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Comissioned Jewelry Box

Project by Don posted 792 days ago 2437 views 23 times favorited 49 comments Add to Favorites Watch

Today, my friend who asked me to make this box saw it in person for the first time. She has been following my blog about making this box, but hadn’t seen it in the flesh (or should that be in the ‘wood’?). I’m pleased to report that she seemed delighted with it.

I believe that the red wood is Queensland Lacy Oak. The box trim is Victorian Ash and the dividers are American Maple.

I made a minor change that is shown here since the photo’s that I posted in my blog. Can you spot them?

For a full description of this box in a series of step-by-step articles, please see my blog.

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


49 comments so far

View Buckskin's profile

Buckskin

484 posts in 879 days


posted 792 days ago

Amazing and beautiful work as usual!

View Jojo's profile

Jojo

580 posts in 863 days


posted 792 days ago

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://twitter.com/kagushokunin

View WayneS 's profile

WayneS

34 posts in 822 days


posted 792 days ago

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

-- Wayne - Newbie looking to learn!

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

235 posts in 1331 days


posted 792 days ago

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

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14157 posts in 1052 days


posted 792 days ago

Yes… “you did good” :)

An amazingly beautiful small, wooden box!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5970 posts in 957 days


posted 792 days ago

Outstanding Don.

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

View Roger Strautman's profile

Roger Strautman

534 posts in 1025 days


posted 792 days ago

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"

View TonyWard's profile

TonyWard

284 posts in 1219 days


posted 792 days ago

Don

Getting ready for the AWR competition with this box?

t.w.

-- Bandsaw Box Plans

View shaun's profile

shaun

361 posts in 797 days


posted 792 days ago

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!

View GazAlyDesign's profile

GazAlyDesign

6 posts in 798 days


posted 792 days ago

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!

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

4015 posts in 854 days


posted 792 days ago

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

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6435 posts in 874 days


posted 792 days ago

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

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View TomFran's profile

TomFran

2509 posts in 885 days


posted 792 days ago

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

View Joel Tille's profile

Joel Tille

214 posts in 1135 days


posted 792 days ago

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

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3710 posts in 871 days


posted 792 days ago

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

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14157 posts in 1052 days


posted 792 days ago

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

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View mot's profile

mot

4902 posts in 928 days


posted 792 days ago

Wow….uh…what Lee said!

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

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7592 posts in 1110 days


posted 792 days ago

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

I just wish I had access to your woodpile.

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

View Bob Babcock's profile

Bob Babcock

1808 posts in 977 days


posted 792 days ago

I’m speechless.

LOL…what Tom said!

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

View Gary's profile

Gary

443 posts in 1215 days


posted 792 days ago

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

Gary

-- Gary, Florida

View BigMP's profile

BigMP

12 posts in 793 days


posted 791 days ago

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.

View john's profile

john

1183 posts in 1273 days


posted 791 days ago

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

-- John in Belgrave ,(Slideshow ) http://cid-69bce320c6d8b119.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Extreme%20Birdhouses/P1030026.JPG?ref=2 (Website) http://www.extremebirdhouse.com

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1768 posts in 888 days


posted 791 days ago

Holy smokes! What a beauty!

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

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1068 days


posted 791 days ago

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.hilsbiblechurch.org/

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6435 posts in 874 days


posted 791 days ago

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

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Jojo's profile

Jojo

580 posts in 863 days


posted 791 days ago

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://twitter.com/kagushokunin

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1068 days


posted 791 days ago

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

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

View JGardner23's profile

JGardner23

24 posts in 805 days


posted 791 days ago

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.

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3424 posts in 955 days


posted 791 days ago

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

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

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1068 days


posted 791 days ago

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

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

View wwnovice's profile

wwnovice

77 posts in 1077 days


posted 791 days ago

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

-- John

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

3482 posts in 968 days


posted 791 days ago

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

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6435 posts in 874 days


posted 791 days ago

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

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Dusty's profile

Dusty

785 posts in 1047 days


posted 790 days ago

Don.

One word.

WOW.

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

-- Dusty

View Andy's profile

Andy

570 posts in 800 days


posted 790 days ago

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.

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

View dalec's profile

dalec

581 posts in 780 days


posted 719 days ago

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

View Lboy's profile

Lboy

124 posts in 973 days


posted 698 days ago

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

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9518 posts in 880 days


posted 688 days ago

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.

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3791 posts in 1206 days


posted 688 days ago

Beautiful Color…Great looking box!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View RobH's profile

RobH

460 posts in 941 days


posted 688 days ago

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

View gbvinc's profile (online now)

gbvinc

536 posts in 838 days


posted 688 days ago

Superb craftsmanship, beautiful choice of materials!

View Krisztian's profile

Krisztian

89 posts in 791 days


posted 686 days ago

Great work Don,beautiful box.

-- Krisztian VA My website: www.vacarpentry.com

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7592 posts in 1110 days


posted 684 days ago

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"

View Charles Maxwell's profile

Charles Maxwell

159 posts in 698 days


posted 679 days ago

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

-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com

View Bob A in NJ's profile

Bob A in NJ

521 posts in 890 days


posted 679 days ago

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

-- Bob A in NJ

View Terdy's profile

Terdy

37 posts in 1025 days


posted 671 days ago

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

View shaun's profile

shaun

361 posts in 797 days


posted 671 days ago

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!

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7034 posts in 1191 days


posted 662 days ago

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!!

-- -** 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 CedarFreakCarl's profile

CedarFreakCarl

565 posts in 945 days


posted 659 days ago

That’s a real masterpiece Don. Beautiful!

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

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