Mock-ups Can Be Useful
Sometimes sketching something on paper works just fine for thinking out a design…. but sometimes it is just as fast to create a 3-D mock-up. In this case (making a small desk-top shelf to hold a bronze paper weight collection), I decided early on to develop the idea in a full scale mock-up. I liked the idea of curved fronts for each of the two shelves, and I thought that concentric curves would not only be visually appealing, but would step back the top shelf to allow more of the bronzes on the second shelf to show.
After lofting a couple of curves, dadoing the uprights, figuring some proportions, a little bandsaw work and adding a few screws, the mock-up was assembled. I already knew the cantilever of the shelves was not so great that there would be stability issues, but being able to arrange a number of the paperweights confirmed that the proportions were correct. At that point, the client approved the approach and the feather-crotch walnut I had selected for the sides. In resawing the walnut to create the sides and shelves, I decided to lessen the thickness of the sides to lighten the piece.
Next I drew on the sides to indicate where the shelves might notch into the sides. I liked the sense of structure that created and decided to extend the shelves slightly past the sides and back, giving an architectural feel to the piece. Had I needed to, I could have easily modified the mock-up, but I was comfortable picturing the end results. Finally, I thought brass pins in each of the locations where the shelves overlapped the sides would add mechanical strength to each joint and would reflect the bronze of the collection. I was tempted to age the brass with ammonium hydroxide, but the client like the contrast the shine afforded the piece. With the simple oil and wax finish I gave the shelf, the brass will still be able to age.
