box 004

This box turned out to be a lot bigger and more detailed than first intended. What was going to be a simple black and tan, no frills box just kept getting more and more detailed as I worked on it. The original idea was just too plain. This is a good example of designing without a plan. It's like designing on a computer screen-too easily distracted and takes too much time searching around. But I'm pretty happy with the end result. Of course there's always mishaps and the only major one with this project was the breaking of one of the ebony pieces, which I used for the back. The break seam is totally visible. The next one is definitely going to be a lot simpler.

box 003

Murphy's Law says: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong"

Yeah, this pretty much sums up the making of this box. Quite a fiasco, but somehow it got pulled together at the very last minute at three in the morning the day of it's departure.

The first thing that went wrong was when I had the brilliant idea of using an end mill cutter to to the shallow hole for one of the inlays. Things went horribly wrong as soon as the bit touch the surface of the box. With no counter sink on the bit, the cutting bit took the box right out from under my hand and gouged out several holes around it's intended location. Curses, I say! Okay, not a problem, I'll just mill out the area and veneer over it and make it look intentional - yeah, right. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

The second thing that went wrong was when I was clamping the box to the vise for the milling machine. I guess I didn't secure it evenly enough, for a nice "POP" came screaming from the box. The pressure of the vise caused three of the four corners to split open. My heart sank as the anger starts to rise from within! Damn it to hell! I say. I'm going to have to chuck this box into the bloody rubbish bin! But wait, if I did, all that work was for nothing! So, patiently, I squeeze what little glue I can into the cracks and clamped it back into shape for the glue to dry.

After milling away the first fiasco and patching it with a piece of wood veneer, I started on the milling of the feet. Since I didn't want to repeat the first fiasco, I tried to secure the box as much as possible without breaking it again. As soon as the cutting bit touch the box, it ripped it from the vice and bit away at the bottom edge like a mangy mutt! Cruses! Again! What the hell?! My patients is almost at an end and I'm getting freakin tired. After a few minutes of though, the only solution is to mill out the entire bottom area where the teeth marks were and make it look uniform. As a result, it actually didn't turn out too bad.

This series of unexpected events had actually made the box look more interesting than when it was first conceived. A coat of linseed oil over everything and it was of to bed. A second coat of linseed oil in the morning and it was finally done. I pray that this does not happen again on the next one.

box 002

This second box came out OK, I think. Red is the theme. Well close enough, anyway, hee, hee. I like the contrast in the color and values of the woods used. A dark brown flanking the deep red-orange, with a light separator. And finally try and make the inside precious? Ok,.....ok,.....more to cover up the butt ugly seams is more like it, hahahahaha. Let's see if the next one is any better:p Again, I like the ability to flip the lid over and use it as a platform for display, just like the first one.

box 001

Many moons ago I made a box as a gift.

Last month I make one for a friend. I had so much fun making it, that I've decided to make more boxes as gifts for family and friends.

These custom made boxes are experiments in value, contrast, form, and color, and are designed "on-the-fly" for they may, or may not resemble the initial concept sketchs that I do. I hope the people enjoy having them as much as I did making them:)