Russ Svendsen
Olean, NY
Orange you glad it’s Christmas? Longtime reader Russ Svendsen built this toybox as a Christmas gift for his great-grandson. The frame-and-panel chest features a half-width sliding tray for smaller toys, and a carpeted bottom to cut down on noise. Cutouts on the front and sides, and a pair of torsion hinges, prevent smashed fingers. Svendsen painted the panels orange, but opted to finish the pine framing in tung oil. Then he added his great-grandson’s name in a scrollsawn script. Most importantly, this gift provides plenty of space for Isaac’s other Christmas presents!
John Gondek
Plainville, CT
Hole-y Matrimony. Longtime reader John Gondek created this cribbage board for his wife for their 56th wedding anniversary. Measuring 3 × 4 1/2 × 18" the rosewood case is topped with a marblewood gameboard. A full-length drawer stashes the cards and game pegs. Gondek hand-drilled all 241 holes for the pegs—which he turned from pen blanks—then colored their paths using paint markers. He finished the game box with six coats of polyurethane. Like the Gondeks’ marriage, this game is built to stand the test of time.
Gary Stoh
Beaumont, CA
Jewelry store. Inspired by a vintage version in an antique shop, Stoh crafted this upright jewelry box for his wife. The piece stands 50" tall and features a cherry case with leopardwood side panels and drawer fronts. Both sides open to allow necklaces and chains to hang straight and tangle-free. Stoh finished the cabinet with polyurethane varnish.
Dick Dye
Colorado Springs, CO
Santa only had nine! Woodworker Dye converted the Rudolph and Olive reindeer pattern (Dec/Jan 2022) into a CNC cutting file and made a whole herd of sleigh-pullers. In all, Dye says he’s cut, painted, and assembled about 25 reindeer, giving many to friends and family. Still, he’ll have plenty of deer to pull the sleigh on page 22. We just wonder what he named them all!
