The Elizabeth Keepsake Box

The Elizabeth Keepsake Box is a mix of a Birch body construction, with Sapele drawer fronts, and Mahogany legs.

A dear friend of mine, who travels the world and collects postage memorabilia from abroad, found themselves staring down the barrel of their own nuptials. As one does, they invited their closest friends and family to celebrate with them, with the stipulation that no one bring gifts. I had the high honor of being a key person in the wedding party - the kind responsible for the rings, and the various needs of a person getting ready to say “I do.” A high honor, and highly flattering.

There are a small handful of people in this world who are as wonderful as my friend here, and though they would likely argue that traveling to the coast and being a right hand for a few days was a gift in and of itself, I felt like I had more gift to give.

See, we live in a fast production, fast consumption, fast disposition world, where single-use everything is the norm. Disposable. My friend does not operate that way, universally, and the things that they keep close to heart are handmade, nostalgic, and personal. And while memories can be those very things, I choose to think that the tidbits and tchotchkes that embody our memories deserve a special place to live in our homes. Thus, a keepsake box.

I started with a simple Birch body construction - essentially a box on its side. The show face, akin to the top, would be left empty, as the decoration and statement would come later with the Sapele drawer fronts, and the back - a rabbet to accept a modest panel.

The drawer bodies are made from birch as well - it’s stable and a joy to work with. Not unlike my friend. However, they’re dressed with Sapele burl veneer that has complex grain patterns, sometimes subtle sometimes bold color variations, and by its nature, can sometimes be surprising as to how it challenges you. Not unlike my friend.

Spacing the drawers can feel like a mystery operation, but the simplest way to find spacing is by using playing cards, I have found. Stack the drawers on top of each other in the opening to consolidate the gaps to the top of the drawers (or sides) and the upper limit of the frame (or side of the frame). That gap then needs to be filled with the requisite number of playing cards such that they are flush, but not binding. Then, split those cards evenly amongst the number of gaps, frame to drawers - generally, drawers + 1.

From there, I chose a hardwareless drawer runner made of the same thin birch stock used to make the drawers - one length attached to the side of the drawer, and another attached to the wall of the body for it to run on. When sanded and finished smooth, these small drawers won’t bear enough weight to compromise the joint, which is long-grain to long-grain, or bind.

The Mahogany legs are not a bolt on, but a structural component. Using a rabbeting bit, I ran with the grain to create a 90-degree ledge and sidewall to hug each mitered body corner. With enough material below that ledge, I tapered the legs by hand on two faces. The result can give the impression of a miniature dresser, which I found to be novel.

Finishing was a simple grit ladder up through 320, and three coats of Tung Oil. Once cured, it could be packed away safely for air travel.

To a long and happy life for my friend and their spouse. I hope they find amazing mementos to keep safe in their Elizabeth Keepsake Box.