Every feel like Heaven is conspiring against you? I feel that way about this project. Between the freezing temperatures, house guests, holidays, kids events, and other work related stuff, I feel like I can’t get anything done in a satisfactory time period for this project. But at least I got a couple of important steps completed.
The inlay work went along pretty smoothly once I got started. My first two tests were total failures, then I figured out what I was doing wrong and test #3 was a success. Once I had everything dialed in, inlaying the Hebrew letters went along very smoothly and it looks nice. Sorry, but I am not going to got into detail about how I did the inlay work. I will say that I did use the double bevel marquetry technique that I learned from David Marks. He has a very good DVD that explains the process, and I would rather you learn it from a Master and not me.
Preview of the inlay
Once the inlay was completed, I put the hole in the back side of the box for the money to come out, and I made the two components for the French cleat. Next step, sanding. Then it will be time for a sun bath! Yup, a sun bath for the cherry to darken it up naturally. I will put the exposed pieces in the window or outside for a little natural tan. Cherry takes on a lovely color when exposed to sunlight and that will increase the color contrast. (of course the finish will help make the cherry get darker too)
After that is complete, I think this will be one of those projects that needs to be finished before the project is assembled. More on that later.
Artisan's Call 
Well Done…
looks good!
I really loved this article, it is well written! I found a website that connects international artisans online, I feel your readers will be interested in the website!
Did you use a router and template for this? If so, do you know where to get the template? I’m working with a guy who does custom woodwork to make a quilt chest for my mom. I doodled out a design for the top with Hebrew writing and he needs a template to do it with his router.