Merry Christman Meaghan - Jewelry Box Pics

[Knottscott]

This year's Christmas project is going to my oldest son's girlfriend of ~ 18 months. It's a combination of curly maple, birsdeye maple, hard maple, and padauk. The box style was inspired by a project featured in Wood within the past year, but we changed the dimensions and modifed the center inset. The finish is clear shellac and Formsby's tung oil finish.

There is a problem however...they've broken up 3 times in the past 18 hours! I'm wondering if any of you have faced similar situations, or have suggestions on how best to handle the gift. Quite literally, the finish could stand some curing for a few days...I'm considering let it "harden" for a few extra days just see if the dust settles.

[ChrisD]

Dustmight,

I'm sure a huge part of the reason you made this for her is because she's your son's girlfriend (at least she was when you started working on it ). But if you think she deserves to have it regardless of whether she and your son end up getting back together or not, I think you should give it to her and let her know just what a cool dad you are (or a future father-in-law you'd be)!

One time, my girlfriend (now my wife of 14 years) and I broke up for a couple of months. I later learned that throughout that time she and my mom kept in touch through letters (this was before e-mail and we were hemispheres apart). Much later she showed me my mom's letters. They had so much respect for each other that not even once did I see a reference to ME in any of the letters except for the first one where my mom wrote, "Let's keep this our little secret from you know who."

$0.02 from someone whose son is not quite old enough to have this problem.

Beautiful work, by the way!

[John Hunter]

Very nice!

[LCHIEN]

Dustmight,

I'm sure a huge part of the reason you made this for her is because she's your son's girlfriend (at least she was when you started working on it ). But if you think she deserves to have it regardless of whether she and your son end up getting back together or not, I think you should give it to her and let her know just what a cool dad you are (or a future father-in-law you'd be)!

One time, my girlfriend (now my wife of 14 years) and I broke up for a couple of months. I later learned that throughout that time she and my mom kept in touch through letters (this was before e-mail and we were hemispheres apart). Much later she showed me my mom's letters. They had so much respect for each other that not even once did I see a reference to ME in any of the letters except for the first one where my mom wrote, "Let's keep this our little secret from you know who."

$0.02 from someone whose son is not quite old enough to have this problem.

Beautiful work, by the way!

that's a cool story, Chris.
And a nice box, DM.
if you made it for her bcause she's your son's GF, then wait.
If yo made it for her because whe's been real nice to you and your family, then you might consider giving it to her if your son will not object.

[Larryl]

I won't try to advise you about giving it to your son's girlfriend. But I do want to say that is one nice jewely box. I love the curly maple and the craftmanship is outstanding.

[jackellis]

If you made it for her bcause she's your son's GF, then wait.
If yo made it for her because whe's been real nice to you and your family, then you might consider giving it to her if your son will not object.

I agree with Loring. Who amongst us can forget how easily we fell in and out of love (or was it lust)? If you like the girl for who she is, then give the gift on that basis.

That is a nice piece of work, too.

[Knottscott]

I really appreciate the insights folks. You've given me some things to mull over in the next day or two, then we'll see where they stand on Christmas day. We really were fond of Meaghan and I definitely made it with her in mind, but if they part ways before exchanging gifts this year, I wouldn't want to create an awkward moment by presenting it to her.

We're scheduled to head out of town on Sunday, but I'll try to give an update once a decision's been made.

[hermit]

No advice here for the relationship problem, but I want to say the box is beautiful. The figure is quite fetching!

Todd

[DonHo]

Great looking box. Outstanding work.

DonHo

[chopnhack]

WOW, Dust, great work. I really love the figure of the maple! If she ends up not getting it, I am placing my hat in the ring, send it to me! LOL, all kidding aside I hope all goes well w/ your sons relationship.

[smc331]

The box is beautiful - and the reason it was created is most likely still there. I ran the "giving of the gift" question past Beth (LOML), and we both agree - she should still receive it. (Unless there are other extenuating circumstances!)

Still, it's your call - but I stand firm on it being beautiful work!

[SARGE..g-47]

Very well done and beautiful, DM. I won't give an opinion as to give or not to give. I will say as had already been said that they are 18 years old...

18 years old = ain't gotta clue what they really want at this point of life..

[mater]

Very nice looking jewelry box.

[Knottscott]

Here's where my head is at after 3 hours sleep. After thinking it through all day and night (I worked last night)...as long as getting it to her doesn't present an overly awkward situation, I'm pretty sure Meaghan's going to receive the gift as planned regardless of the outcome of the relationship. We liked her, she hasn't done anything wrong in this situation, it was made with her in mind at every decision point (and trouble spot! ). She's been part of the landscape around here for long enough that I'll miss if she goes....it's been "Meaghan's" jewelry box from the onset, and so it shall remain if at all possible. ...You folks all understand what goes into building something for someone...thoughts of her are in the fibers of the wood. It'd feel a little weird to accept any thanks for it from another recipient!

The box will get my stamp on the bottom, but I think it's wise to leave his mark off it....I get the feeling this pre-Christmas "issue" is in direct response to his actions... he didn't put much sweat equity in to the box anyway!

[SARGE..g-47]

Well thought out and I couldn't agree more. If nothing else.. a honing of skill which will make the next one created even more fine tuned than this shining example.... "Rose's have thorns and silver fountains.. mud"... W. Shakespear