WOODCARVING & ACCESSORIES

Jewelry Boxes Women Find Irresistible: Wood Inlay with Zebrawood

Women are fascinated by handcarved wooden jewelry boxes and these boxes are especially popular with those who collect a lot of jewelry. A type of the wooden jewelry boxes women adore is the one that is embellished with intricate art work like marquetry. Different types of rare and exotic wood are used in marquetry, an art form involving exquisite wood inlay.

Zebrawood, with its amazing patterns and colors, make it very attractive for use in marquetry. Marquetry is an art form that is used to adorn the lids of wooden jewelry boxes to enhance their external appearance. Veneers and burls of different kinds of rare and exotic wood are used to produce breathtaking designs and images.

Zebras cavorting in the wild, drinking water at streams, grazing peacefully in herds, are images that we see quite often on National Geographic. Zebrawood, on the other hand, is a very rare find in the wild. It is a very rare wood that grows only in central parts of Africa like the Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon. Its striking resemblance to the zebra, with the very dark thin stripes on a light background, is how it got its name.

Zebrawood is of the Microberlina brazzavillensis species and is also called as Amouk, Allenele, African Zebrawood, and Zingana. The diameter of the tree ranges from 48” to 60” and mostly grows on banks of rivers.

Its heartwood has very thin dark stripes in black or brown on an extremely pale golden background. It has a very coarse texture and the pale color extends to the sapwood too. The wood is susceptible to insects as it is highly resistant to treatment with preservatives.

It is very difficult to cut or carve this wood as its grains are interlocked tightly and very closely defined. But it is an extremely beautiful and attractive wood with its exuberant patterns and colors especially when its quartersawn. It does not easily dry out and gives off a bit of a stench when it is being cut.

As the Zebrawood veneer is pretty fragile, an extra level of care and attention needs to be paid while handling it to prevent it from breaking. But it can be worked fairly well with the use of hand and power tools. A belt sander will give it a very smooth machine finish.

A jewelry box adorned with exquisite marquetry using Zebrawood would be the perfect gift for the special lady in your life as it packages both sophistication and class with a reasonable price tag.

This article was brought to you by MarqART Gift Shop. Our jewelry boxes are original works of art, no two creations are the same. Each wood shown has its own unique wood grain pattern and color. MarqART comes from combining the words marquetry (wood inlay) + Art (a creation of beauty) an apt name for our products. A fine addition to your dressing table or as a gift. Please visit http://www.marqartgiftshop.com to browse & buy exotic jewelry boxes that will give you a lifetime of pleasure!
Woodworking Information : How to Bend Wood to Make Furniture

Mountain Woods Extra Large Acacia Cutting Board w/ Juice Groove $33.95 Protect your counters and serve roasted meats in style on this impressive acacia wood carving/serving platter. This cutting board adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen or dining table. Both sides of the board are suitable for chopping and slicing. One surface is smooth while the opposite surface has a generous groove for collecting succulent liquids from roasted meats….

John Boos Au Jus 18-by-24-Inch Maple Cutting Board $112.95 The first choice of professional chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Paul Kaha, Mario Batali, Todd Slossberg, and others. Boos’ boards have been awarded the Gold Medal by Chefs of America. John Boos’ cutting boards and chopping blocks are fully professional in every way. You select from Edge-Grain Hard Rock Maple, End-Grain Hard Rock Maple, Lyptus, or Bamboo. There are reversible boards, large boards, …

Mountain Woods Carving & Serving Board w/ Metal Handles $39.95 Protect your counters and serve roasted meats in style on this impressive acacia wood carving/serving platter. Add elegance to your kitchen or grace your dining table with this cutting board fitted with metal handles. Features a generously deep juice groove for collecting succulent liquids from roasted meats. *Care Instructions: This product is not suitable for the dishwasher. To clean, simply was…

Turning Custom Duck and Game Calls: The Complete Guide for Craftsmen, Collectors, and Outdoorsmen $13.15 This unique book demonstrates how to turn a handsome duck call, and includes comprehensive insights, revealing the secrets of this American folk art. A complete guide to turning duck and game calls, including: understanding duck and game calls; tools, materials, and preparation; embellishment ideas; toneboards and reeds; finishing; and a gallery and resource directory. 128 pages. Softcover….