Six year old Jackson is a dinosaur collector who needed a toy box to store his most valuable specimens. So, for Christmas I made him a toy box with a T. rex on the outside of the lid and a flight of pterodactyls on the inside of the lid. The box measured 16 X 14 X 8 inches and was made of African mahogany. The lid was made of maple burl and the animals were composed of walnut burl, ebony, and holly. The project was completed by inlaying the name Jackson across the front of the box so there would be no mistake about who the dinosaurs belonged to. If your child or grandchild has a special hobby and you're looking for a unique gift, drop me a note and I'll see what I can do to help you create a special surprise.
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
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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Nick Horlings
For Honu Turtle Jewelry Box