| Project by Mottom | posted 205 days ago | 227 views | 1 time favorited | 11 comments |  |
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In the days of sail, ships carried stores to be able to repair just about everything on board. There was always a stock of lumber on board for hull, deck, and interior repair. Some sailors would pilfer scrap pieces and put togther small boxes for their sweehearts. The boxes were often octagonal and would be solid on both ends. The top would fit on the bottom like an old-fashioned hat box. The sailor would often pick an item as a gift, that may not be expensive, but was often very unusual for the folks back home in Europe: colorful shells, native carvings, semi-precious stones, etc. Over time, the boxes became as prized as the presents they held because they represented the love that the sailor held for the person receiving the gift; hence the name developed for the boxes….sailor’s valentines. Often, the receiver would have the top of the lid glassed in so that the sailor’s valentine could become a display case for their present. It’s not unusual now to see valentines that have had the bottoms covered in sand and seashells (glued in).
These two valentines are made of Sepale; I know that this would not have been a wood used by early sailors, but the grain just cried out to me. Thy’re finished in tung oil, boiled linseed oil, and lemon juice. You can see the plywood bottoms because the person who commissioned these will be covering them in sand and seashells for her sailor (her chance to personalize these). They are constructed with a glass top to allow them to be dislplayed like miniature shadow boxes. They measure 10”, inside diameter. I apologize about the stained plastic sheet in the background, but I wanted my work table protected and these were the only photos I snapped before delivering them.
-- New to the craft and loving every minute!
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11 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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12244 posts in 688 days
posted 205 days ago
I didn’t know about these before. Thanks
and these pieces are beautiful. I think the wood is saying thank you
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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314 posts in 325 days
posted 205 days ago
Nice project, great story – how do you the handle the mitre joints?
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
Scott Bryan
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9724 posts in 349 days
posted 205 days ago
These are beautiful. You did an excellent job on the construction and finish.
Thanks for the post and the story behind the project. I have often said that the story is almost as important as the project itself. This holds true for this one as well.
I enjoyed looking at this.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Mottom
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25 posts in 430 days
posted 205 days ago
Bill, I constructed a throw away crosscut sled with a 4.5” stop block and a hold down to save my fingers. This way all of the pieces have exactly the same angle on both ends. I’ll admit that I made a few extra pieces because a few always slip during cutting.
-- New to the craft and loving every minute!
juniorjock
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354 posts in 293 days
posted 205 days ago
I don’t know which I like best….. the story or the box. Very good job on both Mottom. I took a look at your projects and it’s very evident that you are a true craftsman. Thanks for the post.
-- Make things with wood.
Napaman
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2035 posts in 604 days
posted 205 days ago
cool project and story…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...
jjohn
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392 posts in 241 days
posted 205 days ago
Enjoyed both the story and the boxes.
-- JJohn
odie
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796 posts in 367 days
posted 205 days ago
“That’s a wonderful story, and you tell it so well”, Forest Gump …. Just kinding. great project … keep them coming !!!!
-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".
Dusty56
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1347 posts in 215 days
posted 205 days ago
love the grain and color
-- Dusty56@comcast.net
Roz
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262 posts in 314 days
posted 205 days ago
Great story! Great box.
-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."
Bradford
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653 posts in 350 days
posted 205 days ago
I concur with all the above statements. Great story line and project.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.