Pocket boxes

 

In my quest to finish unfinished projects, I've applied Danish oil to "pocket boxes" from  my  2016 book Tiny Boxes. If you want to make them yourself, the instructions are included in the book. https://amzn.to/4kaS23V

These tiny boxes have magnetic closure on the lids. They close with a slight pop and stay closed in the shirt pocket. Some are cherry and inlaid with Arkansas hardwood. Others are maple and have a squiggle pattern made with veneers.

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Corner irons...

I am trying to finish up a few earlier projects. My "Tribute to John Ruskin" was published in 2003, leaving extra boxes unfinished. Now they almost are, so they can be coated with Danish oil and sold. 

These include corner irons fabricated from the old type of metal banding that used to bundle bails of wood and other commodities. Even that source of steel is a thing of the past being replaced by plastic banding for which I've found little use.

T'he corner irons are attached with tiny brass nails to strengthen the mitered corners of this sliding top forever box.

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Paintable Tine...

Paintable Scandinavian bentwood box. Unfinished bent elm, signed by the maker. 

Have an urge to do rosemaling, and touch base with your Norwegian heritage? This box, on the bicentennial of arrival of Norwegians to America will help. Tine boxes have been used to commemorate special events and decorated gaily. Tine means cheese box suggesting its humble origins, and tiner are as much a part of Norway as sweaters are in winter... or any other part of the year. A one of a kind box. Decorate it yourself. The lift-off lid latches in place. 

For sale on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4310583901/paintable-norwegian-style-box

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Making a box for John Ruskin

Back in December 2003 I published an article in Woodwork Magazine about making a tribute to John Ruskin. Made of white oak and hinged with shop made hinges it was kept along with parts enough to make another one. I completed the hinges today from steel strapping, and so the second one can be completed.

I miss Woodwork Magazine which went out of business in the intervening years. It allowed the writer to go deeper into the story than just how it was made, and they published my first article on Educational Sloyd, reawakening our country to the hidden value of manual arts training.

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Pen boxes!

I've placed pen boxes for sale on Etsy that I made for my book "Tiny Boxes," published by Taunton Press. Several colors of wood are available, but only for a short time.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/dougstowe/

Why boxes?

Wooden boxes are one of the best ways to learn basic woodworking. In a few short hours, you can make boxes for gifts or to sell that may be treasured for a lifetime. Whether you are a beginning woodworker or have years of experience, the things you learn from making boxes will advance all your woodworking skills, leading to greater accuracy and creativity in every woodworking project, but much more:

This is from Felix Adler, writing in support of manual training in the late 1800's:

"Let the task assigned be, for instance, the making of a wooden box. The first point to be gained is to attract the attention of the pupil to the task. A wooden box is interesting to a child, hence this first point will be gained. Lethargy is overcome, attention is aroused. Next, it is important to keep-the attention fixed on the task: thus only can tenacity of purpose be cultivated. Manual training enables us to keep the attention of the child fixed upon the object of study, because the latter is concrete. Furthermore, the variety of occupations which enter into the making of the box constantly refreshes this interest after it has once been started. The wood must be sawed to line. The boards must be carefully planed and smoothed. The joints must be worked out and fitted. The lid must be attached with hinges. The box must be painted or varnished. Here is a sequence of means leading to an end, a series of operations all pointing to a final object to be gained, to be created. Again, each of these becomes in turn and for the time being a secondary end; and the pupil thus learns, in an elementary way, the lesson of subordinating minor ends to a major end. And, when finally the task is done, when the box stands before the boy's eyes a complete whole, a serviceable thing, sightly to the eyes, well-adapted to its uses, with what a glow of triumph does he contemplate his work! The pleasure of achievement now comes in to crown his labor; and this sense of achievement, in connection with the work done, leaves in his mind a pleasant after-taste, which will stimulate him to similar work in the future. The child that has once acquired, in connection with the making of a box, the habits just described, has begun to master the secret of a strong will, and will be able to apply the same habits in other directions and on other occasions." — Felix Adler

I would like to introduce my readers to boxmaking101.com

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