Blog

A Jewellery Box for Your Treasures Large and Small

Posted on February 19, 2012

For literally thousands of years boxes have been used for storing things - from the most mundane to the most treasured, from the purely practical to the symbolic and ceremonial. Boxes intrigue people because they hold hidden things and even in the gallery when people know that the boxes on the shelves are empty, still they must open each one to look inside, an instinctive desire to see what is in there, to know what it contains.
 

Jewellery boxes are probably the most sought after type of box and come in many forms; Jewellery boxes with trays and drawers, simple lined boxes, bandsawn boxes, sculptural boxes, veneered boxes, turned boxes, marquetry boxes, large boxes and small boxes. Jewellery boxes are so many and varied because people require different things from them. Someone may want a tiny, perfect little box for the presenting of a special item such as an engagement ring or anniversary present.


Another may need a simple lined box for a few treasured pieces. For those with larger collections of jewellery the full on jewellery box with trays and drawers would be the thing. Jewellery boxes can also be collectable items in themselves such as the bandsawn and carved boxes of Alan Williams or the exquisite marquetry boxes of Max Clerteau. Alternatively a little turned trinket box for the dresser is perfect for keeping everyday jewellery.






Our classic, solid Rosewood jewellery box is made with traditional dovetail joints while our veneered boxes use rebate joints or other frame and box joints to make the basic solid wood construction over which the decorative veneers are laid, the overall look being sleek and contemporary. The timbers used for the veneers are chosen for their highly decorative grain and colour and the thin slices of wood taken to make a veneer mean that an exceptionally rare and beautiful piece of timber can be used for several boxes rather than just one solid box.





The boxes described and shown above cover a fairly wide range but sometimes an individual collection of jewellery or treasures requires a really special box or even cabinet, and that is when a master craftsmen is brought in to design and make a piece that perfectly fulfills the requirements of the customer.


The cabinet shown has 2 slide out hanging spaces for necklaces and bracelets and then multiple drawers for flat storage, and is made from Rosewood and Ash, all in all a fine peice of woodcraft and design.

Australian Woodwork: 100% Australian Made

Posted on December 28, 2011

Australian Woodwork has become a certified retail supporter of the 'Australian Made, Australian Grown' campaign and we are flying our colours with pride. The Australian Made logo certification trademark was created by the Australian Government in 1986 to promote Australian made products in local and export markets and in 2002 a public, not for profit company was established with a renamed logo, 'Australian Made, Australian Grown'. Its aim was to establish consumer information and country of origin labelling standards and to raise the domestic and international profile of goods that are produced in Australia. To become a Retail Supporter you must support these goals and derive 50% of sales from Australian made or grown goods ! Well we are very proud to make the claim that ALL OUR PRODUCTS ARE AUSTRALIAN MADE so we are way ahead of the pack. After a very thorough application process, supplying proof of our bona fides and making Statutory declarations, we ordered our flag and fly it every day with pride, knowing that the skill of the workmanship, the beauty of the timbers and the quality of design are all of the highest standard and ALL AUSTRALIAN.


The reasons we wanted to certify our business are twofold: Firstly, if you call yourself 'Australian Woodwork' then you want to be able to back it up with something more than assurances - it is not a simple matter to become certified and it does mean something to have that logo. Secondly, we have become aware that people are finding it increasingly hard to find quality Australian Made products that are not either footwear or kitsch, Australiana souvenirs, and that the readily identifiable logo lets people know immediately that they are looking at the good stuff - good quality, good design, good wood. Customers, when they have needed a special gift for international guests or relatives have been so relieved and thankful to find us that we have almost felt like good Samaritans until the doing of some menial task brings us back down to earth. Over the coming year we will be working with the Australian Made Australian Grown people to support the goals and ethos of the campaign and hope that many of the people out there searching vainly for that Australian made gift will find us as a result.

To all our customers the very best wishes for 2012,

The team at Australian Woodwork

Wood if you Could! (Do your bit to combat climate change)

Posted on December 12, 2011

Sustainable TimbersWood is a renewable resource and forests and wood products can be effective mechanisms in slowing the process of climate change. Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lock it up in storage until that wood is burnt or decays, so that when you purchase a piece of woodcraft or fine furniture from us, something that will be kept and cherished, you are effectively storing carbon. For example, a dining chair will store about 4kg of carbon while an average salad bowl will store 2kg of carbon. 

Australia's forest management is among the best in the world and is one of the most greenhouse friendly sectors of the Australian economy. It is truly renewable because millions of new trees are planted each year and Australia's 1.9 million hectares of timber plantation produce two thirds of the timber products consumed by us each year. Of Australia's 147 million hectares of native forest only 6% is potentially available for harvesting and only 1% of that is actually harvested. 

All of our makers of fine furniture and woodcraft source their new  timber from sources certified by the AFS (Australian Forestry Standard) which lets a woodworker know that his timber has been tracked through the supply chain and is from forests managed to the highest possible standard.  Our designer/ makers of fine furniture also use recycled timber where applicable, turning old wooden bridges into exquisite dining tables. Old recycled timber often has a depth of colour not seen in new timber and is highly prized plus the carbon locked in that timber stays locked in! Our wood turners who specialise in Hardwood Burls for turning bowls mostly do their own careful burl harvesting. This involves cutting the burl off the main trunk of the tree and leaving the tree intact and healthy, continuing its work of absorbing carbon dioxide and storing carbon. The woodcraft industry is responsible for only .03% of the timber used annually in Australia, the bulk being used in construction and building but nonetheless the consensus among our craftsmen is that the use of sustainable and renewable timber is of the utmost importance and finally in their best interests - they do not want to run out and want to continue to produce beautiful and practical wooden homewares, furniture and woodcraft.


Finally Beautiful Woodcraft Online

Posted on October 07, 2011

Beautiful and environmentally friendly, our range of woodcraft homewares make a beautiful addition to any room. Carefully crafted by some of the top artisans in Australia, they are made from sustainable Australian timbers. They represent an excellent merger of function and beauty in pieces that you will be proud to use and display in your home.

Wooden Kitchenware

Every kitchen can benefit from the beautiful woodcraft products available. Whether you need a cheese tray or are looking for rolling pins, there is something beautiful to add interest and the feel of the Australian Outback to your home. From cutting boards to kitchen tongs and drink coasters, there is no limit to the kitchenware woodcraft you can choose.

Add interest and style to the most basic kitchen items by choosing woodcraft from Australian Woodwork. The Sheok Cheese Board and Knife Set features a shaped board with a hole for easy handling. The knife has an ergonomic handle that will be comfortable when gripped and the entire piece will look elegant gracing the table.

Impress your friends the next time you open a bottle of wine with our range of Wineware. Perfectly counterbalanced and designed to put gravity to work, this swirling wine bottle holder will make the wine bottle appear to be floating. The design has a broad base that provides stability while the perfectly tapered point lends intrigue to an item that is a perfect piece of woodcraft and an excellent gift for any wine lover.

Every table needs a trivet for hot dishes. When you choose the Hot Snake trivet you are choosing one that can actually be separated to create two resting places. Combined, the interlocking snakes create a solid surface. Apart, each one is a pleasing swirl that can be used alone or combined in different patterns.

Homewares

There are many uses for woodcraft in every room of the home. Choose a drinks tray for enjoying breakfast in bed or pick up tea light candle holders to softly illuminate any space in your home. Bring the Australian landscape to your coffee table with Woodcraft Chimney vases. Designed to be reminiscent of the bush, they will bring back memories of the river gums, bushfires and red earth. They feature jagged, black rims that contrast sharply against the stunning red hues and swirled grain of the Redgum.

Offer drinks to your guests Myrtle Burl drinks tray. Whether you are serving shrimp appetizers or the finest wine, the selections will be at home on this tray featuring chrome handles and a gorgeous wood grain. Finished with two coatings of lacquer for protection and a beautiful shine, this tray is sure to impress and please.

Handcarved mirrors bring the beautiful red cedar wood of Australia into your home. Woodcraft features a leaf design as well as a basic oval that can grace any wall. However, the Red Cedar Freeform mirror may provide the most interest for a room. Following the natural lines of the timber and featuring a mirror-like polish on the wood, this mirror is a one-of-a-kind piece that you are sure to cherish.

Wooden Boxes

Additional storage is always handy, and with Woodcraft boxes you can get the extra storage you need for small items. Protect and secure jewelry or choose a single ring box for a better presentation of a gift. Woodcrafts offers a wide range of boxes for your jewels and trinkets.

The flip-top ring box can be used to store a few rings of your own or for giving one as a gift. Crafted from contrasting wood like Queensland Ebony and Purple Gidgee, a Woodcrafts box features a unique look that is elegant and fascinating.

Choose something truly different with the large Wobble Trinket box. Woodcraft artisans fashion these pieces around the flow of the wood grain, so each one is unique and different. The form flows like water and are sure to be conversation starters. The lids slid off for security and they are the perfect size for storing small pieces that have a special place in your heart.

Wood Bowls


Bring an amazing natural feel into your home with Woodcrafts bowls. Featuring natural edges that follow the rings of the trees and scooped out centers that are smooth and highly polished, these bowls are pieces of art in and of themselves. The colour and texture varies from one to another. No two bowls will share the same shape and they are all ideal additions to any room in your home.

Alternatively, other woodcrafts also include bowls that are perfectly polished and turned. Still crafted from the center of a tree, they showcase the intricate marking of the tree while maintaining the smooth, round appearance of a traditional bowl.

Birds

Enjoy birds of the Australian landscape that will never fly away. These delicately carved Woodcraft animals feature Sandpipers, Magpies, Egrets and Kookaburras. Whether you are a visitor to the country and wish to take home memories of these birds or a permanent resident, Woodcraft birds will look fantastic in your home.

The black and white singing Magpie features Camphor Laurel and a graceful shape. His graceful curves are elegant and the smooth finish reveals a lovely shine that will compliment any table or hutch.

You can also choose a more whimsical Woodcraft bird with the Laughing Kookaburras. A true icon of Australia, this carved bird is crafted from Camphor Laurel and features a whimsical shape that is both realistic and fun. The wood grain shows through on the body for a piece that is highly attractive and a welcome addition to any collection.

Woodcraft products are available for every room in your home. Bring some spark and whimsy to the space while taking pride in the fact that Woodcraft items are environmentally friendly. No two pieces are exactly alike and each one is certain to become a family heirloom that is passed down from one generation to the next.

Australian Woodwork Darling Harbour is Closing Down

Posted on September 26, 2011

After more than 14 successful years in Sydney, we have moved permanently to the Hunter Valley where we opened our large gallery on the main road to the major wineries 4 years ago.
We shall, therefore, not renew the lease on our Darling Harbour shop and it will close in early November 2011.
We know that this will disappoint our many loyal customers but wish to assure you that we will still offer the same product range and customer service through our updated website, which we will continue to develop and expand.
We have been delighted to welcome many of our longstanding Australian and international customers to the Hunter Valley Gallery during their visits to this beautiful region within easy reach of Sydney.
The gallery has space to showcase the furniture of Australia's master craftsmen as well as a wide selection of woodworking and woodcraft products from more than 70 talented designer-makers from all over Australia.
We look forward to welcoming you to our online shop and the Hunter Valley Gallery very soon.

Sincerely,

Australian Woodwork