Winning at the OC Fair Woodworking competition!

As we told you recently, The Barefoot Woodworker (Randy Mason) entered one of the beautiful Manzanita Jewelry Boxes.   Now for those who aren't local and part of the woodworking community, the woodworking competition is actually quite a prestigious one.  They open it up to everyone in the state of California and it has grown to be something that draws some of the best woodworkers to compete.  Barefoot was honored to be juried into the competition this year for his first attempt at an entry.

And we are so excited to report that, this past Thursday, this jewelry box was awarded a 2nd place Industry Award from Woodworker West magazine.

Congratulations to our very own Barefoot Woodworker on his well deserved win at the Orange County Fair.  We loved this jewelry box and we're ecstatic to hear that so many others did too!

A note from the winner himself: "While this compeitition made me very nervous (largest I've ever entered), and the results made me proud, I would say the biggest prize I won was being able to talk with the judges and learn from them their take on my work.  Hopefully next year I'll be able to learn from it and improve upon it. Fingers crossed" - Barefoot

Islands in motion

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Islands - Finished Jewelry Box!

A one of a kind hand-made, heart-shaped jewelry box.  This custom made, large ring box is turned from a Manzanita burl (number 5 on the wood density scale). This is the only piece I make that starts with a chain saw and ends with a high gloss.

The piece was first turned on a lathe. The natural voids have all been hollowed and then lined in pure silver. The voids were then filled with a resin colored to an off white/ pearlescent to achieve the cloud effect.



The entire piece was then hollowed by hand before finishing.



 
A custom made silver heart with 5 Garnets was then inset into the top.

The Heart

Turned from Manzanita burl (number 5 on wood density scale) Natural voids have been hollowed, inlaid in pure silver and filled with a resin colored to off white/pearlescent

If you put 2 small fists together that's just a smidge bigger than this box....& it took a solid 3 weeks worth of work to turn , inlay & carve.....

This particular one was made for a sweet sixteen and the beautiful garnet encrusted pure silver heart was contracted by Jewelry by Geffre and then inset by me.

I have 6 more SLOWLY in process ranging in size from a small granny smith apple to a large red delicious. In my personal opinion - this is my best work to date.