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Deco Box

Project by Andy posted 153 days ago 1622 views 35 times favorited 37 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This is a new version of my Art boxes.I wanted to try a design that was a little more formal and then do some free form sculpting,a bit of a contradiction.
So I started off with a standard miter cornered box,but instead of a slab wood top and a medallion,I opted for a frame and panel top with a medallion.I also cut the arch front which gives the effect of feet.Both of these features lend a furniture feel to this piece.

The handle is Maple with a slot mortise routed in the back,which matches mates up with one in the edge of the lid and then I slipped in a Bloodwood spline.Then I sanded away the edges of the Maple,revealing the Bloodwood spline, like an inlay,which it is I guess,but in reverse.
It was difficult exposing the same amount of the Bloodwood on each side of the handle,but I like the effect.I doubt I will do it again but its fun to try new ideas.

Note:The corner splines start out all the same depth/length,but when the sides are cut at an angle they end up tapered.

I did a little different divider arrangement which I think goes well with the overall feel of this design.
The lid stay is just a piece of ribbon,held in place with brass screws and grommets.
(The brass hinges appear to be antiqued,or dirty.but its just the way the polarizing filter plays with the reflection in the photos.

The box is Wenge.
The medallion,handle and splines are Eastern Maple,and Bloodwood accents.
Finish is several coats of satin lacquer.

Photo Notes:

The photos were taken outside on a sheet spread out on the lawn,and the sky was bright,but overcast.
I used a tripod and no flash or additional lighting.
I did use a polarizing filter which I strongly recommend.It allows you to dial in the reflection,depending on your angle to the sun.
I took 3-4 shots from each angle turning the polarizer and then selected the ones that accentuated the shaping the best.
I typically use an aperature of F/8 to ensure the entire box is in focus.
I adjust contrast,color saturtaion and sharpness in Photoshop.

Thanks for looking.

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


37 comments so far

View Matt's profile

Matt

178 posts in 251 days


posted 153 days ago

Gorgeous. Great work!

-- Matt - My Websites - http://www.bestinwood.com - Hand Tools :: http://www.workshopgarage.com - Small Shops

View mtnwild's profile

mtnwild

1979 posts in 406 days


posted 153 days ago

Man, that is fantastic! Great design, beautiful wood, super details. One of the best boxes ever. Thanks…...........

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

View BTKS's profile

BTKS

445 posts in 343 days


posted 153 days ago

Impressive.

View flcopper169's profile

flcopper169

172 posts in 218 days


posted 153 days ago

Another great job, Andy… I do love the wood…

Rob

-- Happy and safe woodworking, Flcopper169@aol.com

View Kindlingmaker's profile

Kindlingmaker

1417 posts in 405 days


posted 153 days ago

A beautiful box with style and grace! Outstanding craftsmanship!

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

View Allens's profile

Allens

11 posts in 482 days


posted 153 days ago

A very beautiful box you have made Andy. Yes it does have a nice formal look to it.

-- Paul & Kathy Allen

View Kent Shepherd's profile

Kent Shepherd

717 posts in 165 days


posted 153 days ago

Looks like your planer needs some work——Just kidding. I love the sculpted look. I’ve played with it , and now you have given me some great ideas.

Also, thanks for the photo tips. I’ve been having trouble with that.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

View majeagle1's profile (online now)

majeagle1

417 posts in 375 days


posted 153 days ago

Wow, wow, wow what else can one say!!!
Just beautiful…..... I love the wood combination and contrast, really neat idea with the front lid lift and the spline.
How is the lid done? meaning, is it a floating lid or is the reveal routed in? also, the maple inlay, is it in fact an inlay? or is that floating also?

Again, just a wonderful job, you have taken box design to an all new level and are truely an inspiration, thanks for posting and looking forward to your tutorial.

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

View kolwdwrkr's profile

kolwdwrkr

2218 posts in 469 days


posted 153 days ago

That’s a beautiful box. I never thought of using ribbon for the lid support, may have to steal that idea. Very well done.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

View whitedog's profile

whitedog

156 posts in 336 days


posted 153 days ago

the dividers are like a signature to your piece… along with all of the other elements on this box , it all says great box.

-- Paul , Calfornia

View SteveKorz's profile

SteveKorz

2030 posts in 592 days


posted 153 days ago

WOW! Andy, that is stunning! Remarkable work as usual!

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

View AllorNoThumbs's profile

AllorNoThumbs

54 posts in 160 days


posted 153 days ago

I love the boxes and that is SWEET! Nice work….can I have one?

-- Uhhh...I forgot what i was going to say.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7466 posts in 1097 days


posted 153 days ago

I’ve missed your work, Andy. You’ve taken your already-gorgeous boxes to a new level!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View Andy's profile

Andy

562 posts in 787 days


posted 153 days ago

Thanks everyone for taking time to post such nice comments!
@majeagle1- The lid is a raised panel, with a recess routed 3/8’’ deep to receive the Maple medallion.I carefull cut the medallion to exact size and shape the corners by hand,test fitting constantly.It is then glued into place.I hope I explained that well.
@kolwdwrkr-I am glad you like it.I didnt have any 95 deg stay butt hinges or brass lid stays(which I dont really care for anyway) and I didnt think it a good idea to borrow one of my wifes chains,so I got to thinking and came up with this.

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

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5970 posts in 944 days


posted 153 days ago

Great craftsmanship.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

View musician's profile

musician

37 posts in 234 days


posted 153 days ago

Stunning! One of the best I’ve ever seen, beautifully executed.

-- Joe,Texas,www.woodworkerJoe.com

View FrankLad's profile

FrankLad

185 posts in 188 days


posted 153 days ago

Man, this is fantastic! All-around wonderful job!

-- Frank, Mississippi, http://www.stoutwoodworks.com

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

6991 posts in 1178 days


posted 153 days ago

Very nice, as usual, & superb craftsmanship.

-- -** 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

View Dennis Zongker's profile

Dennis Zongker

1005 posts in 471 days


posted 153 days ago

WOW!!! Excellent Job, Andy! I love your design.

-- Dennis Zongker

View Les Hastings's profile

Les Hastings

948 posts in 652 days


posted 153 days ago

Awesome design and craftsmanship!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

View Woodhacker's profile

Woodhacker

1145 posts in 602 days


posted 153 days ago

Andy, this is another stunning box! Absolutely beautiful.

It’s great to see you posting boxes again.

Thanks for posting it.

-- Martin, Kansas

View fooj's profile

fooj

8 posts in 188 days


posted 153 days ago

I have to agree with everyone else. That is a fantastic piece of work!

View majeagle1's profile (online now)

majeagle1

417 posts in 375 days


posted 152 days ago

Andy, this may sound silly but is there any concern regarding wood movement of the maple inlay?

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

View davidtheboxmaker's profile

davidtheboxmaker

372 posts in 684 days


posted 152 days ago

That’s a really nice box.

View jhawkinnc's profile

jhawkinnc

36 posts in 179 days


posted 152 days ago

Wow….that’s really impressive. Nice job!

View Andy's profile

Andy

562 posts in 787 days


posted 152 days ago

Paul and Kathy- I missed your comment earlier,thanks a lot!
Dennis-Thanks Dennis,thats high praise from a guy with your talents.
@majeagle-Thats not a silly question at all.But,wood movement isnt a problem in this design because the center lid panel is one piece,not a frame and panel like the frame it sets in.And the Maple inlay is set into the Wenge with the grain running the same direction,so expansion and contraction are very similar. I know that all woods expand and contract differently from specie to specie and even within a specie depending on what part of the tree it came from.I personally have never had a problem with this technique…so far anyway.But we are talking about wood,which is never static,so I make no guarantees :-) Also,I have learned to avoid flat sawn wood for the lid,since routing out the recess aggravates its tendancy to cup.I have been successful using flatsawn,because glueing in the medallion
reinforces it against cupping,but its still risky.
I hope this helped.

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

View majeagle1's profile (online now)

majeagle1

417 posts in 375 days


posted 152 days ago

Thanks so much for the tips Andy, much appreciated…..........
You are truely an inspiration, keep it up !

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6065 posts in 652 days


posted 152 days ago

Beautiful box and great work! Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View miles125's profile

miles125

1414 posts in 884 days


posted 151 days ago

I knew who made this box as soon as i saw it. Really beautiful box Andy!

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

View Andy's profile

Andy

562 posts in 787 days


posted 151 days ago

@ majeagle-Thats high praise for a guy who makes boxes as nice as you do!Thanks again.
@miles- Thank you,but maybe it time to change my style. :-)

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

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

779 posts in 780 days


posted 148 days ago

Andy, your work goes from strength to strength. Without the eye of an artist, that sculpting could easily have destroyed what is already a really fine box. You’ve enhanced it and made it finger-runningly inviting.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

View Andy's profile

Andy

562 posts in 787 days


posted 148 days ago

Thanks deeply for that kind comment Stewart.I really have to be in a zone to make it all work,and sometimes everything just clicks.I have learned to back off when I feel pressure.Its supposed to be fun…right :)

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

View Shrub's profile

Shrub

33 posts in 150 days


posted 146 days ago

Beautiful

-- Shrub G. , Dalton Georgia

View Jiri Parkman's profile

Jiri Parkman

602 posts in 691 days


posted 121 days ago

Congratulations. Beautiful box.

-- Jiri

View mcoyfrog's profile

mcoyfrog

735 posts in 473 days


posted 74 days ago

Another great box, very cool

-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day - Dug

View david9951's profile

david9951

9 posts in 40 days


posted 40 days ago

unbelievable

View bigike's profile

bigike

103 posts in 167 days


posted 35 days ago

how did u do it?

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop,www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

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