Project by Ryan Shervill | posted 01-30-2008 02:45 AM | 15207 views | 52 times favorited | 68 comments | ![]() |
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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.
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.
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.
Thanks for looking everybody, I appreciate it!
-- Want to see me completely transform a house? Look here: http://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/showthread.php?41055
68 comments so far
Karson
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35300 posts in 5863 days
#1 posted 01-30-2008 02:52 AM
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.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Appomattox Virginia [email protected] †
Jimthecarver
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1124 posts in 5248 days
#2 posted 01-30-2008 02:54 AM
Beautiful …I hate to even call it a box. She will love it !
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
Les Hastings
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1306 posts in 5236 days
#3 posted 01-30-2008 02:55 AM
Excellant work!!!
-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)
Bob A in NJ
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1381 posts in 5462 days
#4 posted 01-30-2008 03:03 AM
Wow, great story, great piece of wood and a romantic ending! Excellent workmanship. Thanks for posting this.
-- Bob A in NJ
mrtrim
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1696 posts in 5343 days
#5 posted 01-30-2008 03:04 AM
wow id give my neighbors right arm for some of that wood !! lol exellent work ryan . and congrats on the new addition as well
dalec
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612 posts in 5351 days
#6 posted 01-30-2008 03:10 AM
This box has the wow factor. Very nice work.
Dalec
CharlieM1958
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16292 posts in 5681 days
#7 posted 01-30-2008 03:17 AM
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"
Dan'um Style
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14193 posts in 5446 days
#8 posted 01-30-2008 03:21 AM
very impressive craftsmanship. the maple figure you chose is explosive. masterwork.
-- keeping myself entertained ... Humor and fun lubricate the brain
Bruce
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201 posts in 5238 days
#9 posted 01-30-2008 03:25 AM
SWEET!
-- I think of Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman when he says "Where does he get those wonderful toys" and ask WHERE DO U GUYS GET ALL THAT WONDERFUL WOOD?
IowaWoodcrafter
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280 posts in 5539 days
#10 posted 01-30-2008 03:38 AM
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
SPalm
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5338 posts in 5345 days
#11 posted 01-30-2008 03:38 AM
Very very fine. This is truly a wonderful piece and your craftsmanship is ourstanding.
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
gizmodyne
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1785 posts in 5553 days
#12 posted 01-30-2008 03:39 AM
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."
sandhill
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2128 posts in 5387 days
#13 posted 01-30-2008 03:52 AM
Wow you have to be busting with pride. Very, very nice!
CedarFreakCarl
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594 posts in 5516 days
#14 posted 01-30-2008 03:54 AM
Thats some box Ryan! Just beautiful. Dazzling!
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
Thos. Angle
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4444 posts in 5425 days
#15 posted 01-30-2008 04:06 AM
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, Jordan Valley, Oregon
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