Welcome to this edition of Creative Woodworks & Crafts! The challenge for each issue is to be (as our title implies) as creative as possible. That means thinking "outside the box," so it's ironic that one of this edition's most innovative projects is...a box!

It's Roy King's "Britannia Art Box," and it's the first in a series of three boxes which Roy has designed for Creative Woodworks & Crafts. Each one is different, yet they all use Roy's magnetized swivel lids as well as some innovative techniques, such as "kerfing."

When Roy showed me some of his early prototypes last July, I felt strongly that he was onto something special, partly because they looked good, but also because they represented a potentially new direction for scrolling.

Shown here is Roy's "Anika Box," which will be featured in next month's issue. The box is actually suspended in mid-air, ever so slightly above its base, demonstrating the power of the small magnets that are used to hold the box aloft. The sides of the box are adorned with parallel kerf lines, hence the term "kerfing." We'd like to hear your feedback on this new line of projects. Thanks for your hard work, Roy!

Our Readers' Gallery continues to turn up new ideas, and reminds us that, for many of you, the patterns we provide serve as springboards to your own creativity. Designs are often combined, modified, colored, etc., and the results are nothing short of inspirational. Thanks for being such a talented group of woodworkers!

We hope 2009 brings you all health and happiness, and that you continue to enjoy your woodworking throughout the year!

Sincerely,

Robert Becker