GIFT BOX: EYE OF HORUS

With Christmas coming, 'tis time to make another present. This one is for my Youngest Son. Since I already had a perfect top for a decorative box, I decided to use it. Below is a link to show how I did the inlay for the Eye Of Horus. This EYE is also a tattoo on my son's wrist. He is also the one who gifted me the box of hardwood cut-offs I used to both make the eye and decorate this box. Kind of apropos that this should be his gift, huh?

THIS IS HOW I DID THE INLAY FOR THE COVER

From the box of hardwood cut-offs, I ripped 3/8" pieces to use for the design. I used 3/4" pine for the base and 1/4" plywood to which I glued the cut-offs.

The tools and supplies I used are pictured above.

Mostly, I work from an idea in my head, but for this Instructable, I jotted down my idea to give you a visual reference. I wanted to create a faux brick look using the hardwoods which I ripped down to 3/8" thick pieces.

I know the top of the cover was made of oak. I'm not sure if the sides are zebra wood or something else. Anyway, I ripped down equally wide pieces, mitered the corners, glued and added bamboo skewers as dowels to secure the sides to the Eye of Horus top. Once the glue dried, I trimmed the skewers flush and sanded.

I didn't want to miter the corners of the sides. I ripped a piece of purple heart into 1" squares, keeping track of what I was doing by marking the pieces with chalk. Then I routed a rabbet just a skosh deeper than the thickness of the sides which would be about 5/8" thick when completed.

I printed a picture of a brick wall which I cut and glued to each 1/4" side to act as a guide for placing the faux bricks. I used one of the hardwood dowels to add a bit of pizazz to the front and back, capturing the shape of Horus' pupil. Then using a combination of hand saws, scroll saw, and bench sander I cut and fit the pieces in place, trying to vary the woods adjacent to each other as best I could. Where there were tiny gaps I used shims of pine for the bright contrast in an attempt to match the artisanry of the stonemasons who would fill in the chinks as they built.

I really enjoyed this part of fitting everything together and watching the design unfold. It took me several days working a few hours a day. I was very liberal with the glue and gave it plenty of time to dry.

I used Tung Oil on the sides and corner posts which brought out the beauty of the hardwoods. I stained the base with golden pecan. That's pee KAHN, not pee can, in case you're interested.

Before finishing I dry fit everything. Then I did the finishing, then glued and assembled. I will hit it all with spray lacquer, but for now, I'd say it's complete. I think my Youngest will enjoy what I've done with the gift of hardwoods he gave me.

I hope you enjoyed this build and got something out of it. All comments appreciated, all questions answered. By the way, that's Pixie. She likes to keep me company sometimes when I work. That's her "ready-to-go-in' look on her face.

KJ