Comissioned Jewelry Box

Amazing and beautiful work as usual!

Sure Don the velvet-like fabric on the bottom of the right tray. Did you by any chance though we weren’t paying atention? ;o)

Very, very nice job. She’s a lucky gal.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://www.japanese-woodworking-tools.com/

Incredible! I’m sure your client will be thrilled to finally get to see, and touch it.

-- Wayne - Newbie looking to learn!

Don
Yet another classy box – congratulations!
Keep up the fine work,
Phil

Yes… “you did good” :)

An amazingly beautiful small, wooden box!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Outstanding Don.

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

I have to say, you are the master in making boxes! Very nice selection of woods and use in the right areas to get such great contrast. This is an Award Winner Don. Keep up the great work!

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

Don

Getting ready for the AWR competition with this box?

t.w.

-- Bandsaw Box Plans

I used to think a box is a box and really never paid attention to them. Just goes to how you how ignorant I was. Don, your work is amazing. Thanks for opening my eyes to somethng new.

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

Great work Don – colour contrast is fantastic.

The oak you refer to as QLD lacy oak, is that sheoak? I can’t quite tell from pics.

-- GazAly Design. Maker of fine...wood...stuff!

Don,
Exceptional work. I’ve watched it grow with great expectations. I must say that I am not disapointed. It is breathtaking. I think you made different top trays?

Tom

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Hello Don
Incredible project ! Beautiful work and design. Your craftsmanship is unparalleled.
Regards
DAN

-- ..... art for lifes sake

Don,

Congratulations on a great jewelry box. God has really given you some talent in woodworking. Thanks for sharing with us how you build these!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Great Work Don, Cuaght a few of the blogs in your series. Now I will go back and read it from start to end.

Thanks for sharing your project and your blog series. Fascinating projects like this help others get thier creative juices flowing. Realizing we can make our projects better by what we learn from LJ’s like yourself.

-- Joel Tille

Don;

When people build something, anything at all, it is apparent how much of themselves they put into it.

When I look at this box, I see a brain, as the design is spectacular, I see a beating heart, as it is certain your heart is a major factor in your work, and I see a pair of golden hands, as without these the rest would be left dissapointed. I can also see you have donated piece of your soul, as this piece is alive with it’s own personaity, grace and function. And finally I see comfort, as this box it at peace with itself, as no single part of it is left unattended, or neglected. It has harmony.

And finally, it is being released into the world by a maker who is at peace with it.

This is what we lj’s are all trying to achieve in our work, and you have pulled it off, masterfully.

Thank you for allowing us to share in your abilities.

As I said before, you are a MASTER!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee!!! You are a poet and a philosopher! I did not know

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Wow….uh…what Lee said!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

You are my box-making idol and inspiration, Don!

I just wish I had access to your woodpile.

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

I’m speechless.

LOL…what Tom said!

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Man oh man oh man. That’s one pretty piece of work! Makes me feel like I don’t know squat about boxmaking.

Gary

Awesom box. I really line the splines in the corners. I may just have to try some of those one day. The colors are so vivid too.

Beautiful job once again Don . Thats a lot of detail in one magical looking box.

-- John in Cranbrook http://www.extremebirdhouse.com ....http://community.webshots.com/user/cranbrook2

Holy smokes! What a beauty!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I’ll try to answer a few questions that came up in your comments.

Quote Jojo: To my question, “Can you spot the change?” he answered, ”Sure Don the velvet-like fabric on the bottom of the right tray.”

Yes, Jojo, that is one change, but I always intended to do that.

Quote Thos.Angle: ”I think you made different top trays?” You are close.

The change I had in mind is that when calculating the dimensions of the components of the dividers and trays to make sure I had clearance under the lid, I forgot to calculate the thickness of the fabric liner and backing board. This meant that the lid wouldn’t close. I had originally planned for arched handles as you see in the picture below.

Unfortunately, I had to remove the arch in the handles so the lid would fully close.

Quote TonyWard: ”Getting ready for the AWR competition with this box?” I’ll give that some thought, Tony.

Quote GazAlyDesign: ”The oak you refer to as QLD lacy oak, is that sheoak?”

Gaz, I wish I knew more about various timber species and how to identify them. I purchased this wood from Carba-tec who carry a small selection of wood in their Melbourne store. They identified it as Lacy Oak. But my more knowledgeable woodworking mates have identified it as Silky Oak. According to the Victorian Woodworkers Association web site, it states this about Silky Oak:

”All members of the family to which silky oak belongs have timber of the same general type; a layman would have difficulty distinguishing between them. Rainforests largely exhausted; much of timber sold as Silky Oak now comes from north Queensland species Cardwellia sublimis. Small quantities available from urban sawmillers & craftshops.”

So, all I can say is – I DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT IT IS.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Looks like a twelve-hundred-dollar box to me !!!

-- ..... art for lifes sake

Don said: “Yes, Jojo, that is one change, but I always intended to do that.”

To be frank, I was susprised that you didn’t do that before but I thought it was a customer’s request. Regarding the arch in the handles, I did remark something bizarre going on. The curve seemed less pronounced but I reckoned it was the perspective of that particular set of pictures. Do they still have some curvature or are dead flat now? To me they look like they have some.

In any case, it is awesome mate.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://www.japanese-woodworking-tools.com/

Jojo, there is a gentle curve. You have a good eye for detail.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

i just got to say i love this box it has so much passion in it’s design. and the colors of the wood flow very well together. and the sheen of the finish is perfect. I also need to say that many of the beautifully handcrafted boxes you have posted and many others. have inspired me to make my own. i plan on making a nice size keep sake box for my wife this weekend.

i will post the results.

-- Jason, Wood Working Has Taken Over My Life. And I Love It.

Lee said it all. You are without a doubt Master of the Boxhounds.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Thanks, Douglas, I consider it an honor to be a member.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Don, I can see why she was delighted with it. That’s an exceptional box. Very beautiful.

-- John

exquisite!!! I want to start some boxes…you are an inspiration…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...177 days to sanity...

Don
You need to get a “boxhound tattoo” on your bicep !!

-- ..... art for lifes sake

Don.

One word.

WOW.

I am in awe with the talent and patience it must take to build something that beautiful

-- Dusty

This is truly a beautiful box Don. A labor of love and a work of Art. Your selection of these gorgeous woods and where you placed them is flattering to the design.Very classy.Your joinery is spot on or else it would be glaringly obvious.We can fudge joints a little with one color of wood,but not easily with two. The way you set the medallion into the frame of lighter wood is not for the faint of heart, and you did it to perfection.And the overall design is balanced,functional,and orderly.I salute you.

-- " Stubborn tenacity substitutes for natural ability" ANDY

Don,

I did a search on LJ to find some info on box making and came across your commissioned box project. Making a box sounds simple, but making all the joints fit perfectly and adding those refined touches that makes a box much more than just a six-sided container is inspiring and more than just a bit intimidating from the perspective of someone who is just beginning woodworking.

Your blog is instructive. I appreciate your sharing.

Congratulations on an awesome piece of art and on your first commission.

Dalec

Beautiful box Don! I am currently in the process of making my first set of jewelry boxes. Your blog is very helpful. Merry Christmas.

I was just waiting for you to enter this box in the competition.

Good job!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Beautiful Color…Great looking box!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Very nice Don. Very classy too. I love looking at beautiful boxes. Something so calming about it. Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest.

-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA

Superb craftsmanship, beautiful choice of materials!

Great work Don,beautiful box.

-- Krisztian (from Hungary) VA

Hey Don, I was wondering when you were going to enter one of your boxes in the contest. I was sortvof hoping you were somewhere out on Ayer’s Rock on a month-long camping trip or something, so the rest of us would stand a chance. <g>

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

I have a box in the contest too. But, yours gets my vote! Nice work. Max

-- Max the janitor at www.hardwoodskeletonclocks.com

Wow, great proportion, design, color, wood selection and workmanship. This will be tough to beat.

-- Bob A in NJ

Well a man after my own heart. You know I love building boxes. What a fine one you have entered here. The wood selection is fabulous and the craftsmanship is top-notch. Thanks for inspiring all of us with your work!!

Terry
www.wrightwoodworks.com

-- Terry

I remember this one Don. Believe it or not, this was the one that finally got me to start paying attention to the “small wooden boxes” that you are a master of.

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

I guess I missed this one, when I was in the midst of switching computers.

This contest has brought it out of the woodwork, so I’m not missing it this time around.

As usual some beautiful, artistic, & splendid craftsmanship.

Keep on Boxing!!

Good Luck!!

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

That’s a real masterpiece Don. Beautiful!

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC