How It's Done

I primarily use hardwood grown in the Pacific Northwest such as myrtle wood, black walnut, madrone, maple and chinquapin to name a few. If possible, I select each piece of wood from those who cut and mill the wood themselves. Depending upon the characteristics of the wood, I then select marble, granite or onyx for the tiles.

Distinctive inlay patterns are also available and can be viewed in the gallery. If you need chess pieces for your board, I work with a local glass artisan who will produce a set of pieces to match your boards tile
color and wood.

Inlay Materials

Inlayed materials can include a wide variety of domestic and exotic hardwoods depending on the type and color of pattern being used. Wood such as Osage Orange, Purpleheart, Padouk Sycamore, Yew and African Blackwood are just a few of the wide variety of wood currently available.

I work directly with a manufacturer who hand cuts pieces of white, pink, gold and blue mother of pearl that can be incorporated into your board. I also use semi precious stones such as Jasper and Agate as well as antique European and American glass from the 1930's that provide beautiful design elements and which add to the unique qualities of your board.

Process

Your board will not be part of a mass production run where one is an exact copy of the other. Rather each board is unique not only due to the individual elements that you have chosen, but because of the process I use.

I hand select each piece of wood for the frame and trim directly from individuals who cut, mill and dry their own wood. The wood is always of the finest quality which lends itself to the distinctive and unique qualities of each board. I then choose stone, again hand selecting each piece if possible, so that the wood and stone compliment each other. All trim will have either glass or Mother of Pearl on top (this covers the connection that attaches the trim).

If requested, inlay patterns (typically from exotic hardwoods) and other design elements such as dovetail joints, stone or glass are woven into the design. Once completed, your board will be finished with natural and environmentally safe products such as linseed oil, shellac or other products depending upon the wood. Handles that compliment the board are then added.

If you have chosen to purchase a set of glass pieces, I will cut a sample of the tile and deliver them to the glass artesian who will then make a set of pieces that will match your board. You will then have a board which has been signed and numbered delivered to your door.