There is a heatwave in Northwest Arkansas, and the AC in the shop is having trouble keeping up. As an alternate to keep my hands busy, I'm finishing a few remnants from earlier projects in the finish area (one end of the house).
In days past one could tell the species of wood being cut by the sound of the axe, even at a distance through the forest. Not so, now, so we go to more extreme efforts to get folks acquainted with the beauty and diversity of our native woods.
I sign the names of the woods used in making my small inlaid boxes on the underside, helping folks now and in future generations to thus know that the woods have taken part in the creation as much as I.
Each box is a collection of natural woods in natural colors and a gift to subsequent generations.
It's time to sign boxes.
Make, fix and create...
Make, fix and create.
A simple box may have four sides and a top and bottom but are things really all that simple? There are a huge range of techniques involved as suggested by my students as they exercise their own creative inclinations. I will have a three day class in October.
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.
Make, fix and create...
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.
Make, fix and create...
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
Make, fix and create...
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.
Make, fix and create...
"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
Make, fix and create...
Today in the small metals building at ESSA I made a box hinge, proving to myself I could make one.
You could, too.
Make, fix and create...
This morning I was informed that my youtube site https://www.youtube.com/@MrDougStowe had reached the threshold for receiving advertising revenue. Please subscribe. The videos are from my own shop, and include the three DVD's produced by Taunton Press about box making, rustic furniture and making small cabinets.
Make, fix and create...
