Keepsake Box For A Sailboat Captain
This is a good example of the type of projects that I do for my customers. Typically, they will provide a reference photograph and a design request for a gift. In this case a woman wanted to give her husband, an avid sailor, a keepsake box as a gift. She wanted an image of their sailboat on the lid. She provided the attached photo as a guide. The box that I made from walnut has an upper compartment and a drawer for storage of small items and mementos of their sailing adventures. The interior portion of the lid is created from book matched walnut veneers My goal is not to provide an exact duplicate of the photograph, but rather an impression of the subject in wood, with the colors and grains of the wood inlays providing an impression of the subject that elicits the emotions associated with the subject. Consequently, the design phase of the project is conducted as a dialogue and iterative process until I am sure I understand the requirements for the project.
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I am a retired physician who makes jewelry, keepsake, memorial, and decorative boxes that are typically commissioned by people who wish to give them as gifts. I have been doing this for several years, but have focused on working with exotic hardwoods and more intricate designs since I retired about three years ago. While there are a lot of woodworkers who enjoy making small boxes, I believe that I have been able to differentiate myself from them because I have developed my marquetry skills and now do almost all my decorative and inlay work with a double bevel technique that I learned from the artisan David Marks.
I work alone and handcraft every item to meet the unique specifications of my customers. Typically, they provide me with a reference image and a design request. I then execute the project in about 2 to 3 weeks, spending about an equal amount of time on the construction and finishing of the work. A typical example of this is provided in my project entitled “Keepsake Box for Sailboat Captain.” In addition, I make some of my own designs that I sell. The butterfly marquetry jewelry box project is a good example of this.
My goal is to have the joy of engaging in my hobby while recovering the cost of my materials while have a bit extra to add a few new tools. But, most importantly, I want to be able to provide a unique prized decorative box that fills a special need.
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