Dovetailed box with Mr. Murchison

I spent the last of several very enjoyable and productive days instructing Mr. Edward Murchison of Lillington, NC. In a previous workshop  he made the persimmon smoothing plane that he is putting to good use here trimming up the top of the dovetailed box he’s making. This was his first go at hand-cut dovetails as well a frame and panel work which was employed for the lid of the box. He handled it all magnificently. The box is made of cherry with a beautiful lid of quartered cherry and spalted maple and he also carved a sweet little knob made of of lilac.  This was Edward’s introduction to “open pore French polish”  which is none  other than wiped on shellac. It’s a straight forward and very lovely finish, but there is a bit of finesse needed here and there to bring it off well. Edward, it was a real pleasure working with you again!