Making a box

Making a box is alot harder than it may seem, especially if it has geometric angles/sides. I had a good amount of help though from a classmate. However I'm quite excited about this project for my screenprinting class.

I plan on transferring the image of my box, to make a dozen or so more, then I'll screenprint an image of my jewelry and logo on the top, inside and bottom of the box.

It's gonna be cooooool.

Here are some process shots. It took me eight samples of the box to get a final perfect fit.

Several samples/prototypes.

Final box and closed!

And it opens, ta-da!

Thanks for reading.
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Going with the grain

So I've been making a rectangular box in my wood survey class at ECU. It's taken awhile, as there are about 12 students in the class and we did all different size boxes and that means the machines are being used at the same time or because of safety issues we need our teacher to help us.

At first I was a little scared of the machines, such as a table saw, miter saw, planer and jointer. The miter saw was especially scary because of the large blade and sound. But I'm getting more comfortable.

It's hard to make a wooden box! Below is a shot of the box glued together and sanded with rough 150 grit paper and then I'll move up. And I still have to make the lid! ack. Wish me luck.
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copper box cont'd

I made decent progress today on my copper box, though a good bit of time was spent sanding it down to be flush with the lid.

Then I sawed out the bottom and top for the box and lid. I got the bottom soldered on and I should finish it before I go on vacation...cross my fingers.
Initially, I sketched prong setting shards of glass however, I'm not sure I want to do that. I've got several other ideas, perhaps doing coral and then adding the glass around the sides, with epoxy.

We'll see, I'm just having fun and learning from this project! Pin It

boxed in

Here is the lid and box L cut outs for my box. When I began sketching and reading up on how to make a box, I changed my mind and decided to begin with a basic and simple box versus my previous idea of a more ornate and complicated box.

It's been, through my experience, that it is best to begin with basic forms in contrast to intricate when learning a new technique and process. As a novice jeweler it's best to begin this way. Pin It

boxes & lockets

In preparation for making my box, I borrowed a great reference book, The Metalsmith's Book of Boxes & Lockets by Tim McCreight.

Tim's books are well written and easy to follow and he provides excellent and diverse examples of pieces. Pin It