I appreciate all of the great info I have been getting from everyone on the forum, so I thought I share some more of my starter projects. I have been building keepsake boxes as a way of developing my skills and I thought I would share the first 3 boxes.
The two together are from my "wood floor" series. My in laws (and neighbors) install solid maple flooring 8 years ago and have tons left over. After I saw off the finish and the grooves on the bottom, I am left with boards of various lengths that are ~3/8" x 3 3/8". The one with the walnut handle is just finished with a rattle can shellac. The other is with Danish oil (which it turn yellow).
The other box is Angelique Wood with an ambrosia maple panel insert and more the maple flooring lining the inside (yeah it is a little heavy). The finish is BLO, wiping poly and wax.
Of course, I bought the Angelique and sawed it up before researching it in detail. Little did I know that because of the high silica content, it is "a little hard" on saw blades. Lesson learned.
Also, I went cheap on the hinges. A mistake I will not repeat again.