These boxes are built to last. Their outside dimensions are approximately 8’’ long, x 4 ¼ ‘’ wide x 4-5” tall depending on the bases. The design in a simple, lift lid, held by gravity. These boxes are finished with a wiping varnish that brings out the beauty of this gorgeous wood.
They are all built with premium lumber, selected for individual character. Many of the wood comes from my “special stash” of wood that I’ve been saving for years for just the right moment. Many of the stock has natural voids, or empty spaces. These are caused by knots, bark enclosures, or the work of insects. I have chosen to highlight these “imperfections” by filling the voids with epoxy colored with metallic pigment.
The joinery used in this is rabbet joints pinned with dowels. The short side pieces fit into a groove at the end of the long piece. To add even more strength, in case of extreme falls, dowels are drilled and glued into the rabbet. The top and bottom panels fit into rabbets as well. The added surface area gives the box plenty of strength with glue alone. There are no metal fasteners used. Just wood, glue, and finish.
The sides are made using a cool process called re-sawing that involves cutting the board in half along its length creating two, equally thick matching boards. By carefully cutting the boards exactly how I want, I create seamless grain matching around all four corners of the box. This makes all corners wrap around seamlessly, something that shows intent and gives the box a sense of wonder.
Add ons:
Burned initials-$10
Music box mechanism–$30
songs:
Greensleeves
Blue Danube
A keepsake Box is a special box for safely storing things that are special to our heart’s. It’s contents may change over the years, but the integrity and class of the box will not. It will be there, safely holding guard upon our most precious items. These are one of a kind, and made from love.
This part of the tree allowed bark to get enclosed within. It creates interesting figure and voids that I filled with epoxy containing purple, mettalic pigments.
This lid is truly a gem, pun intended. That's how my wife Christina describes the shape and color of the lid and probably explains why it's her current favorite.
The purple the natural color of the wood. Only a clear varnish added for protection.
This box shows the beauty of nature as highlighted with epoxy filling the beetle tunnels, and knot.
This box shows the beauty of nature as highlighted with epoxy filling the beetle tunnels, and knot.
This box shows the beauty of nature as highlighted with epoxy filling the beetle tunnels, and knot.
Not finished yeT
Sides: Walnut with Knot/void filled with purple epoxy
Not finished yet
Sides: Alder
Lid: Live-edge Sycamore with a “river” made from metallic, seafoam-colored epoxy
Bottom: Cherry
Sides: Alder with long, seafoam stripe
Lid:Alder cut with 30 degree chamfers with a pull made of pecky alder with various tunnels made by beetles filled in with pigmented epoxy.
Sides:Quartersawn White Oak
Lid: Quartersawn White Oak
Sides:Quartersawn White Oak
Lid: Quartersawn White Oak
This knot and bark enclosure is so beautiful! I love the curl of the wide oak sides as well.
This knot and bark enclosure is so beautiful! I love the curl of the wide oak sides as well.
I love the lid on this! You can see the pore structure of the oak fibers. It looks rough, but it's smooth as glass, after lots of careful finishing.
The lid is made of aromatic cedar, which is actually just a juniper. It is the classic smell that deters moths. I really like this particular piece of walnut that the sides are made out of.
I love this lid!
This is my favorite!