
Yes, Mark, although she uses it regularly, it is standing up well. I think that I might clean it up a little and give it a coat of wax. But other than that, I do want it to develop a natural patina.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/
MsDebbieP
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18320 posts in 2326 days
#9 posted 2204 days ago
how wonderful!!!
it’s definitely a treasure box because the creator is definitely a treasure :)
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Dick, & Barb Cain
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#10 posted 2204 days ago
Beautiful box as usual.
I’m glad you had a nice visit with Maddie.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
fred
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#11 posted 2203 days ago
Great job, Don. I just returned home from visiting my grandaughter on her first birthday. The 800 mile roundtrip was well worth it.
I like the splines at the corners. You have inspired me. I will now be making a box for my grandaughter, too.
-- Fred Childs, Pasadena, CA - - - Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Karson
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#12 posted 2202 days ago
Great Old Box Don. An Antique in the making.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
USCJeff
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#13 posted 1861 days ago
Missed this first time around, well done. I took a shot at one of your trays not long ago. This is a little more ambitious, but I love the look. Again, well done.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
Scott Bryan
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#14 posted 1860 days ago
Hi Don,
I am catching up on past posts and I am glad that this one came up. This is a beautiful box. the wood figure and miter keys give it distinctive details but, more importantly, Maddison has a “treasure” of her own that you created. She is really too young to fully appreciate its real value. That will come later when she is able to let her daughter store treasures in it.
This is a wonderful project and an even better story behind it.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
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