INCRA :: Perry's Tool Zone :: A Box Fit for a King (and Queen)

- A BOX FIT FOR A FUTURE KING (AND QUEEN) -

For many of us, Friday, April 29, 2011 was just another day at work pushing papers around the office, or making sure that the machinery hummed in the plant. But on the other side of the Big Pond, it was a day of celebration with street parties and other festivities to honor the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, the future King and Queen of England.
While many joined the throngs of people on the streets of
London hoping to catch a fleeting glimpse of the procession, it was only a select few that were honored with an opportunity to participate in the Royal Event.

One such participant is Northern Ireland Craftsman and Incra enthusiast, Ian Hawthorne.

Ian was commissioned by an International Company to design and build a gift box for the Royal couple and until the 28th, was duty bound to keep the project under wraps. “We were chosen to make this unique presentation box because our attitude to crafting perfection, with precision and care, reflects our customer’s own approach to making their products. I am absolutely thrilled to have created this commemorative gift
box,” continues Ian, “and wish the happy couple all the very best in their future lives together.”

The “Chocolate Box” as Ian referred to it, is made from native Sycamore and features two lift out trays that are lined in a fine grained Lamb Nappa. It’s hard to imagine that someone might actually put chocolate in a box this beautiful, but the 12 rounded recesses in each tray look perfect for a chocolate mint. The front of each tray is inlayed with a simple but elegant pattern that is a perfect representation of the crown.

The top of the box is veneered with six pieces
of Ripple Sycamore and then inlayed with the
Royal Monogram.

Ian’s business, Hawthorne Crafts, was started in 2002 and is based out of Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, where he and his wife quietly go about the business of building some very high quality keepsake boxes. He added his first Incra Fence System in 2003 and has since upgraded his equipment to include the LS Positioner, the Miter1000SE, the Incra/Jessem Mast-R-Lift II and a collection of Incra Rules. His Royal Wedding box is a perfect example of the culmination of quality skills and quality tools.

You can see a slide show that chronicles the construction of Ian’s Royal Wedding Box here. I counted 18 Incra sightings in the slide show, but of course it is really all about the box! And be sure to check out Ian’s Incra Gallery page for even more fine examples of his work.

Ian offers a selection of custom made hardware and is offering a 10% discount to customers who mention INCRA in their emailed request. To take advantage of the discount contact ian@hawthornecrafts.com and by all means visit his website at www.hawthornecrafts.com.

Keep us posted on your unique shop layout or any special project you may be working on by dropping me an email: perry@incra.com.

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