LumberJocks

Bride's Jewelry Box - Not Just Any Box

Project by Alin Dobra posted 744 days ago 1514 views 3 times favorited 38 comments Add to Favorites Watch

After three weeks in the making (about 50 hours of work), here it is: my entry for the “Not Just Any Box” competition. I designed and build this box for this competition starting Jan 8 (a little late, I know). The box pushed my skills to the limit and I was forced to learn a couple of things. I can truly say it reflects my current skill level both in terms of design and execution.

My main considerations when I set upon designing this box were:

1. Include as many of my skills in a single box as possible. I wanted a box that requires significant bandsawing, hand-cut dovetails, carving and, if possible wood turning.

2. Coming up with a clean design was paramount. Since I wanted so many skills reflected in the work, the possibility to produce an “overly decorated” piece was great.

3. I wanted something useful: a jewelry box that can actually hold a lot of jewelry.

4. As few straight lines as possible. This is especially difficult if dovetails are to be included since they require straight parts to be executed. I had this idea of curved dovetails for a long time but never had the guts to attempt it. This project seemed like the ideal opportunity.

Main design challenges:
1. Decide on a shape that is interesting but not overwhelming. I used Sketchup to get an idea of what would work.
2. Fit in a natural way a natural edge bowl. The inspiration came when I realized that a bride is bound to have a nice wedding ring that needs a special place.
3. Design some feet that fit the rest of the box and give it just enough elevation to add interestingness but not detract.
4. Design some shape for the partitions for the inside trays that fit the design of the box (straight partitions do not really fit).

Main construction challenges:
1. Cut the dovetails on wide pieces at a 15 degree angle (approx). The dovetails had to be perfect throughout the joint since I was planning to round them up (thus the inside becomes outside).
2. Shape the exterior (correct order is crucial). I first cut the dovetails, than the inside shape then glued the dovetails, then the outside shape.
3. Make the inside trays. Since the partitions are not straight, to avoid going insane with lots of small parts bending, I opted for using the scrollsaw on a 2×16 x 10 block of pine. Tedious work to say the least.
4. Doing a delicate woodturning worthy enough to be the central piece and to hold the wedding ring.
5. Carving the rose (about 8 hours on the rose alone).
6. Sanding the box (all done by hand)

Details about the box:
1. The box is 16 1/8” x 10” x 6”
2. The sides and top of the box are cut from a 4”x5”x36” block of cherry
3. The sides are hand-dovetailed and rounded
4. The rose is basswood (hand-carved and inserted into a hole in the top. I did not use glue since it allows me to remove the rose should I need to fiddle with the top and the fit in the hole is go good I have to press it in)
5. Inside trays are pine with a plywood bottom. The top tray is removable. Both trays “treated” with Donjer flocking. This flocking is sprayed over a glue and forms a nice cover. Everything got covered to make sure there is no competition for the central piece.
6. The box is finished with Watco oil and buffed to a nice luster. The rose and woodturning are finished with shellac.

Here are some more pictures of the box (3 pictures is not enough to show this box properly). Click on the picture to see a higher resolution version.


Thanks for looking,
Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida


38 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9820 posts in 959 days


posted 744 days ago

Excellent! That carving is great as is the entire box. The corners are fantastic.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way & "We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit" -Aristotle

View Chris 's profile

Chris

1523 posts in 962 days


posted 744 days ago

Outstanding Work Alin!

-- Chris

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11329 posts in 846 days


posted 744 days ago

That is ‘drop-dead’ gorgeous. Wonderful workmanship.

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

23849 posts in 793 days


posted 744 days ago

Alin, what can I say about the box? It is absolutely wonderful. The detail and craftmanship are wonderful.

Stunning!!!!!!

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View davidtheboxmaker's profile

davidtheboxmaker

372 posts in 776 days


posted 744 days ago

That’s a great box – as you say, it showcases a lot of different skills – well done.

View lw mitchell jr.'s profile

lw mitchell jr.

5 posts in 859 days


posted 744 days ago

very beautiful,and those dove-tails.wow

-- dubster-lowell,ar.-dubjr9539@sbcglobal.net

View Critterman's profile

Critterman

557 posts in 781 days


posted 744 days ago

Wow, that is incredible. And the rose carving…simply amazing. I didn’t have time to enter this year…with this box glad I didn’t….Geez, absolutely stunning. Alin, just can’t say enough what an amazing box.

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA

View Colin's profile

Colin

188 posts in 892 days


posted 744 days ago

Excellent work Alin, a wonderful box from design to manufacture to finish, I especially like how narrow the pins are on the outside edge of your dovetails, I guess the thickness of the saw blade!

-- Colin, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. "Every craftsman was once an amateur"

View mrtrim's profile

mrtrim

1698 posts in 851 days


posted 744 days ago

awsome work alin ! you are a very talented and skilled craftsman . great job

View Andy's profile

Andy

717 posts in 879 days


posted 744 days ago

Very well done Alin.
I like the free form shape,nice flowing lines.And thanks for taking the time to walk us through the process.

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

View Paul's profile

Paul

610 posts in 1064 days


posted 744 days ago

That’s very nice!

That’s not just any box!

-- Paul, Texas

View shaun's profile

shaun

360 posts in 877 days


posted 744 days ago

Alin, that is an abosutley gorgeous box. The detail is outstanding.

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

View Les Hastings's profile

Les Hastings

986 posts in 744 days


posted 744 days ago

Well done Alin,,,,,fantastic workmanship and design!!!

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

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

8269 posts in 1189 days


posted 744 days ago

Wonderful box, Alin. This is sure to be one of the top vote-getters!

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

View miles125's profile

miles125

1551 posts in 977 days


posted 744 days ago

This is a wonderful box Alin!

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

View Alin Dobra's profile

Alin Dobra

316 posts in 859 days


posted 744 days ago

Thanks everybody.

You are too kind and this is a great community as always.
Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

View mot's profile

mot

4900 posts in 1007 days


posted 743 days ago

Alin, this is a terrific box. The detail of the picture and your description is really great. Very nice entry!

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

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3473 posts in 1035 days


posted 743 days ago

Superior craftsmanship and design. Even the trays are amazing. Bravo.

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

View CedarFreakCarl's profile

CedarFreakCarl

562 posts in 1025 days


posted 743 days ago

That’s one fantastic box Alin! Nice presentation too!

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

View SPalm's profile

SPalm

1155 posts in 853 days


posted 743 days ago

Wow. That is outstanding! Very nice, and an informative description. Thanks for sharing.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

15086 posts in 1132 days


posted 743 days ago

that is awesome!
Love the centre bowl and the design that the compartments make!
Gorgeous.

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

View toyguy's profile

toyguy

882 posts in 808 days


posted 743 days ago

Looks like a winner to me.

-- Brian, Ontario Canada, http://www.wix.com/brian_graham/woodturning

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

795 posts in 872 days


posted 743 days ago

Alin, your box is exquisite, from the originality of its design through to the execution. A great vehicle to display your cabinetmaking, carving, turning and finishing skills.

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

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

15140 posts in 822 days


posted 743 days ago

Your skils are amazing Alin. Well done and good luck.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7210 posts in 1271 days


posted 743 days ago

Exceptional craftsmanship, & design.

A terrific job on the Rose. 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 Blake's profile

Blake

2965 posts in 845 days


posted 743 days ago

Congratulations, Alin. This is gorgeous. I was waiting to see what you would submit, I knew we could expect something great. Your hand-cut dovetails are exquisite, your design beautiful and unique, and your details are beautiful. Certainly a strong contender. Great job!

-- Check out my website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

View Alin Dobra's profile

Alin Dobra

316 posts in 859 days


posted 743 days ago

Thanks again for the nice comments.

This is the first time I’ve seen curved dovetails and I think I quite like how they turned up. What you cannot see in the picture is the fact that the look of the dovetails depends on the angle; as you move along the dovetails look like they are alive.

I’m glad you enjoy the box. Now I have to get back to work to finish my 2×4 entry.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

View Don's profile

Don

2579 posts in 1148 days


posted 743 days ago

Incredible, Alin. The skill employed to do this is absolutely tops. With this and some of the recent entries, I see min getting pushed further down the list. No worries, though, nothing like being stretched by the talend around here.

Best wishes!

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

View DaN's profile

DaN

6711 posts in 954 days


posted 743 days ago

Alin

Your work on this piece is inspiring. Flawless, from my point of view.
I especially like the scroll sawn trays. Nice all around design.
Worthy of a page in FWW magazine.

Regards
DAN

-- LINK to my eBay pages ..... http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=arts-and-crafts-style

View Alin Dobra's profile

Alin Dobra

316 posts in 859 days


posted 743 days ago

Don and Dan,

Thanks for the comments. I actually find it fascinating to see the wide variety of things various people like about the box. I have to admit building this box did push my skill and patience to the limit (and then some).

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

View relic's profile

relic

342 posts in 908 days


posted 742 days ago

Absolutely beautiful.

-- Andy Stark

View Patrick Jaromin's profile

Patrick Jaromin

288 posts in 803 days


posted 740 days ago

I can’t decide if I’m more impressed with your design skills, your craftsmanship or your patience. I really appreciate the time you took describing the process. Thanks!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

View Alin Dobra's profile

Alin Dobra

316 posts in 859 days


posted 740 days ago

Thanks relic and Patrick for the nice comments.

Patrick, woodworking is the only way I can relax (the TV drives me mad) so I learned to be patient. In real life I’m volcanic; if I do not slow down my head will explode someday. Woodworking slows me down and that is good.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

View Hawgnutz's profile

Hawgnutz

521 posts in 1047 days


posted 727 days ago

Great box, Alin! Those curved dovetails are a piece of art!

Fantastic carving on the top. It hints at the ring funnel inside. Great artistic bent to a wonderful project!

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

View Alin Dobra's profile

Alin Dobra

316 posts in 859 days


posted 727 days ago

Thanks Hawg.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

View ryno101's profile

ryno101

277 posts in 636 days


posted 597 days ago

Alin,

I just discovered your profile looking through some of your comments on Trifern’s work…

I have to say that I’m absolutely stunned. This box a culmination of so many techniques executed beautifully, I’m speechless.

Beautiful work. Keep it coming.

-- Ryno

View Alin Dobra's profile

Alin Dobra

316 posts in 859 days


posted 597 days ago

Thanks Ryno,

Make sure you look at my other projects as well.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

View Michael Brailsford's profile

Michael Brailsford

212 posts in 565 days


posted 558 days ago

spectacular. I love the dovetails on the rounded corners.

-- Michael A. Brailsford

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase