"Dancer", a Fine Small Box
By David Knipfer


Cherry carcass and legs.   The drawer fronts are a sequentially cut piece of figured maple that has a sweep to the figure that caught my eye.   I talked about those pulls (purpleheart/sterling silver) in my earlier post.

The standoffs for the legs are also curly maple... and quite a learning experience for me to match the tenon shoulder to the curve of the legs.   About drove me batty.

The finish is R&C shellac followed by oils.

The power of the curves to my eye is best seen from a straight-on front view.   Maybe it's even a little over the top?





Despite my nervous-nilly fear of the task... I did have a grand time making those pulls. Here is a fun detail photo showing them with some finish on it...





She stands 23" tall, is 12" wide at the bottom of her curved feet and 6" wide.

This last photo of her puts her small scale into better perspective... sitting quite happily next to a gray headed WW.





All in all I'm pleased with how she turned out.   Doing it over I'd make some changes... but thats all part of growing.


Additional comments...
Thank you all for the kind words... they are food for my spirit.

The drawer sides are Q/S Mahogony.   It is a very stable timber, and the contrasting color allows the dovetails to 'show-off' nicely.

When I was building "Dancer", I figured that using curly maple for the standoffs would be a good thing... sort of tie the eye back into the drawer fronts.

But now that she is done, they did not give me the subtle visual effect I wanted... they stand out too much.

One of the joys and frustrations of building one-of-a-kind pieces, is that I never know what it is going to look like until it's done.   I just have to trust my judgement and go forward as best I can.   In this case... well... there I am.

I would have been better off just using Cherry for them.

As I said, I would change some things.

Perhaps I should have made those buggers out of some 50-year old Aussie Red Cedar?

I work alone in a small basement shop... with very little feedback day to day... so having a chance to share my creations with you all is highlight for me.

I truly enjoy reading all the comments about her... and I've read them many times.

This box has presented an interesting response... some honest and well thought out critiques, which I value more than you may think.

Of course I would love to hear from everyone that she is perfect... but we know she is not.

All the comments on to improve the legs, pulls, standoffs, etc. have been well recieved by me and much appreciated.   You will see some of your ideas in the next "Dancer".

That said... every 'she is beautiful' response lifted my spirit and fired me up to go on to the next creation.

I aspire someday to build a box that is the finest ever made... world best... and knowing that you kind WWA folks are hanging out there for me to show her to is a very nice thing to know.

"Dancer"... for all her flaws... is not an inexpensive little box... and when I show her in my booth next weekend folks will surely ask... "Why so Much?"

I will tell them honestly... as my friend Trisha stated so well... "For the person whom She stirs their soul, She is priceless."

Thank you all for looking at her and giving me your honest comments.

Is this a great place to hang out or what?

Thanks for looking.




Enjoy

Knipfer



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