I was recently volunteering for a youth outreach teaching a small side table class and another volunteer saw a picture of the first wedding box I made for my sister-in-law. As it happens her son is getting married in Sept., and she asked if I could make her one. This one was made from plywood with ice birch, steamed etimoe, and dyed poplar veneers. The edge banding is wenge. I used the same motif as the first one and also the same locks. One lock is engraved with birds and flowers to signify good wishes and happiness, the other is engraved with the Chinese characters which translate to "Love for All Seasons". I had the butterfly style hinges from the last one but they were so cheap I didn't want to use them again so I found a pair of old brass hinges I had around and cleaned them up a little but left some of the patina on them so they would match the locks better.
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
Beautiful work as always. I love how you used the contrasting colors and the rose with the rings is not just beautiful, but a very nice touch. I have always loved making boxes and your beautiful box just makes me smile. What marquetry technique do you use? Knife, double bevel, Chevy, scroll saw, etc.? Have you received formal training with your marquetry? I want to start including marquetry in my work and I was just curious what’s your technique. You do beautiful work!!
Thanks for all the nice comments, Madburg the hardware come from Amazon but it I believe it's something you probably would find on AliExpress, inexpensive Chinese hardware, but as it's really more decorative and not meant to keep someone out so it was fine. You have done some beautiful Asian style boxes do you have a good source for your hardware? Steve G. the marquetry was done on a chevolet, and yes, I have taken classes from Marc Adams at his School using a scroll saw and Patrick Edwards at the same school on the chevolet. I would say you can find videos on using the scroll saw relatively easy and can get up and running pretty fast, but my buddy Paul (shipwright) would disagree and say get or make yourself a chevolet first. Besides a laser cutter and don't think I could get as accurate of cuts as the chevolet. This was a relatively simple picture, when you get into small cuts that scroll saw gets mighty tricky. Then again there is always the knife :)
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
Hi Paul - I get just about everything off AliExpress. Oh so very cheap and very often free postage. Many 'shops' sell exactly the same thing so have have to look carefully to see who's the cheapest and what the postage is. You also need to be creative with the title of what you are searching for - box hardwear, antique hinges, locks etc.etc all could come up with the same things. If things don't arrive by a certain date you get a refund, you can also return goods free of charge. They have got much better over the years and things arrive much quicker than they used to do. I don't use Amazon at all as they are much more expensive than Ali for identical items that they get from China in the first place!! Happy shopping!!
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