MistakesWereWoodMade

My little brother asked me to make him a side table with hidden compartments. I said, “Sure, how hard can that be?” Famous last words.

69.5 hours and 6 months later, he has a table.

To be fair, I did this to myself. I decided this was the perfect project to try inlays, because apparently hidden compartments weren’t enough. Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Also yes. Perfect? Please refer to the name: Mistakes Wood Made.

The hidden compartments were surprisingly easy. The drawers? Measure twice, cut once, then do it all again because math. Anyway, I now have 5 extra drawers.

My wife asked for a planter box so I made one that doubles as a statement piece for our entryway. I kept the form simple and vertical to complement the lines of the house, letting the natural grain of the cedar do most of the work.

I stained it to match our pergola, tying it into the rest of the outdoor space so it feels intentional, not added on.

Designed and built for my older brother, this watch case balances function with meaning. The front is engraved with the birth times of his three kids; subtle, personal, and permanent. Inside, eight compartments keep his collection organized, while a hidden compartment adds a layer of discovery.

Designed and built for my nephew, this watch case is meant to grow with him over time. Ten compartments provide space for a developing collection, while a hidden compartment adds a quiet, personal detail. Inside, his birth time is inscribed.

Built this in Class 103 where things started to feel a bit more real. I learned how to build in a way that lets the wood move naturally something I didn’t think about before but now can’t ignore.

Tried a mix of joinery techniques, played around with shaping the legs, and got more comfortable experimenting with different tools. A few moments of “that didn’t go as planned,” but overall this is where I started trusting the process a lot more.

Built this in Class 102 where I really got my hands dirty with the basics taking rough lumber and turning it into something clean and square. A lot of trial, error, and “measure twice, cut once… maybe.”

I spent a lot of time getting comfortable with new tools. Definitely one of those projects where things started to click.