The lid all ready to be glued. When orienting these, I'll put the stack of resawn lumber (in order) on the clamps, and then lay one board forward, the next one backward, etcetera.

This does TWO things for me. It ensures that the glued up panel will not warp (if the "crown" of the grain is all oriented the same way, the panel is more likely to warp over its' width).

As importantly for a custom box such as this is the fact that this orientation produces "book matched" strips on the panel - you will see the effect of this "book matching" later on (if I can take a good photograph of it).

Once again - the "cabinetmaker's triangle" is chalked onto the assembly to aid in re-orienting the boards should they get out of sequence.

Constructed of sugar maple, with walnut splines.

This little guy is the epitome of a knick knack. It can be used almost anywhere: coffee table, mantle, shelf. It doesn't do much. It's small. It can't even hold a movie-on-Lifetime's worth of chocolate. But the brushed steel leaf and black ant handle can definitely hold your attention. And really, isn't that what knick knacks are all about?

• Small knick knack box

• Brushed steel finish

• Hand cut steel leaf with ant

• 6” h X 4” w X 4” d

There are embossed wedding invitations and now embossed wedding presents. The bride and groom’s names and the big date are hidden in the steel leaves with a custom photo album hidden inside. “Oh, we’re registered at Riggo Design.”

• Metal leaf-covered lid

• Names hidden in leaves

• Personalized wedding photo album

• 6” h X 16” w X 16” d

--testimonial-- “It is a stunning work of creativity. Who would have thought that steel could be crafted to look organic?! I am delighted every time I see it, and it always attracts the notice of our guests. Our only problem...five adult children, who would all like to have it someday!”

— Dr. and Mrs. Steven J.

The crosscut blade has been installed in the saw, and the panels cut to length.

In the case of the lid panel, it is cut 1" oversized - (17" instead of 16" in this case). The reason for this will become obvious later in the process.

And that's all that's going to happen on Day 1.

A shot of all the cards (and envies) in the box. Looks so great! =)

Okay, this may be the last #$%&* box I make. They take way too long, and the paper was $8 a sheet.

Here's the lid panel all glued up and clamped.

Note that the "cabinet maker's triangle" has enabled me to quickly and properly align all the strips into the correct orientation.

Also note the time chalked onto the panel. This lets me know when the panel was glued up, and consequently when I can unclamp and work with it. When you've got a few glue-ups on the go at the same time, this is essential.

I will be able to work with the panel in approximately an hour (or 1445 hours, in this example)

(I'm retired military - I think in a 24 hour clock. If you say 2 PM, I have to translate it to 1400 hours for it to make sense to me.)

This is my new craft

Heart-Shape Box!

Left hand side - Japan Fabric

Right hand side - US fabric

more photo , click here:

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11253&id=1000000213248...

This little guy is the epitome of a knick knack. It can be used almost anywhere: coffee table, mantle, shelf. It doesn't do much. It's small. It can't even hold a movie-on-Lifetime's worth of chocolate. But the brushed steel leaf and black ant handle can definitely hold your attention. And really, isn't that what knick knacks are all about?

• Small knick knack box

• Brushed steel finish

• Hand cut steel leaf with ant

• 6” h X 4” w X 4” d

This little guy is the epitome of a knick knack. It can be used almost anywhere: coffee table, mantle, shelf. It doesn't do much. It's small. It can't even hold a movie-on-Lifetime's worth of chocolate. But the brushed steel leaf and black ant handle can definitely hold your attention. And really, isn't that what knick knacks are all about?

• Small knick knack box

• Brushed steel finish

• Hand cut steel leaf with ant

• 6” h X 4” w X 4” d

Here's a handmade box with the matching note cards, which fit inside the box perfectly.

This little guy is the epitome of a knick knack. It can be used almost anywhere: coffee table, mantle, shelf. It doesn't do much. It's small. It can't even hold a movie-on-Lifetime's worth of chocolate. But the brushed steel leaf and black ant handle can definitely hold your attention. And really, isn't that what knick knacks are all about?

• Small knick knack box

• Brushed steel finish

• Hand cut steel leaf with ant

• 6” h X 4” w X 4” d

The lid says, “I’m from Chicago.” The strong steel box says, “I have some stuff. It’s in this box and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep walking.”

• Hand-cut elements

• Brushed and darkened finish

• Removable lid

• 8” d x 11” w x 3” h

This little guy is the epitome of a knick knack. It can be used almost anywhere: coffee table, mantle, shelf. It doesn't do much. It's small. It can't even hold a movie-on-Lifetime's worth of chocolate. But the brushed steel leaf and black ant handle can definitely hold your attention. And really, isn't that what knick knacks are all about?

• Small knick knack box

• Brushed steel finish

• Hand cut steel leaf with ant

• 6” h X 4” w X 4” d

Here are the complete glue ups.

The lid consists of an 8 strip panel, and the box consists of two 3 strip panels, all glued using the same five clamps. (Just don't put glue between the third and fourth pieces!)

Plymouth University diploma box for Casey. Great graduation present. For more info www.hartnackandco.com

Another view of glued strips.

This method is extremely fast, but it does cause significant glue squeeze out - which I don't care about, for reasons which will become obvious later.

www.papersquare.etsy.com <-- see my shop for more paper art

All is ready for the glue up.

I've turned all the strips onto their FORWARD edge - which means that after I apply glue I can just tip them back over and they'll be oriented properly.

Obviously, the last piece doesn't need glue on it - which is why it's sitting at the back of the clamps.

I also have my glue roller ready to go, and the clamp which will go on the top of the panel is already adjusted, and ready to hand. After glue is applied is an extremely poor time to be looking for and adjusting needed clamps.

Another view of the boards being sanded. An extremely light sanding is all it takes to remove any machining marks left over from the planer.

in her world

This little guy is the epitome of a knick knack. It can be used almost anywhere: coffee table, mantle, shelf. It doesn't do much. It's small. It can't even hold a movie-on-Lifetime's worth of chocolate. But the brushed steel leaf and black ant handle can definitely hold your attention. And really, isn't that what knick knacks are all about?

• Small knick knack box

• Brushed steel finish

• Hand cut steel leaf with ant

• 6” h X 4” w X 4” d

Another view of the resawn lumber.

Why do I work in both metric and inches (or Imperial)? I'm a Canadian of a certain age - which means the metric system was introduced when I was around 13 or 14. As a result, I'm equally comfortable in both systems. The gauges on my equipment is sometimes in both scales, and sometime only in one or the other. My rip scale is in metric only - which is why I use metric when setting up rip cuts.

This is my new craft

Heart-Shape Box!

Left hand side - Japan Fabric

Right hand side - US fabric

more photo , click here:

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11253&id=1000000213248...

I made the boxes out of book boards.

Include cut the boards, paper, glue, etc

The paper is chiyogami paper bought from art store

Good looking grain in that wood

The cards that fit in the handmade box for our Stamp Club in June. More details on our blog: www.twohappystampers.blogspot.com

This is the raw lumber for the lid.