Last July I became an Uncle for the first time. Elise Anne Phoenix was born to Joel and Lindsay Phoenix July 1 2009, and little did they know that they were going to raise the very rare and endangered Elisaurous. After hearing the great news I thought to myself, “All good dinosaurs need a jewelry box, right?” Thus the design for a new jewelry box began. I entitled this contemporary jewelry box Redwoods on the Coast.
I gathered the inspiration for this piece on a trip that Aimee and I took to the Northern California Coast last fall. Driving along, surrounded by the towering Coastal Redwood trees and the seemingly endless view of the Pacific Ocean, the design became instinctive. I wanted to do something different and challenging. This project met both criteria.
The carcass of the box and the framing for the lid were constructed out of Black Cherry. The “waves” of the ocean panel are Curly Maple selected from a lumberyard in Northern California. I cut the waves out with a #16 round molding plane and then cleaned up any tear out with gooseneck scrapers and sandpaper stuck to the bottom of the #16.
The handle, representing the Coastal Redwoods, is Bubinga. This piece of Bubinga was set aside from a previous project to be used at just the right time. I created the small bead with a scratch stock. I think the piece of Bubinga turned just the right shade of red after the finish was applied.
The bottom panel is Yellow Poplar lined with leather to protect jewelry. The carcass was constructed with through dovetails at the corners. Pinned mortise and tenons hold the frame of the lid together. The pins in the lid are Black Cherry. The curved short sides of the box were designed to facilitate picking up the box with ease. The box is equipped with stop hinges to keep the lid rested at 95 degrees when fully open. The sliding tray, intended to resemble the large carcass it resides in, was designed to hold rings and smaller jewelry. I am not well versed on what jewelry Elisaurous’s wear but I hope it fits in the box!
5 comments:
This is my favorite blog entry!! You are so clever Mr. Hanna ;)
Didn't your parents teach you not to make waves?! Come on man. Get with the current.
But PS For the record, that jewelry box is mad sweet. I think Uncle Clay and Aunt Aimee are going to be the "cool Aunt and Uncle" that convince her to pack up and move West. Hey, already worked on me. And I ain't even related!
That is probably the sweetest jewelry box i know of. That thing is awesome Leonard!
Having a little difficulty relating that sweet, little, red-headed angel to a dinosaur---but her jewelry box is most certainly a beautiful treasure!!! I know...I saw it for real!!! Your work is amazing--that must be why you're still my favorite "Clayasaurus" son-in-law!!
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