James’ PurpleHeart Keepsake Box

This keepsake box was built for a friend who loves the color purple and also loves boxes. She is an avid collector of stones and crystals and wanted a place to store her pieces.

The main box is built with purpleheart wood and through dovetail joinery and a rabbeted in bottom of tiger maple. The top is a modified raised panel door construction, with purpleheart stiles and rails, and a tiger maple panel. After the top was glued on, the lid was cut off from the box. Then attached with hidden Soss brand hinges. The trays inside are tiger maple and are built with finger joints.

The entire project was sanded to 400 grit, then finished with three coats of spray lacquer. It was also sanded down to 2000 grit between coats.