I’m making an urn. The box is glued up. Opens from the bottom. The legs and lid are not attached yet. The issue is the clamshell on the lid. Too big? Not needed? Open to any and all ideas.
Need design help
- Thread starter pinky
- Start date
I guess the finial might be a bit on the big side, is there a meaning to it? a symbol of something. Great design BTW, really like your use of the grain pattern...
Pinky, that's a masterpiece! As far as the "clamshell" on the top, I like it - somehow it reminds me of the Chrysler Building in NYC. I'd probably opt to leave it. If too much smaller, I don't think it would work, and definitely not much bigger. Much more distinctive that a simple knob of finial.
Maybe think about what I would call Japanese inspired top - something like below - If you are unsure of the clamshell.
Or some form of a temple arch
Maybe think about what I would call Japanese inspired top - something like below - If you are unsure of the clamshell.
Or some form of a temple arch
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
@barry richardson … no meaning to it. Originally, it was round on the top of it but it seemed to chunky so I put the 3 curves in it. Now it looks like a duck foot.
@Mike Hill … Thanks Mike, I do like those ideas. Not sure what I will do, thinking about a cross as well.
@Mike Hill … Thanks Mike, I do like those ideas. Not sure what I will do, thinking about a cross as well.
Great job on the urn. Not a huge fan of the clamshell topper. First impression…..looks a little too much like a box of tissues 
Just a thought- a glue up with the same wood as the urn. Thinking horizontal(!)
Include a couple stripes to match the urn. Something 3/4 or 1” sq. About the same width as the tallest platform. Elevated a bit (3/4” ?) above the urn.
Just a thought -
good luck. I’m sure it will come to you.
Just a thought- a glue up with the same wood as the urn. Thinking horizontal(!)
Include a couple stripes to match the urn. Something 3/4 or 1” sq. About the same width as the tallest platform. Elevated a bit (3/4” ?) above the urn.
Just a thought -
good luck. I’m sure it will come to you.
My first thought was the same as Mike's. I do like the clamshell, but may give others the thought of a famous NYC building.
As with others, my thoughts are to go with a horizontal finial as a counter to the vertical lines.
One idea is two horizontal pieces of different widths to bring the different widths of the corner splines detail out. Could then have a single or double vertical. I like the idea of using the curved horizontal in Mike's last picture. Here is a bad sketch to illustrate my description.
I like John's idea to keep it relatively narrow and low to the top so it wouldn't give the impression of a handle.
As with others, my thoughts are to go with a horizontal finial as a counter to the vertical lines.
One idea is two horizontal pieces of different widths to bring the different widths of the corner splines detail out. Could then have a single or double vertical. I like the idea of using the curved horizontal in Mike's last picture. Here is a bad sketch to illustrate my description.
I like John's idea to keep it relatively narrow and low to the top so it wouldn't give the impression of a handle.
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Very nice box and design. The clam shell IMO is much larger than it needs to be and my eye was drawn to it because of its proportion. It was the first thing I saw instead of a beautiful urn.
Like the others I think the clamshell on top is so large it becomes a distraction. I'd look for something that specifically links with pet. For example, if you have the license tag, perhaps make a wood holder for the tag. Otherwise, not sure you need any kind of topper. Just bring the "wedding cake" to a nice conclusion with one more smaller step. If you feel like some kind of topper is preferred, I like Tim's suggestion because they resemble crosses, a symbol typically associated with a memorial box.
By any chance do you have a laser engraver? If not it’s a great excuse to get a new tool. Look up Laserpecker. I use it to sign my work now.
My best friend lost his dog last year. Since his girlfriend had Sophie’s collar, I made this shadowbox for him and used the engraver. The picture doesn‘t have the glass in it which made it easier to photograph. It’s the one time it felt good to make your bud cry when i gave it to him as a surprise for Christmas.
Getting To the point, the LaserPecker laser can use a photo and burn the image in the wood.
Since you were looking for suggestions, I would remake the top with a slight overhang that matches the legs which conceals the joint and inlay a piece of that maple with the engraved dog’s picture and save the clamshell for another project.
My best friend lost his dog last year. Since his girlfriend had Sophie’s collar, I made this shadowbox for him and used the engraver. The picture doesn‘t have the glass in it which made it easier to photograph. It’s the one time it felt good to make your bud cry when i gave it to him as a surprise for Christmas.
Getting To the point, the LaserPecker laser can use a photo and burn the image in the wood.
Since you were looking for suggestions, I would remake the top with a slight overhang that matches the legs which conceals the joint and inlay a piece of that maple with the engraved dog’s picture and save the clamshell for another project.
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