I made this box mostly to test a border pattern, because sometimes that’s reason enough. I drew the design in LightBurn and burned it into the sides with the laser. It felt like the right kind of detail, small, repetitive, and very border-like.
The wood came from the mystery stack. The lid and feet are cut from the same piece of spalted something, so at least they match. The tongue that registers the lid is walnut. It didn’t have to be, but I think it’s rich color adds some impact to the inside.
The box measures 6.25" × 3.125" × 3.375" tall. The joinery is basic box joints, cut on the table saw. Not fussy, just solid. Inside, there’s a removable suede insert, dark green, because a soft interior feels better, even if no one asks for it.
A coat of shellac warmed up the grain, and the topcoat is satin lacquer: durable, and just glossy enough to deepen the color.
If I make another, I’ll probably use a higher line rate (LPI) so the background comes out flatter. When I tested it, I liked the texture, but it does make the pattern a little harder to read. Now that I know the border works, maybe I’ll start finding more opportunities to add them.