LumberJocks

Not just any box.....(It's all about the inside)

Project by Ryan Shervill posted 222 days ago 1959 views 14 times favorited 58 comments Add to Favorites
View Ryan Shervill's profile

Ryan Shervill

199 posts in 264 days


Project tags/keywords

Embed This Project

LumberJocks Code

HTML Code

URL/IMG Code

Preview this project card

Not just any box.....(It's all about the inside) Not just any box.....(It's all about the inside) Not just any box.....(It's all about the inside) Click the pictures to enlarge them

Not just any box… “it’s all about the inside”

Here’s my submission for the 2008 challenge.

“It’s all about the inside”

To me, the inside of a box…especially a jewellery box, should be just as attractive as the outside (if not more so). I paid special attention to the inside details to try and achieve that. I carried the Birdseye and Cocobolo to the inside inlaying one with the other wherever possible. I lined the box, drawers, and compartments with burgundy suede. Although it is more work, I prefer natural materials and wood inside a fine box to flocking and ply. There was some inventing required, as the recipient wanted a place to hang her necklaces….but didn’t want a tall “cabinet style” box. What I came up with is the folding chain hanger in the top compartment. The “lid” and hinge are all one piece of birdseye to which I attached a strip of cocobolo at the top (with cocobolo dowels) equipped with hooks to hold the tops of the necklaces, the I sewed (gasp!) a small pouch out of the same suede to form a pouch to hold the bottoms of the chains. Now, when she wants to select a necklace, she swings up the holder and Voila! Hanging chains in a short box! The inside also features another swing-up compartment to hold stud earrings, a multiple slot ring holder in the same suede, and all kinds of nooks for the multitudes of “must haves” and “accessories” that women seem to accumulate.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

The wood: This board was a TV star!

The body trim and legs are cocobolo, but it’s only there to frame the star of the show. Some of you may have seen a show on the Discovery Channel about old-growth lumber that has been recovered from the bottom of the deep water of Georgian Bay. In the episode they showed a board demonstrating the outstanding figure and grain tightness (45-60 rings per inch!) ….this is the board that was featured! I bought it two years ago, and have been waiting for that “perfect” project…this has to be it!
The tree that this came from was cut down 165 years ago, and while it was being floated to the mill it became waterlogged and slipped below the surface. It finally settled on the bottom, 130 feet below daylight. The 0 oxygen/ 0 light environment allowed this wood to remain perfectly preserved, waiting to be brought to the surface and given new life.
Great Birdseye figure is super tough to find (1/1000 trees)…now, try and find that one in a thousand in 130 feet of water.
Photobucket
Photobucket

The Finish:

This finish is my absolute favourite finish….but it is extremely time consuming. Every inch of this box (including the bottom) received French polish (padded-on shellac) over five coats of hand rubbed tung….my hands are still soft….yet sticky… at the same time :)

The Recipient:

(Hopefully this doesn’t sound too hokey)

This box is for my wife Chantelle. She is my biggest fan, strongest supporter, and truly my best friend. Chantelle will be giving me a special gift of my own in April….a brand new shiny baby girl! I’m actually giving her this box from the baby…kind of a “thank you for the last 9 months” gift. I’ll post her reaction when she recieves it.
Photobucket

Thanks for looking everybody, I appreciate it!

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com


58 comments so far

View Karson's profile

Karson

12741 posts in 852 days


posted 222 days ago

A great looking Box. And what figure in the wood. You made a great snatch when you bought it. And then saved it until the right time.

Good job and congratulations on finishing.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

View Jimthecarver's profile

Jimthecarver

199 posts in 237 days


posted 222 days ago

Beautiful …I hate to even call it a box. She will love it !

-- A duck that brags on his own pond, soon swims alone.

View Les Hastings's profile

Les Hastings

419 posts in 225 days


posted 222 days ago

Excellant work!!!

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

View Bob A in NJ's profile

Bob A in NJ

303 posts in 451 days


posted 222 days ago

Wow, great story, great piece of wood and a romantic ending! Excellent workmanship. Thanks for posting this.

-- Bob A in NJ

View mrtrim's profile

mrtrim

1525 posts in 332 days


posted 222 days ago

wow id give my neighbors right arm for some of that wood !! lol exellent work ryan . and congrats on the new addition as well

-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes

View dalec's profile

dalec

452 posts in 340 days


posted 222 days ago

This box has the wow factor. Very nice work.

Dalec

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

3990 posts in 670 days


posted 222 days ago

That is some very special wood, and you did a great job with it!

Down here we have a similar situation with old cypress logs. They call them sinkers.

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

View DAN's profile

DAN

2918 posts in 435 days


posted 222 days ago

very impressive craftsmanship. the maple figure you chose is explosive. masterwork.

-- ..... art for lifes sake

View Bruce's profile

Bruce

61 posts in 227 days


posted 222 days ago

SWEET!

View IowaWoodcrafter's profile

IowaWoodcrafter

250 posts in 528 days


posted 222 days ago

Congrats on the soon to be addition to the family! The box is simply amazing. There’s no doubt your wife will love it and cherish the thought put into the gift.

-- Owen Johnson - aka IowaWoodcrafter

View SPalm's profile

SPalm

702 posts in 334 days


posted 222 days ago

Very very fine. This is truly a wonderful piece and your craftsmanship is ourstanding.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1476 posts in 542 days


posted 222 days ago

Amazing box. It is dazzling actually. Great details too. Good luck with the contest.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View sandhill's profile

sandhill

232 posts in 376 days


posted 222 days ago

Wow you have to be busting with pride. Very, very nice!

-- Just another day in paradise.

View CedarFreakCarl's profile

CedarFreakCarl

326 posts in 505 days


posted 222 days ago

Thats some box Ryan! Just beautiful. Dazzling!

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

3244 posts in 414 days


posted 222 days ago

That one is a dandy!! I don’t know though, it seems you are spending too much time with your clients. LOL
Excellent craftsmanship. I hope you bought the whole tree.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

View Ryan Shervill's profile

Ryan Shervill

199 posts in 264 days


posted 222 days ago

Holy cow….does anyone here ever say anything mean? Seriously…I have to get my head through the shop door tomorrow, and if you guys keep it up it’s not going to fit :)

Thos…..The whole tree? Not likely. Just the board that was on the Disovery Channel….and I could have probably just bought the band-saw with what it cost. (God knows I should have…my old bandsaw gave up the ghost 6 months ago!) The bulk of that tree was sold to a veneer mill in Germany for somewhere north of 10K! What can I say…I fell in love with a piece of wood.

Thanks again everyone…you are far too kind.

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

8585 posts in 274 days


posted 222 days ago

Congratulations on the jewelry box. The birdseye figure is absolutely gorgeous. Just working with wood of this caliber would be intimidating enough. But to produce something of this quality is a testament to your craftmanship.

I am sure that your wife will love it. Maybe, if you ask her just right, she will let you get a new bandsaw in return for the jewelry box. Congratulations on the new baby as well.

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

View mot's profile

mot

4839 posts in 488 days


posted 222 days ago

Just a wonderful piece!

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

View Greg3G's profile

Greg3G

625 posts in 537 days


posted 222 days ago

Congrats on the Baby….The box is absolutely beautiful. The wood is stunning.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

View Chris Davis's profile

Chris Davis

213 posts in 434 days


posted 222 days ago

Great box and the story behind it.

-- Check out the live video stream from our shop. http://wwbeds.com

View Dana's profile

Dana

73 posts in 222 days


posted 222 days ago

Very beautiful Your wife will love it :) Congrats on your upcoming addition to the family :)

-- Dana,Texas

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

11657 posts in 613 days


posted 222 days ago

gorgeous and all the thought put into the design. Awesome.!

The story: priceless!!!

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

View Chris 's profile

Chris

1166 posts in 443 days


posted 222 days ago

Absolutely Amazing!!!

Oh… and Congrats to you and your wife.

-- Chris

View john's profile

john

757 posts in 833 days


posted 222 days ago

First of all conrats on the new addition to your family Ryan
The box looks beautiful !!! , it shines like a bar of gold.
What type of hinges are they?

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

View tpastore's profile

tpastore

58 posts in 268 days


posted 222 days ago

Wow. Wow. Wow. Nice work. I like the creativity with the neclace challenge too. How about a picture of the profile and front?

Excellent design, functionality and execution!

View motthunter's profile

motthunter

1172 posts in 251 days


posted 222 days ago

i love it. wow! great work

-- making sawdust....

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

2468 posts in 516 days


posted 222 days ago

Stunning piece of lumber and an exemplary box. Congrats on the upcoming family event!

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

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5352 posts in 518 days


posted 222 days ago

Beautiful box – looks like you did not waste that special piece of wood. I can’t think of anything that you could have added to this beauty to make it any better. I trust the wife was pleased? Congrats on the upcoming addition to the family.

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

View Russel's profile

Russel

1214 posts in 391 days


posted 222 days ago

Without a doubt, the inside is gorgeous, but that outside is nothing to sneeze at. It’s a beautiful box and a fantastic gift. Very nicely done.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View Jiri Parkman's profile

Jiri Parkman

552 posts in 265 days


posted 221 days ago

Amazing box. Beautiful wood.

-- Jiri

View pfconrey's profile

pfconrey

14 posts in 222 days


posted 221 days ago

Wow, that is very pretty. Congratulations on your new baby girl. They’re lots of fun.

-- Being nice gets you stuff!

View NCWoodworker's profile

NCWoodworker

6 posts in 229 days


posted 221 days ago

Congratulations on your new addition! I don’t know if this is your first, but you have a lot to look forward to. Kids are soo much fun!!!

The box is awesome! You did a great job and it looks like you found the right project for you wood! Personally, I think the story is very nice and not cheesy at all! In fact, my introduction to woodworking started with making a music box for my wife when she was giving me twin boys, so I can definitely relate (not that my box was anything like this, but I was happy for my first project! :-) )

Again, congratulations and beautiful work!

Chris

-- Antiques made, while you wait

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

7202 posts in 326 days


posted 221 days ago

Geez, that is magnificent. This is really going to be a tough contest for people to judge.

-- Maplewood, MN

View John Gray's profile

John Gray

602 posts in 337 days


posted 221 days ago

SUPER SUPER NICE!!!!!

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

View scottb's profile

scottb

2886 posts in 779 days


posted 221 days ago

ummm… WOW

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

8414 posts in 440 days


posted 221 days ago

Man, that is one beautiful box! The wood and finish are amazing as is the workmanship that went into it.

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

View Miket's profile

Miket

179 posts in 224 days


posted 221 days ago

Great looking box! One of the best I’v seen here.

-- It's better to have people think you're stupid rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt.

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

625 posts in 353 days


posted 221 days ago

That’s one heck of a story about a stunning piece of maple Ryan and you’ve crafted a most exquisite box. We hope the next three months goes well.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1511 posts in 442 days


posted 221 days ago

Wow is to easy a way to describe this Ryan. It’s a museum piece, that is for sure. She’s really gonna love it. I’m also gonna have to take up SCUBA again!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View Zuki's profile

Zuki

823 posts in 529 days


posted 221 days ago

That is one amazing piece of wood. What a finish . . . it looks like gold.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

View Don Kondra 's profile

Don Kondra

50 posts in 338 days


posted 221 days ago

Love the hinges Ryan :)

For the top, why didn’t you do all four sides in cocobolo?

Good work.

Congrats to you and Chantelle….

Cheers, Don.

-- Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

1635 posts in 529 days


posted 221 days ago

forget the box—-CONGRATS on the baby!!! The box is “pretty good” too…(just trying to help you get your head through the door…great box!

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

View Ryan Shervill's profile

Ryan Shervill

199 posts in 264 days


posted 221 days ago

LOL @ Don…I was WAITING for you to comment on that hinge….I know how much you love them ;)

The lid: The cocobolo only wraps around three sides because of how it’s constructed to allow movement. The sides are like breadboard ends, but glued only at the back 1 1/2”. The front cocobolo piece is attached to the side cocobolo pieces, but sits in a goove in the front of the birdseye panel with about 1/8” of space behind it. That way, as the maple panel expands/contracts all that changes is the amount of the front cocobolo piece that is visible. Besides, I like to leave an exposed edge to show that it’s not veneer :)

Thanks again everyone, you are far too kind.

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com

View Kerry's profile

Kerry

104 posts in 242 days


posted 221 days ago

I was confident that your entry would be phenomenal Ryan, and it is. Special wood, special box, special occasion.

And congratulations on the new baby!

Kerry

-- Alberta, Canada

View dewoodwork's profile

dewoodwork

91 posts in 408 days


posted 220 days ago

This box is exceptional in every way. I am awe struck.

-- Express creativity with wood, Dewayne. Vacaville CA.

View Ryan Shervill's profile

Ryan Shervill

199 posts in 264 days


posted 220 days ago

You guys certainly are good for a person’s ego!
Chantelle says thank you for all the baby wishes….(I think she just wants it OUT!) LOL.

Cheers everyone,

Ryan

-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com

View Warren Rachele's profile

Warren Rachele

4 posts in 220 days


posted 218 days ago

Frantastic work. I love all the little details that you left to search for.

View Dominic Vanacora's profile

Dominic Vanacora

379 posts in 321 days


posted 218 days ago

The artistic design, than the perfect wood, than the perfect craftman and than the perfect workmenship, than the perfict finish. Put it all together and you get a gift that will passed on from mother to daugther to granddaughter to great granddaughter.

-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2613 posts in 431 days


posted 212 days ago

This is beyond words.

From the wood, to the design; to the craftsmanship!

Fantastic.

Lee

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

View schroeder's profile

schroeder

462 posts in 577 days


posted 212 days ago

Wonderful work and story behind it Ryan! – stunning! and congrates on your addition to the family! – a great woodworker in the making!

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

View davidtheboxmaker's profile

davidtheboxmaker

305 posts in 257 days


posted 212 days ago

Inspiring work, wood and story!!!!!!!!!
I’cve got some nice burrput to one side – I may try that lid configuration so that I can use a large piece for a lid.

View Karson's profile

Karson

12741 posts in 852 days


posted 212 days ago

Ryan a fantastic box. And definitely not just any box.

Congratulations on the contest results.

Very beautiful.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

View Jeff's profile

Jeff

9 posts in 259 days


posted 209 days ago

Beautiful work. I am sure your wife, daughter and generations to come will enjoy it.

-- I think, therefore I am confused.

View Blake's profile

Blake

1902 posts in 326 days


posted 201 days ago

Shoot, ...WOW, ...um, ...shoot, ...WOW!!!

Favorited!

-- Dust collectors suck.

View yippee's profile

yippee

9 posts in 170 days


posted 169 days ago

Absolutely stunning work – and a beautiful piece of wood / history – love it!

-- Currently-from-Grand-Rapids-but-looking-to-move-to-beautiful-Traverse-City ... :)

View moonroc's profile

moonroc

40 posts in 140 days


posted 138 days ago

Thats outstanding! I hope you signed it because thats what you do with a piece of art.

-- Richard http://www.LearnFineCrafts.com

View BobR's profile

BobR

132 posts in 437 days


posted 138 days ago

That box is just something else. Great work. Just love that timber.

-- Bob

View kolwdwrkr's profile

kolwdwrkr

162 posts in 42 days


posted 14 days ago

This box is breathtaking to say the least. The figure in the wood is absolutely amazing. I put it as a favorite 22 days ago. I didn’t know what to say then.

-- inspiring those who inspire me ~ I welcome constructive criticism! ~

You must be signed in to post the comments.

Your Online Shop - Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated - Your Woodworking Showcase - 3 Ways To Help, Financially - Your Woodworking Community

Woodworking StoreApparel StoreMake a Donation
Bookmark And Share This Page
  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: All views and comments posted by members are not necessarily those of LumberJocks.com or of those working on the site.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase