maple box

kol -

nice work - as usual

Classy. Are the twigs inlaid? burned in ,or painted on?

Over all size?

Harry, The twigs are inlaid. I posted a new pic to show a somewhat closer view and details. The diminsions are 11.5D X 13.5W X 8H

Nice concept, but for me it's got a few design issues.

The butterfly keys are a separate and distinct (and competing) feature from the marquetry.

Purely my $.02, but I thought that the piece would have been more coherant with one or the other, but not both.

Still very nice. Proof that size does not matte
As long as the person that has it likes it .. design is secondary.

I guess I don't know what's wrong with the design. The dovetail keyed miters and the bowties are structural and are the joinery to the box. The bowties go in within 1/8" of the total thickness. The dovetails keep the miters together. I used the same material as the box to keep the tone light. It would definately contrast if they were out of a dark wood. The branches (not twigs, you have to think small scale) are supposed to mimic the fall when the leaves fall off the trees. That's why there's so few and they are colored. Oh well, maybe my next design will be more to par, whatever that is.

I like the design.The strength of the design is the first thing that catches my eye. Not that I think that takes away from the inlay in any shape or form. Excellent workmanship!

kol, I understand what Matt is getting at, it was my first impression as well. The final look would be cleaner if some sort of hidden joinery was used. The keys compete with the leaves, in my opinion, even though you took the step of using the same wood. Did you use face grain or end grain? Please know this is not very critical, the piece is gorgeous and a true testament to your expertise and showmanship. Inlay is incredible.

Absolutely.

No disrespect was meant. I like the keys, I love the inlay. Just on a personal level I thought that the two (very well executed!) details were more in competition with eachother than acting in harmony.

It's a beautiful box, to be sure.

No intent was meant to bruise you, sir. It was simply a thought to perhaps give you an alternate aesthetic consideration.

Matt,
I'm not offended at all. In fact if more people were more critical it would be easier to make things that were "purchasable".It seems to me that people are afraid to voice their opinions these days. You can't bruise my ego, I do that myself. I will definately keep it in consideration on the next project and I really appreciate the feedback. I am going to start a new project today. It will take a long time to make but when it's done I hope to get the same positively negative feedbacks. That's the only way I will get better at design and building.

Gotcha.

In that spirit, if faced with the choice again, consider the neatest, cleanest (read: less is more) set of options before you. If the piece is to sport marquetry then let the form act as a clean and unadorned canvas for the artwork.

Conversely, if the piece is to be a showcase for ornamental joinery, let that element speak without anything competing for attention.

It really comes down to the 'voice' that you wish the piece to speak with. Let that single voice come through clearly and cleanly for the maximum impact for the viewer (and hopeful buyer!).

If you want a duet of voices to speak then that works best on large-format pieces (credenzas, large cabinets, etc). The extra real estate makes all the difference.

Anyway, that's my mileage. Others' is free to vary.

Kol,
I think that the side dovetails, match up nice with the top bow-ties. If you have the same application on the sides and the top, it flows together more. Also I really like the leather top. It's different, but gives the box more style. Way to go, very nice craftsmanship!!!

I love your box! I'm getting into inlay myself, and looking at your work inspires me to pursue it even more. Is there anyway you could post a picture of the inside.