About the Woods
and How to Care for Your Box
Many people are curious as to the background and origin of the particular woods I use for my handmade wooden jewelry boxes. To read more about the specific woods, keep reading below.
Others ask how I know which pieces to use. The most exciting part of my job is working with the woods. Every single piece of wood I've ever touched is truly unique in its own beauty; and I can never tell exactly what a particular piece of wood is going to reveal until I cut into it. To me, that's when the magic happens; it's like opening a present and getting to see what's inside. Then I get to figure out how that piece can be used to best express its beauty.
Here are a few of my most-often asked questions:
(....this page is still under construction, check back soon for updates)
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I care for my box? The only maintenance required for taking care of your box is to use a light amount of lemon oil whenever you feel it needs it. Even in the extremely dry climate in Colorado, where I live and create the boxes, the boxes only need an occasional oiling.
- What woods do you use? I use a variety of woods for my boxes, to appeal to different tastes.
The main body of the boxes are made of one of the following:
- Bubinga: Bubinga is one of my most popular woods, due to its rich, deep reddish hues. It originates in West Africa and is a used for fine woodworking; it is also the wood that Lexus uses as paneling in its luxury cars.
- Birdseye Maple: Birdseye is one of the rarest woods on the planet. It is characterized by small, swirling "eyes" that disrupt the grain of the wood. It can occur in various types of wood, not just maple; and nobody knows why it occurs. Although it's similar to burl, it is not believed to be caused by fungi or irregular growths; but the cause remains a mystery.
The accents are made of one of the following:
- Spalted Maple Burl: Spalted Burl is, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful wood in existence. It is caused due to irregular growth and fungi in trees; but the result is stunning. The irregular lines often look as if they are drawn on with ink; and no two patterns are ever the same. This is what I use for the fronts of the drawers, or as decorative inserts.
PLEASE NOTE: Sadly Steve has passed away, so these boxes are no longer available.
We are in the process of taking this site down; thank you to all of his customers, we hope you treasure your jewelry box forever.
Thank you,
The Smith Family
Testimonials
I purchased one of your Bubinga and Maple boxes about 4 years ago and still think it's as beautiful as the day I bought it. The craftsmanship is superb and leaves nothing to be desired. My wife loves the flexibility of it and everyone who sees it thinks it is simply stunning. Thanks so much for such a wonderful product.
~ Andy
Thank you, Steve, for the beautiful jewelry box. It is gorgeous and I know that my daughter will love it. We hope it will be an heirloom piece for her to remember her graduation day from med school. Hopefully we will do business again in two years when my other daughter finishes her grad degree. Sincerely yours,
~ Georgia
Just to let you know that my jewelry box arrived
and it is stunning, I really love it! I looked at hundreds of them including
store-bought (and probably Chinese-made), Amish/Shaker, and other hand-mades,
and yours were the most beautiful (and the most versatile, as none of the
others had adjustible drawer dividers).
Thanks for the beautiful jewelry box, and I'm
glad my holiday purchase was Made in the USA.
~ Michelle
Hi Steve, I just wanted to tell you
that I have been having so much fun with my beautiful box, putting everything
in one place (at last) and standing in front of it with the doors and a drawer
open, admiring both the box and my lovely pieces. It sits in a place of
honour in my bedroom; and has been much admired by
my friends. Keep up the good work!
Kind regards,
~ Pam