How I Fell In Love with Handcrafting Jewelry Boxes

The monastery/ashram where I lived in the 80’s and early 90’s had an incredibly well-equipped woodshop. What began as a contemplative hobby quickly evolved into a vehicle to explore and express my connection to spirit. Entering into quiet, meditative states led me to see details that might escape others’ notice. It led me towards the spiritual aspects of balance, beauty, and getting things “naturally right.” It pulled me through the difficult years of mastering the disciplines of woodworking.

Making My Passion My Livelihood

In the mid-90’s I left the ashram to make my way in the world with my new wife and young son. After 14 years of monastic living the transition was incredibly challenging. Wanting to maintain both my spiritual focus and provide for my family, I designed a line of jewelry boxes and took my chances in the “real world.”

Fortunately, my designs well-received by craft galleries through out the country. Within a year, my work was sold by over a hundred galleries and was featured on the cover the American Craft Association’s literature. These twelve years of my life-curve required crafting relatively large numbers of jewelry boxes at prices that galleries could resell. I spent long hours honing my business skills and training apprentices. Inclusion in a prominent American Craft Museum exhibition crowned my artistic success. Moving jewelry box sales from galleries directly to customers on the web created business success, as well.

Focusing on Customers

The juggling act of working wood, training apprentices, developing internet marketing and directly serving my customers became more than I could handle gracefully. Business growth found me spending less time happy with my passions for wood, customers and family. In the words of a friend, work had become “too much squeeze and not enough juice.”

So, at the end of 2006, my chisels and employees were set aside and I returned to a focus on customers: offering the finest hand crafted jewelry box and customer service available anywhere.

Nowadays

Yes, you can still by the work made by my hands and under my direction, but those days will soon be gone. Instead, you can give me a call and you can receive warm, personal service and the experience of twelve years of mastering the art of jewelry box craftsmanship. The site now offers the largest selection of American-made jewelry boxes anywhere. Through the copy and images you can receive the years of my experience in the comfort of your home or office. Better yet, just give us a call. Chances are you’ll get information and advise straight from the jewelry box maker pictured above. 888-731-5100

“Thank you very much Russ. I want to tell you something. I was very skeptical about spending so much on a jewelry chest. Now it’s one of the things I value most. Now It’s even more special knowing you won’t be making more and how rare my jewelry box is. Thank you again! Heidi Marler, Destin, FL