Hello everyone,
I hope this update finds you well! I wanted to give you a sneak peek into the progress of the antique newspaper-lined Shaker boxes and share some additional updates.
I’m happy to report that everything is on schedule, and I anticipate completing the Shaker boxes around the second week of September. Customers who requested a box will receive invoices shortly thereafter, and any extra boxes should be listed on my website around the third week of September.
Please see below for a few photos and additional updates, including our new Shaker box lumber offerings!
To help keep you updated, I’ve recently added a rough schedule to my website. This schedule provides a general idea of when new items will be listed for sale and when I plan to start and finish future batches. I hope this will be helpful for everyone—especially if you’re looking to purchase an item for a special occasion. You can check out the schedule by Clicking Here.
I’ve received a couple of questions on social media asking if the newspapers used in these Shaker boxes were antique or reproduction prints. To clarify, the newspaper linings are made from genuine antique newspapers, all pre-1900, with dates in this batch ranging from approximately 1840 to 1890. These were carefully sourced from antique shops here in Maine, with an emphasis on finding papers that were not suitable for conservation on their own (for instance, if a large piece was missing). Tricia used acrylic templates to select the best sections, ensuring that each Shaker box has something interesting to look at or read, while also trying to find pieces with minimal damage.
Due to the age of these newspapers, you may notice some variations in the paper, such as minor water stains, color shifts (especially where the paper was folded), minor rips (which have been glued down and won’t get any worse), and minor holes (which are less noticeable due to the off-white paint behind the paper). These characteristics vary from piece to piece—some may have hardly any, while others have more. Personally, I believe these nuances add to the Shaker box's character, making each one truly unique. When you see it, there’s no doubt it’s the real deal! I’ve included a couple of photographs showing examples of these “imperfections.”
In the Photos: Tricia carefully selecting the best pieces to use for our Shaker boxes. An example of discoloration at a seam—this type of variation can be expected in most boxes.
I’ve also received some questions regarding the durability of the newspaper lining, so I wanted to explain the process. Each Shaker box interior is first painted off-white, which helps highlight the text and conceal any minor pinholes or tears. The newspaper is then sprayed with an acrylic sealer to strengthen the fibers and prevent the ink from running. Once dry, the wood is moistened with water, and the back of the paper is completely covered with glue before being carefully squeegeed onto the wood to help remove any wrinkles. The following day, a top coat of clear adhesive is applied to fully encapsulate the paper, followed by another coat of acrylic for added protection and to help the cover slide on and off smoothly. The paper is surprisingly tough after being applied—I can attest to that from trying to sand off mistakes!
Please choose whichever option works best for you.
If you’ve been on my website recently, you may have noticed a new section where I'm offering Shaker box lumber. With other box makers having difficulty sourcing materials recently, many reached out to see if I’d be willing to sell some of mine, knowing that I mill it on-site. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, so I figured now was a good time to start. While I don’t plan to make lumber sales a major part of my business, it might be a nice sideline for the future. Choices are limited at the moment, but I plan to add more species, forms, templates, and possibly even a video instructional series for those interested in making a Shaker box themselves. Hopefully, this helps in some small way to keep the Shaker box craft alive! You can view the materials being offered by Clicking Here!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you once again for your continued support—it’s very much appreciated!
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Kathleen Da Souza
September 17, 2024
I received my shaker box today and just love it with that vintage news paper. I want to order more.