Glarner Design
Chris Kamm


It was a mighty fine fall day in October of 2004, and I was on my way to visit with Chris at his shop in Arden, North Carolina. I rolled out of the Balsam Mountains and was heading back southeast. I found a particularly pleasant byway and pulled over to enjoy my lunch and one of Western North Carolina's perfect postcard vistas.

I navigated through Asheville, stopped at the Farmer's Market to pick up some honey, and then headed south on I-26 and found my way to Chris's shop. Chris was waiting for me, and he had prepared a "show and tell" about how he makes his signature jewelry boxes. As with every other artisan I have visited, "I see it done, but don't know how they do it!"

The box making was fascinating, but Chris's stories of his "on the road" life in the Gold Country of California were stiff competition. Chris apprenticed with a master craftsman and later operated his own studio. The "road" finally called, and Chris moved to Asheville and established his shop in Arden.

These boxes have a calming effect as, somehow, Chris builds in a little of his soft spoken spirit along with the wood and glue.
  medallion box
$90
  This box is 5 inches by 5 inches by 3 inches. It is made from cherry and figured sugar maple. It has a soft black liner. This box is ideal for holding a special treasure.
  shakespeare valet box
$84
  This box is 6 inches by 7 inches by 3 inches. It is made from curly maple and rosewood. It has a soft black liner and two divisions.
  golden rectangle box
$90
  This box is 9 inches by 6 inches by 3 inches. It is made from curly maple and dyed birds eye maple. It has a black, suede, kidskin liner.
  jewelry box - 2 tier
$290
  This jewelry box is 11 inches by 8 inches by 3 1/2 inches. It is made from curly maple and burled maple. It has a soft black liner. The box has 3 compartments. There are two removable trays. The bottom compartment has an unusual division arrangement.
  jewelry box - 3 tier
$390
  This jewelry box is 13 inches by 10 inches by 4 inches. It is made from curly maple and bubinga pommelle. It has a soft black liner. This box has 3 tiers with 3 removable trays. The bottom compartment has an unusual division arrangement.
 
  curiosity boxes
$20
  These boxes are 3 inches by 3 inches by 2 inches. They are made from curly maple and a variety of different woods for the tops. The boxes do not open. They are filled with and assortment of interesting objects to keep you guessing about the contents. Ideal as a paperweight and stress reliever.