Many woodworkers find it difficult to discard small leftover parts and cut-offs. Some might call these pieces “scraps”, but to box makers these are the stock from which treasured keepsakes are made. This class will introduce many of the basics of making small decorative boxes. For the first several projects, students will all be using the same box design as they learn many of the basic box making techniques. Each of these designs will have some variations that students can choose from to customize their boxes.
Following the first few days of design and construction basics, students will be able to start designing and making boxes of their own unique design.

Additional techniques and processes will gradually be introduced and demonstrated. Students may incorporate into their own designs throughout the rest of the week. Several samples of the classical design proportions will be displayed, and students will be shown how to calculate specific box sizes using these proportions: Golden rectangle, double cube, root of two and 1:2:3. Students are encouraged to bring some of their own wood (domestic woods only) that can be used when making boxes of their design. Some of the techniques to be demonstrated and used by students will include lift off lids, hinged lids, mitered corners, finger joint corners, 3-corner grain match, floating panel tops and bottoms, story sticks and corner treatment such as: miter keys, dowels, rods, hidden splines. Various jigs and fixtures will be used in the process of making small decorative boxes. As each jig or fixture is introduced and used, it will be explained and demonstrated.