Untitled Document

Memory Box Chests

Many years ago I was asked to make a small box to be used as a place to place baby memory items. I was asked to make it look like a treasure chest. I considered construction issues and went to Lee Valley to purchase a set of cove and bead router bits so that I could make interocking slats that could form a solid curved lid. At the time I did not realize how many additional such "Memory Boxes" of that style I would be asked to make. I have made them in vafrious sizes and for all kinds of purposes, though the "memory box" function seems to be the most enduring purpose.

I have a few that I use at Friendly Forest; to hold string and cord, to hold file folders in which I sort my montly bills and invoices awaiting entry into a computer program, a chest to hold napkin rings and napkins, and another that hold special books awaiting time to be read. I did not have any for sale over the past year. Then I started to get requests and I started to make some more.

Essentially, the chest is a box with one domed side. The domed side is cut off and hinged to the main part. I add leather strapping for decorative effect though it is not needed for strength. The straps are made of cow hide and dyed a suitable colour using the aniline dyes I use for various pruposes. I have added low-relief carvings or added decorative effect by laminating different woods and patterned woods into the boards that I use for the box sides.

As arthritis has limited my capacity to do the carving, I have shifted to pyrography to add decoration or other detail to ther boxes. I especially like to add images of plants that live here in this forest land. The natural , and yet abstract character of fallen leaves and ground over plants is an ever-changing kaidescope of colour and images that give inspiration for the decorations. I will add images of the decoration sequence of three custom boxes completed in Novemeber 2013. At another time I might photograph the construction sequence as well and add those images.

# 1. One unit; back, face,left side, right side, left / front angle, right / back angle images

# 2. One unit; back, face,left side, right side, left / front angle, right / back angle images

# 3. One unit; back, face,left side, right side, left / front angle, right / back angle images

Custom "Office in a Box" chest. This was a request for letter size hanging files in a box with Birch and Walnut wood and a leaf frieze . The following images are the chest with the images added with pyrography, the wood was then sealed with several coats of laquer, and then a base coat of transparent yellow aniline dye was added. After that green, orange and red were added and blended. The BearBerry berries are red and the Chokecherries are a mix of red and blue dye colours.

Memory Box Chests
Many years ago I was asked to make a small box to be used as a place to place baby memory items. I was asked to make it look like a treasure chest. I considered construction issues and went to Lee Valley to purchase a set of cove and bead router bits so that I could make interocking slats that could form a solid curved lid. At the time I did not realize how many additional such "Memory Boxes" of that style I would be asked to make. I have made them in vafrious sizes and for all kinds of purposes, though the "memory box" function seems to be the most enduring purpose. I have a few that I use at Friendly Forest; to hold string and cord, to hold file folders in which I sort my montly bills and invoices awaiting entry into a computer program, a chest to hold napkin rings and napkins, and another that hold special books awaiting time to be read. I did not have any for sale over the past year. Then I started to get requests and I started to make some more. Essentially, the chest is a box with one domed side. The domed side is cut off and hinged to the main part. I add leather strapping for decorative effect though it is not needed for strength. The straps are made of cow hide and dyed a suitable colour using the aniline dyes I use for various pruposes. I have added low-relief carvings or added decorative effect by laminating different woods and patterned woods into the boards that I use for the box sides. As arthritis has limited my capacity to do the carving, I have shifted to pyrography to add decoration or other detail to ther boxes. I especially like to add images of plants that live here in this forest land. The natural , and yet abstract character of fallen leaves and ground over plants is an ever-changing kaidescope of colour and images that give inspiration for the decorations. I will add images of the decoration sequence of three custom boxes completed in Novemeber 2013. At another time I might photograph the construction sequence as well and add those images.


# 1. One unit; back, face,left side, right side, left / front angle, right / back angle images


# 2. One unit; back, face,left side, right side, left / front angle, right / back angle images


# 3. One unit; back, face,left side, right side, left / front angle, right / back angle images
Custom "Office in a Box" chest. This was a request for letter size hanging files in a box with Birch and Walnut wood and a leaf frieze . The following images are the chest with the images added with pyrography, the wood was then sealed with several coats of laquer, and then a base coat of transparent yellow aniline dye was added. After that green, orange and red were added and blended. The BearBerry berries are red and the Chokecherries are a mix of red and blue dye colours.