Light Duty Narrow Keepsake Box, Fire deals Preserved Poplar with Spalted Birch Lid [8.75x3.75x3.25”]

Interior Dimensions: 8.125"(L) x 3.125"(W) x 1.875(H)

What is spalted wood?
It's more of an art than a science, but it's controlled cultivation of naturally present microorganisms in the wood. Depending on humidity levels and materials present for the microorganisms, you can get a variety of colors to appear, ranging from blue, black, green, pink, and gray deals. This process stops the moment moisture content within the wood drops below a certain threshold. After the wood is dry enough to work with, it is planed, sanded, sealed with linseed oil, shellac and a lacquer varnish to ensure the wood remains color stable.

How is fire used to preserve wood?
Through the traditional Japanese method of Shou Sugi Ban, exterior siding is conditioned in a way that will allow it to withstand being left outside. Normally, red cedar is used, but the method remains the same regardless of what species of wood is used. You char the outside of the wood, cool it down and brush it clean with a stiff wire brush. Afterwards, the wood is oiled for a silky, smooth finish.

The Journey Begins
Prepping for these boxes started in early 2021 when the birch logs were first cut down. The birch logs were then stacked and covered outdoors to encourage spalting. When they had enough time to spalt, I grabbed the logs and resawed them into 3/8" thick boards with my bandsaw. The freshly cut planks were stacked and set aside to air dry until their moisture content was within a usable range. While those boards were drying, I resawed poplar boards into 3/8"planks and also set them aside as well to air dry. After several months of being able to air dry, the boards were ready to be used.

Production of each box went along smoothly. Extra care was taken with the lids to ensure they remained color stable and would not continue to spalt. The poplar boards were assembled into boxes that were fully sealed (there was no way to open them after they were nailed and glued). This was done to ensure an even burn on all sides before cutting the box open and attaching its hardware.

After the boxes were completed with their hardware attached, I used my homemade beeswax polish and gave them a light coat of wax for a soft hand feel and matte finish. Thank you for taking part in these boxes journey that started back in 2021. I hope they bring you much joy and their next chapter can be full of many happy memories while in your care.