Howdy all. I've just started getting seriously into carving/box-making over the last few weeks. Made an alarm-clock box that came out OK, so progressed to a hand-carved magnifying glass handle then a pencil box and am now making a carved table-top glasses case with a curved, (bent), lid.
Great fun, I love it. So far, while starting out, I've only been working with balsa, but have some Camphor Laurel coming, followed by some Meranti, Australian Red Cedar and Brazilian Mahogany.
I've been looking at lots of boxes and what stands out is that virtually all are 'square', without curves, so I'm aiming for nice 'soft' shapes with plenty of curves.
I've attached a couple of pics of the alarm clock, (no finished pics, but it works well and looks fairly good), magnifying glass and the current work-in-progress, the glasses case. Still roughing out so there are a few tool marks. Bending the lid was fun.
I have some brass-plated hinges for the lid, along with some 2mm x 3mm magnets for the 'catch'. Still thinking about the feet.
(Can't wait to get some decent timbers.)

Attached Images

	Alarm Clock .jpg (139.0 KB, 5 views)
	Mag Glass 1.JPG (34.7 KB, 2 views)
	Mag Glass 2.JPG (15.2 KB, 2 views)
	Mag Glass 3.JPG (24.2 KB, 3 views)
	Glasses Case 1.JPG (70.0 KB, 2 views)
	Glasses Case 2.JPG (95.6 KB, 3 views)

Hermit welcome some nice pieces there.

Towards end of March Kiama woodshow is on and Mal Ward will have some nice timbers down there.

__________________
As a dad I have not been made redundant!! I have just changed to President & Chariman of the Board. Taken the seat of my father and his father before him. Its lonely at the top till the grandies come over.
http://woolnwood.blogspot.com/

Hello wheelinround, thanks for the welcome.

I'm new to all of this - didn't know there was a Kiama wood show and have never heard of Mal Ward, but I'll soon get up to speed.

Just did a little searching/reading and checked out your pics from the 2010 show. Can't wait for this year's, now. I'll be there with bells on. Looks like I better take a full wallet, too.
Thanks for the eyes-up.

Hermit your welcome hope to see you there.

Mal is Boutique Timbers his brother Greg Ward a member on here.

Kiama club web page will have the dates the show is in the old masonic hall along the historic shop area.

Ray

__________________
As a dad I have not been made redundant!! I have just changed to President & Chariman of the Board. Taken the seat of my father and his father before him. Its lonely at the top till the grandies come over.
http://woolnwood.blogspot.com/

Thanks once again, for pointing me in the direction of Boutique Timbers. I can't get anything here in Nowra - currently ordering a bit from Misan. I've also bookmarked the Kiama club - the show is on 24-25 March.

Welcome to the forum. The hand carved magnifying glass really appeals to me well done.

Thanks, Christos. My first real carving. I enjoyed doing that one. Great practice with my carving knife, too. (Don't have a bandsaw or anything fancy yet, just a small knife and a sandpaper block.)

Got a fair bit done on the glasses case today - might start a thread.

Hermit what about this place timber species

Now we're talking. Thanks, Pac man - I had no idea they existed and they're only a couple of miles away. I've been looking at Mitre 10, Ison &co etc. I'm learning.

The timber supplier was at the Sturt School on the weekend

You should also probably find out about these guys

and Jim Davey (Falls Creek)

Excellent, thank you Pac man - they're added to my list. I had no idea there was a Shoalhaven Woodcraft Society, but I'll be chasing them up.

Boy I'm glad I found this site - suddenly I'm surrounded by resources.

(Just started a thread for the glasses case. Now I can't stuff it up. It's public.)