Most folks don't want to pay for "Solid Wood" furniture, they just think they do. I made a Curly Cherry Jewelry box for my wife, with Black Walnut trays. Every portion of the box was hand made. Much of the trim was formed with Molding Plans, and some of the details were shaped by hand with free form in mind. I took the pics of the box to work to share with a friend who had asked about the progress on the project regularly, and someone dipping into the conversation wanted one "Just Like It" asked for a quote. I told them that I really didn't do work for others any longer, it just didn't work for me, but thanks for the vote of appreciation for my work.
"Seriously, I really want one like that for my wife for a gift, what would it cost me for you to make it?"
"I spent two weeks on this one, and the materials are far from cheap, I could do it for about $250."
He nearly stroked out. "I can buy beautiful boxes all day long at walmart for less than $50."
I told him that the highly figured Curly Cherry Board I used for the project was $85 alone. That was before I began to lay out my plan, ran that board thru my planer, or made one cut. The black walnut came from a LOG. I processed that into the planks, dried them, and chose the best of the bunch. I had HOURS of labor and hand work in the project. It sounds like what your wife needs IS a Walmart Jewelry box... since you don't appreciate custom work.
You won't find a highly figured solid Curly Cherry Box at Walmart.
I got the same reaction several months later over a Lacewood box I made for Miss Tina. I was showing it to another friend at work, this time the actual box. Another project, that took hours to complete. She loved the box and wanted to know if I could make one for HER. I told her for HER I would, but the lacewood was costly, and the hinges were $35 per pair. I would do it for $100. I could probably have it done in a week or so, working in the off hours. "Fine," she said. Her sister was listening in and threw a fit. "I could buy ten of those at Kmart for $100."
"Then you need to stick to Kmart boxes." My friend told her sister. "You know nothing about quality." I found out later that she had a special purpose in mind for the little box. She wanted to keep her keepsakes of her Father, who had just passed, in that box. I was touched.
She loved her box when it was done.
I made cradles for my grandchildren. This one was Brazilian Cherry, Mahogany, and Birdseye Maple. A month in the making. Several people asked if I would make one for them. I declined. Heirloom projects for family. I have made three. For the three kids that have grandkids so far. The basket can be removed from the pendulum legs by unscrewing the pivot points and knocking out the pins on the spreader bar. Then it can be stored in the closet until the next child comes along.
Cherished by the family. The oldest daughter stores stuffed collectable toys in this one. The Son stored his away until the next child came along. His was Ash and Black Walnut. Miss T made the mattress and bumper pads, as well as the linens and blankets. I was asked to make one for a friend of the family. I said I would do it for the cost of the materials. They didn't want to pay for the cost when they found what real wood cost. "Can you just use plywood and 2x4s?"
Walmart.
