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This started out as an art supply storage box but for a special friend but got out of control trying to make it a bit nicer so it will be a keepsake box instead. The body is walnut, lid panel is figured walnut, maple and figured maple trim and tray, mother of pearl wings, abalone body and a couple of small cubic zirconia on the antenna. The liner is a thin foam pad so the color choices were limited but it should be durable. This is the first project I've named and as soon as I wrote the name in permanent marker on the bottom I wanted to change it, oh well. It's for a very old friends 25 year old daughter, at 18 she became quadriplegic but has since started to get some use of her arms and hands and is learning to paint so I thought I'd do something to encourage her to keep at it. Actually it's a trade, something I made for one of her paintings.

Myles

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Comments

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211 Posts
What an excellently crafted and beautiful box! The woods are very complimentary to one another. I'm sure the recipient will be extremely pleased with your creation.
 

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2,217 Posts
That is a really nice box design and build. Is it all solid stock? How do you cut the mother of pearl?
 

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turned out beautiful, I would certainly be happy to receive it. I really like your choice of woods.
 

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That is a beautiful box-I'm sure she'll love it!
 

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this is one beautiful box!
 

· In Loving Memory
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You did a great job with some spectacular wood! The butterfly is just perfect. She will treasure this forever.
 

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Verrrry Nice!
 

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You should let your projects go out of control more often - this is beautiful!
 

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Gorgeous wood, beautiful inlay and superb craftsmanship. Anyone would be pleased with such a gift or trade!
 

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709 Posts
Very nice work, great looking box.
 

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Very good box.The inlay,contrast and shadows looks great.
 

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Thank you everyone for the praise.
The box is solid wood, the inlay I cut with a coping saw, then filed and sanded the edges, that part scared me to death because you have to route out the top and inset it in so I was terrified of messing that up since the box was essentially done and held off forever. But I took a weekend class with William Ng on inlay and built up my confidence enough to take the plunge. Anyone considering taking a class with him don't hesitate, great guy easy going and you'll learn a ton, I took his Maloof rocker class last year, not finished yet but it will look great.

Shipped it yesterday what a relief, but after seeing someone else's project on here get crushed I had them double box it, cost more but I consider it insurance.

Thanks again
Myles
 

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44 Posts
A great story and an exceptional box.
Well done
 

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If it's your box, why not change the name of the subsequent ones! Or are you making one-of-a-kind pieces? It would be lovely if you could mass produce these, I bet they'd be moving off the shelves so quickly… You'd make a killing!
 

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101 Posts
If it s your box, why not change the name of the subsequent ones! Or are you making one-of-a-kind pieces? It would be lovely if you could mass produce these, I bet they d be moving off the shelves so quickly… You d make a killing!

- Marcio Wilges
Thanks for the kind words Marcio but I do this for my own satisfaction not for money but who knows I plan on retiring in a few years. I told my wife a few days ago that when I make a gift for someone that I should make two just so that we could have one as well, she disagreed and said that each one is made especially for someone and they should be a "one of a kind". After I wrote Wings of Light in permanent marker near the top edge on the bottom I wanted to make it "Taking Flight on Wings of Light" it's more representative of her journey since her injury.
 

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Very COOL box with that Butterfly inlay!
... glad you got the courage to finally Do It! :)
... Looks GREAT!

I guess you used a small Trim router to route out the box?
... bit size and type?
 
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