Anna's jewellery box

Anna asked me if Matt could make a jewellery box that was shaped like a pirate chest, for her daughter's birthday in November. She wanted to have some little secret compartments in it so Matt has designed this box which is made from cedar.

The lid lifts to reveal 2 trays that swing out and are attached to another larger tray. This whole thing lifts out to reveal another compartment underneath.

Then the drawer at the bottom is large enough to hold all her little keepsakes. The trays and drawer will be lined with royal blue felt and the box is finished with brass trim. As at the date of this post, he is still finishing off outside of the box to make sure it is smooth and the finish is nice and glossy. Plus Anna has asked that he engrave her daughter's name on the bottom. I need to check spelling with her first but this will be done.

It will be ready for Anna to take home in about a week. I hope her little girl just loves it.

The "Egyptian" Platter

I have called this the Egyptian platter because it looks to me like something you would find in an Egyptian tomb. It is made from strips of cedar and pine with a silky oak trim and silky oak legs.

Matt has given in many coats of clear gloss lacquer so it would make a nice fruit bowl or bread platter.

It is for sale at Fusspots Cafe for $50.

The Marquetry Teapot Stand

This is the front of the second teapot stand Matt has made. The style is called Marquetry and he used cedar, silky oak, pine and old cupboard drawers (aka recycled timber).

He decided to make it reversable so here is side 2. You will see he has used knots in the timber so that it looks like a face in the middle, or an owl.

This was on the table at Fusspots for only 2.5 days, priced ar $75 and was sold to a local lady as a gift for her husband.

The cedar chest with brass trim

This is a 2 drawer cedar jewellery chest with silky oak inlay on the top and finished with decorative brass piano hinges as a trim. The handles are also brass and hand turned by Matthew. It is made from a single log and both drawers are lined with royal blue felt.

This sold for $70 recently at Fusspots.

This is Matt's recent project. Jason Crawford (right), a local lad, asked Matt to make a sign for the family property for his father for a Father's Day gift.

Needless to say both Jason and his Dad Mark, were thrilled with the result.

Mark told me it was the best Father's Day gift he had ever had. Not a bad result.