Al Ladd Fine Edge Woodworking
Al Ladd
Fine Edge Woodworking
I've been a full time craft woodworker, specializing in cutting
boards and boxes, since 1982. I've made a lot of cutting boards
and boxes! Precision, detail, classical beauty, and the utmost
functionality have been passions of mine.
These days much of my time is devoted to producing the
woodworking power feeder I've developed, so i spend less time
making boxes and cutting boards.
I'm still taking commissions that interest me most, and
producing new batches of some of my designs, but some of
my products are all sold out, never to be offered again, and
others are the last of their kind, still available as of late
2026.
This box is one of those that's sold out.
Dalbergia Garden Jewelry Box
This box features two decorative techniques I work with, --end grain lamination, and inlay banding. The inner end grain panel features Brazilian tulip-wood tulips, and the inlay banding features honey locust leaves in a field of curly maple, with Macassar ebony. The case is figured cherry with Macassar ebony legs and stretchers.
This open view shows the inside of the endgrain panel, held in place by wide mitered 1/8" cherry veneer. The compound angles of the frame holding the panels and the top section of the jewelry box form a dramatic rise which is surprisingly beautiful when viewed with the box open. The earring tray and both drawers feature a foam padded velvet ring storage to match the overall black velvet liner.
Dalbergia Garden Jewelry Box
The compound mitered top section is solid cherry with Macassar ebony inlay, and the lower case is solid Macassar ebony legs and stretchers with panels veneered with a thick veneer cut from the same board as the top section for perfect color match. This construction allows me to fit the drawers very precisely for a silky glide, without binding when the weather changes. A total of 31 compartments, many large enough for your largest pieces of jewelry, or even small boxes, accommodates your collection. The bottom drawer can house an object a full inch and a half deep. The drawers are stopped with spring loaded catches, so they wont fall out when you reach for that special pin in the back. The drawer pulls are rounded across both front dimensions, and are also tapered in thickness, allowing a firm grip for an effortless tug.
Dalbergia Garden Jewelry Box
Close-up of top shows the satinwood accent around the
interior tulip lobe, and the little jatoba "berries" at the
vertices of the honey locust "leaves", set off against a fine
curly maple. Also with Peruvian walnut bordering the tulips'
holly field, maple dancing dots, a mahogany inner and outer
frame to the maple, and Macassar ebony frame where the panel
enters the beveled cherry frame.
Hand Made Jewelry Boxes
Our jewelry boxes are the finest made in the US, the result of over 25 years of thought, improvement, and hard work. From the quality of the wood itself, to the finest solid brass hardware, to the hand-rubbed tung oil finish, we cut no corners in constructing jewelry boxes destined to become treasured family heirlooms. All our large jewelry boxes have ample storage, with trays, and in some drawers, able to house large to very large jewelry collections. We also can adapt our stock designs or make something especially for you. A custom made jewelry box is a perfect gift for the most special occasions. My newer boxes contain an innovative necklace storage system that prevents sagging and entanglement, and a tray designed to hang many pairs of earrings, so our boxes are not only breathtakingly beautiful, but a sheer delight to use.
Weathervane Cutting Board
This board is made from solid walnut, red oak, maple, cherry, and jatoba. The exposed surface is end-grain, more than ten times harder than the face or edge grain, yet it's self-healing quality makes it easier on your knives.
Weathervane Cutting Board
This board is made from solid walnut, red oak, maple, cherry, and jatoba. The exposed surface is end-grain, more than ten times harder than the face or edge grain, yet it's self-healing quality makes it easier on your knives.
Weathervane Cutting Board
This board is made from solid walnut, red oak, maple, cherry, and jatoba. The exposed surface is end-grain, more than ten times harder than the face or edge grain, yet it's self-healing quality makes it easier on your knives.
