Inspiration for a new piece comes from a variety of sources, from classic cabinets
and furniture, to architectural forms such as buildings and bridges. The function
of the jewelry box or cabinet plays a significant roll in the development
of the form.
Sketching tends to solidify this interplay between form and function.
When an idea for the new box firms up, I'll make a model so I can see the concept in three dimensions. I like to use poplar wood for the model since the wood is easy to work and I can fit the various parts together without glue, using loose tenons.
From that point, the properties of the wood (grain, color, texture) influence the process. The final result will always reflect the properties of the woods used.
Each cabinet or jewelry box is joined and fitted using traditional cabinet-making techniques (mortise and tenon, dovetail, spline, bridle, and rabbet joints). Frame and panel construction (floating panel) is used both for aesthetics and where wood movement is a factor. I also like to use bent laminations in my work, for gracefully curved doors and drawer fronts. This construction allows for grain continuity.
To achieve a nicely finished surface that is pleasing to the touch and reveals the beauty of the wood, I use an oil/varnish mixture, wet sanded to a high satin finish and, finally, wax.
The visual balance is very important and I work to maintain a feeling of stability in the piece. I find great satisfaction in creating a piece that is both calming and visually stimulating. My jewelry boxes and cabinets are one of a kind pieces which I don't reproduce. While some pieces are similar, each one is unique. I devote my energy exclusively to each work until it is completed.
I will update my website when new work is completed. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you for visiting, Tom Crystal