Karel Groeneweg, Rockingham, WA

From The Forest To The Sea
Jarrah burl, sheoak, figured myrtle
318 x 200 x 95mm h

My box is intended principally to be a jewellery box, the jarrah represents the forest and the paua shell the sea. However there is another link with the forest and the sea. The jarrah used was recycled from Penguin Island, Shoalwater, Rockingham WA, when CALM (Conservation and Land Management) now called DEC (Department of Environment and Conservation) repaired the boardwalk on Penguin Island in 2006. I salvaged some of the jarrah with the assistance of friends working as volunteers on the island, we are members of the Rockingham Woodworkers Club. The jarrah burl was purchased and sliced in Pinjarra WA, the Paua shell from Australian Mother of Pearl Co.
There is also a historical link with Rockingham and the forest in Jarrahdale WA. Timber was brought by rail to Rockingham (37KM) and shipped to ports around the world in sailing vessels. I am a member of the Jarrahdale Heritage Society and live in Rockingham.

Method of Construction:
I used a deep corner lap joint in the box body, leaving a little end grain on the sides. I cut the joint on the router table. The Paua (1mm) is glued with epoxy into the inlay strips (3-4mm) and the strips glued with Aquadhere Exterior into a rebate cut into the lid edge strips, which are then mitred and glued together. A shoulder left in the inside edge supports the jarrah burl (3-4mm thick), the burl is prepared and glued in. The lid outer edge is rebated and fitted into the box body to reduce the thickness of the outer edge. On the inside I have glued figured myrtle (Gunns Veneer) to add support to the burl and given it a frame of sheoak.
The bottom is prepared and glued on, the box is sanded and the lid and bottom edges are routed all around. The lid is cut off, all edges cleaned up, the tray and its support inside the box are prepared and glued. After fine sanding (400), sanding sealer is applied and 2 coats of Dark Restoring and New Timber Polish (Gilly Stephenson) applied, the hinges and box stay are fitted and then two coats of Carnuaba Wax (Gilly Stephenson) applied.
The interior trim is fitted and the box is then complete.

Photos: Karel Groeneweg