LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Rockler 3-Pc. Roundover/Beading Bit Set at Rockler  |  DeWalt Gauge Narrow Crown Stapler at Tool King

Jewelry Box for Ma

Project by jamison00 posted 418 days ago 1162 views 22 times favorited 28 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This was my first major project, which when I look back, am shocked that it turned out as nice as it did. I found a fantastic piece of Quilted Maple at a place in Oregon just off of I-5. I believe the town was Jefferson; the lumber mill was family owned and the folks were happy to show me around and help me pick out a great board. I wish I could remember their name, but maybe someone else can post it if they know. Anyway, its made of Quilted Maple, and Mahogany stained a dark strawberry red. I recall building this thing in my apartment in Chicago. We had a dining room that we weren’t using, so it became my workshop. It was way before I had any idea of the mess involved with seriously milling a lot of wood. A few days later, my roommate confronted me about the thin layer of sawdust covering every inch of the kitchen. I spent I fair amount of time cleaning up the mess, and made the unfortunate decision that this would be my last major project at that residence.

-- James


28 comments so far

View brianinpa's profile

brianinpa

1363 posts in 602 days


posted 418 days ago

That is a wonderful piece. The top hides its beauty. It looks like it is a simple box until it is opened.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

3401 posts in 567 days


posted 418 days ago

My Goodness , that is certainly a stunning piece of eye candy !!! Is that your own design ? Everything appears to be flawless including the finish : ) Adding to my favorites …thanks for posting this GEM ….I bret Ma was proud to receive such a beautiful gift !!!

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View childress's profile

childress

152 posts in 420 days


posted 418 days ago

THAT….is badass! I love it. Man, I hate it when someone makes something so cool that I want to make it myself, but then I would feel guilty because I basically copied somebody elses work. Don’t worry, I won’t copy….I promise:)

-- Childress Woodworks

View SPalm's profile

SPalm

921 posts in 761 days


posted 418 days ago

Hello James.

That is a fine piece. Well done sir. It does show well.

I assume the beveled center section is what keeps the top locked. Very clever.
(Why the cut out in the left hand tray? To allow a finger hold for removal?)

Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7467 posts in 1097 days


posted 418 days ago

Really beautifully designed and built!

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

View Blake's profile

Blake

2715 posts in 753 days


posted 418 days ago

Did you design this your self? That is SO cool. I love the way the top opens and locks. Brilliant! I wish you would do more.

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

View jamison00's profile

jamison00

16 posts in 419 days


posted 418 days ago

Thanks very much everyone.

To Steve—Yes, you’re correct about the design of the lid. The cut out in the hand tray is actually to allow space to operate a vertically mounted bolt lock. When the bolt is down and the lid is closed, the drawer cannot be opened.

To Childress—Man, thanks very much, and certainly go ahead and copy. I’d like to say I completely designed this from scratch but I think I took inspiration from quite a few places. My good friend Roger says that good design is 30% inspiration, 70% theft. Maybe theft is a little strong, but the truth is imitation is the biggest form flattery, so thanks again dude.

-- James

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

3421 posts in 956 days


posted 418 days ago

great story on the first workshop—-my roommate would have evicted me (my wife) had I tried to do wood working in the diningroom…

BRILLIANT PIECE…how long ago was this?

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

View trifern's profile

trifern

7890 posts in 646 days


posted 418 days ago

Great project with some unbelievable timber. Simply gorgeous…

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View Tom Adamski's profile

Tom Adamski

309 posts in 649 days


posted 417 days ago

James…
Exquisite!!! Your craftsmanship is supurb.

Tom

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3415 posts in 942 days


posted 417 days ago

Absolutely one of my favorite boxes of all time. And this area of woodworking is my area of focus. I follow some heavy-weight box guys both here and on the net (not the least among them being Phillip Weber (www.weberboxes.com), William McDowell (www.teknodeco.com) and the prolific author/artisan Doug Stowe (www.dougstowe.com). I think that you have some heavy mojo here partner!

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

View davidtheboxmaker's profile

davidtheboxmaker

372 posts in 684 days


posted 417 days ago

Wow. That’s a superb piece of work. Great design very well executed. You certainly got a great piece of wood to work with. I’d be using that supplier again.

View Dennis Zongker's profile

Dennis Zongker

1005 posts in 471 days


posted 417 days ago

Now that’s a box!!! Great job.

-- Dennis Zongker

View ryno101's profile

ryno101

231 posts in 543 days


posted 417 days ago

That is beautiful… I love the design of the lid, with the center piece dovetailed into the wings, and the top compartments that fit into the wings. Really nice.

It’s an inspiration that you were able to get that level of precision in your first major project. Did you use hand tools for the milling, or did you have a jointer/planer in that first workshop?

Excellent… Fantastic design, flawless execution.

-- Ryno

View Douglas Krueger's profile

Douglas Krueger

379 posts in 602 days


posted 417 days ago

Jamison,

If that had been my first piece, there is a good change I would have quit while ahead. A uniquely designed closure system and the gorgeous wood makes it stand out in a crowd. Can’t wait to see your second project.

Expect some flattery coming your way as the eldest daughter has requested a jewelery box for xmas and your designs will be incorporated.

Where did you get the hardware for it, that sort of thing is next to impossible to find in Thailand so I need to order early to get it here on time.

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles

View TreeBones's profile

TreeBones

1558 posts in 902 days


posted 417 days ago

Beautiful box, well worth the sawdust clean up. Your mom is very lucky. Great wood, I firmly support the small sawmill operators and will look for them the next time I go through Jefferson.

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6065 posts in 653 days


posted 417 days ago

Exquisite detail and design! If you are not still doing this type of work, you should be. Thanks for posting.

God bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 595 days


posted 417 days ago

hat is a wonderful piece.Thanks for posting.

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View woodworm's profile

woodworm

7845 posts in 469 days


posted 417 days ago

This is really beautiful. Unique in design. I added your project to my favorites.
IMHO..you should continue making it for $. Try to have a dedicated workshop.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

View hasbeen99's profile

hasbeen99

106 posts in 418 days


posted 417 days ago

Wow! Excellent choice of contrasting woods—I’m sure the pics don’t do it justice. The design is fantastic.

-- "The only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself in love." --Galatians 5:6

View craven's profile

craven

54 posts in 451 days


posted 417 days ago

Wow!! Let me add to the heap of well deserved praise. Excellent design and execution!!!! Craven

-- let the chips fly!

View miles125's profile

miles125

1414 posts in 884 days


posted 417 days ago

Those colors just WORK! Very nice box.

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

View stanley_clifton's profile

stanley_clifton

117 posts in 582 days


posted 416 days ago

Beautiful timber, nice and clever design, great execution. Love it. Get on to that second piece immediately and show us all how to do it.

-- Stanley generally struggling

View woodyone's profile

woodyone

234 posts in 470 days


posted 414 days ago

The middle lock is very clever, well done.

Woody.

-- Woody, UK

View majeagle1's profile

majeagle1

417 posts in 375 days


posted 353 days ago

Wow, absolutely stunning! Talk about creativitiy ! I love the combinatio of wood, quilted maple is really beautiful. I have to ask, how did you cuttout the drawer front? I looked for a seam and didn’t see one, the only thing I can imagine is to scroll saw/............ well, I don’t know.

I also added to my favorites.

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

View PurpLev's profile

PurpLev

2675 posts in 527 days


posted 203 days ago

beautiful piece!

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

View Andy's profile

Andy

562 posts in 787 days


posted 147 days ago

I really like the design and the wood combo.That quilted Maple is stunning! You are gutzy to take on a project like this and especially in an apt.This is very very nice!!!

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

View a1Jim's profile

a1Jim

15557 posts in 456 days


posted 147 days ago

ooooo woooow oooo coool neat really fine, very impressive, love the design and wood great work

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

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