A First Build, A Lasting Gift: Nikolaus Schiemann’s Keepsake Box

For Nikolaus Schiemann of Kiel, Germany, woodworking began with a deeply personal goal: to craft a keepsake box for his girlfriend using only hand tools. With no prior experience cutting dovetails, he embraced the challenge head-on. The result was a mahogany box full of warmth, intention, and character.

Nikolaus was inspired by a YouTube video by Germán Peraire, whose precision and attention to detail inspired him to use our CB-301 butt hinges. Though he rounded a few screw heads along the way, the final piece was beautiful and meaningful.

Stories like Nikolaus’s remind us why we do what we do. Woodworking isn’t just about flawless performance, it’s about creating pieces with meaning.