Here are a few responses we've received from people after seeing their newly purchased jewelry box or cutting board. We love hearing from satisfied customers, and take very seriously the trust they place in us in buying expensive work they have seen only in pictures. We think of the recipient every step of the long process of creation, as we strive for perfection.

II just received your finely crafted moonrise box and I am very pleased with the outcome. I sincerely appreciate your attention to detail, it is exactly what I was after. Thank you very much for doing such a nice job on this very important item. I placed the necklace in the box last night and as expected, it is a perfect fit. It looks fantastic and I don’t think there is any question that she will be thrilled with the whole package. She’ll be getting it a week from today in Bora Bora. Thanks again for doing such fine work. Rick

Hi Al and Marilyn, I just received my beautiful boxes and cutting boards. I'm overwhelmed by the artistry and perfection of your work. I can't even say which piece is my favorite - but I am especially very glad I gave myself the present of the Koa jewelry box - indescribably perfect! The wood grains, the deliciously smooth finish...I love, love love it!!! I'm glad I couldn't make up mind to just get 1. This brings back memories of my grandfather, who was a woodworker (and organic gardener, long before organic gardening was popular). I wish he could have seen your work: he would have loved to talk to you about it. I have a happy childhood memory of being with him in his shop, and listening while he held up a chunk of walnut and talked about the beauty of that little piece he would later turn on his lathe. You have a precious gift - you bring beauty into the world. Thank you with all my heart. Carol

Al, What can I say.. it is more than I had ever hoped for. I am a believer in the saying 'things happen for a reason'. I waited for over four years for the first case maker and then he backed out. I was very disappointed, but had he not done that I would have never found you and ended up with the exceptional piece of craftsmanship. The inlaid SF crest is absolutely spectacular! I am so thankful and honored that you agreed to build this for me, for the other members of SFA 28, and for my father and the men of the First Special Service Force. It has been an genuine pleasure working with you and I wish you and Marilyn the very best. I know firearms are not consistent with your feelings and beliefs and I sincerely respect those beliefs. This makes the case extra special to me, as your willingness to proceed was a wonderful, kind gesture and tribute to those whom this case represents. Thank you again, John

IT IS GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! It is far beyond what I even expected. If any of my wife's friend want one how much should I tell them it would cost them? Needless to say my wife is ecstatic. She has spent days loading it. I got one drawer for my cufflinks. She's filled most of the rest of them.

I spent several weeks looking at jewelry boxes in high-end boutiques around the San Francisco Bay Area, looking for just the right thing for my wife's 30th birthday. However, I kept finding that the boxes were either all form and no function (beautiful looking, but without sufficient organizational spaces) or all function and no form (just big plain organizers with no detail and no soul). When I came across Al Ladd's website, I was thrilled-- here at last I found the perfect marriage of the two, and for the same price as I would have paid in these boutiques for a lesser product! I bought a new style Koa Box for my wife, and it was even more beautiful when it arrived than it appeared on the website. My wife's father and step-father, both woodworkers, were deeply impressed with Al's craftsmanship. All of my wife's friends who were at her party were stunned by the piece, and couldn't stop passing it around. It was quite a hit! In addition to that, both Al and Marilyn were incredibly helpful in getting the box to me in a hurry, in time for my wife's party. I can't recommend their work highly enough. —Dan G., Albany, CA

I did recieve the package today and the box is absolutely beautiful. I'm sure you know this, but the pictures don't do your works justice. Thank you so much for your efforts - and for the opportunity to give my wife something truly special on our first anniversary. -Matt

I received the Amish Quilt box today. It's beautiful. Every time I examine it, I find another fascinating detail. I assume the squares are glued together on top, but it looks like one solid piece. Amazing. Doug, Los Angeles, California

Al, Please send a note letting them know. Your cutting boards make the best wedding presents! I used to buy them from a store in Chicago, but then we moved away. I was recently back in Chicago, but the store was gone. I am so glad that I found the website! Especially now because we have moved to Brazil which makes buying and sending gifts over the Internet a necessity. Thanks! Andy

(one Drawer, Inlay Banding Box, Leopard wood Square Banding). Wow! Nice craftsmanship! I am very pleased with your work, the wife will love and cherish this jewelry box. Worth every penny! Thank you, Signed,Matthew, one satisfied customer! Meriden, Connecticut

just want to thank you again for the beautiful, artful, koa wood box. I received it today and I love it! I was looking for something really special and this is it. Sincerely, Susan , Santa Barbara, California

Thank you Al! The Jewelry box arrived an hour ago and has stopped traffic near my desk. All the women wanted to look at it. You do beautiful work. Tom,Gardena, California

Hi Al and Marilyn -- I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you for our beautiful chopping block. Not only does it add a special look to our newly redone kitchen, but it catches my eye every time I walk by and makes me realize how special this hand-crafted piece is. It's received oohs and ahhs from everyone who's seen it, including a friend who crafts fine furniture. Thanks again, Deb, Newburyport, Massachusetts

Hello Marilyn and Al, Your box arrived today, a present for my wife. I've looked for a jewelry box for her for many years, window-shopping on every trip I took, occasionally cruising on the internet. I even doodled some designs with hopes of perhaps acquiring the skill myself to work with wood; but I can't make my hands shape the ideas too well. Anyway, I enjoyed the hunt, but nothing ever was quite what I was looking for. And since a jewelery box was not a necessity, I could afford to wait. As soon as I saw your website, however, I was flabbergasted to realize that I had found what I was looking for. The boxes are all extraordinary, and though I wish I could sit down with each one in turn--weighing their various qualities, opening and closing lids, testing drawers, studying them from different angles--the Arts and Crafts box was an easy decision for me. It brings to mind the feel of certain neighborhoods where I like to walk and look at the gardens and architecture--lots of Maybeck and Morgan houses in the East Bay. It reminds me of my grandmother's old house, of furniture that I never thought anything of, as a kid, but which I appreciate in retrospect, when I look at photographs. Your box evokes that strong sense of the past for me, but I also admire your imagination and experimentation, and your devotion to craftsmanship. True enough, it is a somewhat reckless purchase for me at the moment; but I'm not sorry in the least. In fact I am very glad of it. I only note that to emphasize that the box has far greater value to me than the cost. It's a work of art. I salute your skill and your philosophy. Thank you and best wishes, Barry , Castro Valley, California

Mr. Ladd, I want to thank you for the beautiful chopping block that my husband bought me for a present. I love the wood, the workmanship and the feel of the board. You truly do beautiful work. Your chopping block makes my kitchen look so classy!! Riki, Huntsville, Alabama

Hi Al, I just wanted to tell you that I received the box last week and it is absolutely beautiful. You did a wonderful job on the box and I could not thank you enough. My jewelry has a beautiful home now. Mai, Harriman, New York

Hi again Al & Marilyn -- I just received the boxes I ordered this afternoon, right on time. WOW! They are everything I was hoping for. I guess that means that your website pictures really do justice to your products! The craftsmanship is impeccable. Even though I had you gift-wrap the four boxes I ordered, I ended up opening every one just to admire their beauty! Each was more amazing than the last.... The woods you have used are AMAZING! The quilted maple is especially stunning to look at.... I think my favorite is the Craftsman style. The through-tenons on the front are an especially nice touch. I am thinking about ordering one of these for myself. Anyway, I am re-wrapping the boxes in your excellent packaging (with a couple of jewelry pieces in each) for the ladies in my family. I know they will enjoy these gifts. Thanks so much, and Happy Holidays, Mark, Boise, Idaho

Al, I received the cutting board yesterday, just as you said. I had gold wrapping paper at home so I unwrapped it to see the maple cutting board I was giving as a gift to my boss and his wife this morning and it's truly beautiful. Thank you! Lotus, New York City

Mr. Ladd, I received your package on Friday. The workmanship was as great as I imagined it to be. On Sunday, your jewelry box played a vital role in my engagement proposal to my girlfriend. She loved it as well and we are both hopeful that this small treasure can be passed down from this generation to the next. I am including a picture taken just a few minutes after I asked the BIG question. The Amish quilt box is on the table. Thanks once again for everything. Sincerely, Kameran & Kimberly, Gainesville, Florida

Al, I rcvd my order the other day and have just now opened it. This is the most beautiful workmanship I have ever seen! You are a true artist. I am very happy and will certainly be the best gift giver this Christmas. You have gained a very loyal customer and collector. Do you offer classes or internships? Thank you again, Tony

I got the box on Saturday and I love it. I'm about to give an engagement ring to my girlfriend, the most meaningful gift I'm ever going to give anyone, and I didn't think the standard ring box did the ring justice. Your's however definitely does. Thanks so much, Kyle, Marina Del Rey, CA

Hi there ... The ring boxes have arrived safely here in London and they are very beautiful - very many thanks. It was most interesting reading the articles about your work and I must say your place sounds and looks idyllic - quite different from our rather difficult urban surroundings... Your boxes will help us remember that beauty, peace and sanctity can still be found on our sometimes beleaguered planet and particularly on the internet - there's hope everywhere! Peter, London, England

Hello Al, Chopping block arrived yesterday 7th! It's super and I know it will be greatly admired and appreciated. Many thanks Al and I'll be in touch again in the future! Jo, Nottingham,England

Thank you both for your service and attention to detail. I purchased the first ring box (heart/dark wood) last February. It held the promise ring I gave my girlfriend on our 6 month anniversary. The ring was a family heirloom and required something special in the way of a box. Yours fit the bill perfectly. Now, I will be proposing to her soon and of course, the ring I have chosen to drop to a knee with is special in it's own way. I looked high and low for something as special as your box and could not fing anything. So my only course of action was to purchase another of your boxes. I chose the lighter version of the heart ring box this time to differentiate between the two rings. I look forward to both seeing and using it on our special day. Thank you again and have a great year! V/R, Tom , Clearwater, Florida

Hi Al, I received the jewelry box you sent. It is absolutely beautiful! I thought it might amuse you to know that I am a volunteer editor the the ODP (Open Directory Project) and was working in the woodcraft listing when I found your web site waiting in the queue. I reviewed your site for listing, and once I was in there, I couldn't resist buying one of your beautiful works of art. Once again, you do wonderful work. Thank you. Regards, Cathy, Mission Viejo, CA

The online photographs of the jewelry box didn't do the real thing justice! My wife loves it! Al's work is amazing and I'm honored we own one of his creations. If ever anyone asks about a jewelry box for their wife or girlfriend, I'll certainly pass your website along. Thanks again, Wade, Smithtown, New York

What a wonderful Jewelry box! My love Lynda is thrilled at having such a treasure, and I hope to gradually fill the box with delights for her over the years. Mel, Abingdon, VA

Just wanted you to know I recieved the box yesterday. Wow! What beautiful work! My husband and I love it. The detail is incredible. Thanks again so much. You folks are incredible! With Gratitude, Renate, Torrance, California

I just placed an order with you for a cutting board, to give as a gift to a friend. I have a board just like the one I just ordered from you; I\'ve been using it for, well, I\'m not sure how long, but well over 10 years. I bought it from the Calico Cat in Baltimore, Maryland. Alas, they have stopped carrying your cutting boards and I haven\'t been able to find the boards locally. My friend has admired mine and I wanted to give her a very special thank you gift. Remembering that she admired mine, I was hoping against hope that I could find you online, even though I didn\'t know your name. Imagine my surprise when I googled \"handcrafted wooden cutting boards\" and the very first link I clicked on got me to your website. I love GOOGLE. I love my board and always enjoy using it. It is in beautiful shape even though I use several times on most days. I lives on my kitchen counter. I use it for cutting everything: fruits, vegetables and meats. My knives love it too. All I do is let it soak up as much mineral oil (the stuff Williams Sonoma sells) - as it will take - on both sides - a few times a year. Thank you for making such an aesthetically pleasing and functional work of art. I am looking forward to giving my friend this gift. Cynthia