Day 5 at ESSA

White oak tine

This is my last day of Scandinavian Box making at ESSA and it has been a delight to spend time with students who have such an interest in growth. Each has done good work. I have also had some time to do some box making on my own,  preparing me mentally for teaching Scandinavian Bent wood boxes  as a weekend class at Marc Adams School of Woodworking June 20-21.

Traditional Scandinavian bent wood boxes, unlike Shaker boxes, came in many styles and designs worked out by individual craftsmen in villages throughout northern Europe.

Today  we will finish our projects, clean up the shop, reflect on what we have learned, and carry home the things we have made. The true value of the student's work is not in the object made, but in the student. The box shown above is one I made illustrating a latch design which locks with a pin through the handle. Quite effective and consistent with tradition.

The word tine in Norwegian means cheese box, tying these well crafted and beautiful objects to their humble origins.

Make, fix and create...