I’ve always loved dogs but we ended up rescuing a cat about 9 years ago.

The cat never bugs my wife but has several tricks in her repertoire to get me up. Standing on my chest, on my kneecaps and other body parts.

When that fails, she will jiggle cords or push stuff off the dresser and nightstand.

Not safe for watches. Most would say not safe for the cat either, but I am a sucker for animals, and she knows it.

A couple weeks ago I bought a nice old wooden box at an antique store. I overpaid but it is much nicer than most thrift store boxes.

I decided to use it for my nightstand watch box. I have one of those valets with slots for change, keys and wallet but I don’t trust it enough with this cat.

Since I have a leather hobby, I made an insert for my watch. I was initially going to use wood or cork and cover it with leather, but decided instead to use all leather, like the heel of a well made shoe.

My insert was a bit tight at first and it has expanded the corners of the box a bit. I sanded the insert a bit and it fits better. I may fix those corners one day, or not.

Photos. (And then show me what you use).

 

Nice work!! Shame about the corners of the box, but likely an easy fix, a little glue and a compression strap would do the trick.

 

Wow, Steve! This is gorgeous and incredibly cool- very nice work. Also, Dibs- should you ever tire of it but I’m realistic and know that’s unlikely.

 

Nice! I would have paid a little more for that box too. I have a thing for vintage boxes, always have to look at them at the antique stores.

Just as an FYI, sterling silver cigarette boxes with the wood linings make an excellent faraday cage for key fobs.

An all metal box with a leather lining would do the same I assume

 

Our kid's young cat bothers any one of us when it's time to wake up but limits his harassing of my wife and kid to standing on top of them similar to yours. For me, he pulls out all the stops and bites my feet or ankles. He wants food NOW

 

Very nice box and leather craftwork! Congrats on both your acquisition and your craft skills. I'm thinking that perhaps you can place a mat under or near your box, impregnated with a pet repellent of some type to keep the cat's naughty paws at bay

 

Thank you! I always thought that this could keep the cat at bay… and I always try to convince my wife. I even add it to the grocery list. But without success…easier to get support for a new watch!

@janice&fred the cat bowl is great!

 

This is beautiful Steve. Really inspiring, creative and well thought out.

Fix the corners so your cat will respect you

 

That will never happen. It's a cat.

 

This might be good reading for you

 

And this book



https://www.amazon.com/earth-flat-cats-would-everything/dp/1672451019

 

Nice set up. But having both dogs and cats for years, my suggestion is just close the door and keep the cat out of the bedroom.

 

Kitties love playing the gravity game. Not good for watches.

 

Your work is becoming much too professional, Steve, it no longer has that appealing folksy style.

Regarding the bedside table, I'm not sure I'm allowed to do that. The master bedroom, closet, and bath pretty much belong to Mrs. S. I get to keep all my stuff in one of the secondary bedrooms and use a different bathroom. Works for us.

My dogs also play get-up-and-feed-me games, but fortunately my 85 lb Siberian Pitbull doesn't stand on my chest.

 

Are you my alternate universe twin?

My Darlin uses the main bedroom WIR and the main bathroom.
I use the ensuite and store a lot of my stuff in the guest room wardrobe (and on the bed).

Thankfully no domestic pets, we appreciate the wildlife and no feeding/poop scooping involved.

 

The box needs to be fixed Steve, it's. too nice to ignore the splits. It should come apart fairly easily.
Then you can clean up the joints, glue and clamp it up and it'll last for many more years.

 

Lovely piece and innovative way to use it - perfect for vintage watches as well. Maybe get the cat a day job….
.

 

Following some sound advice. I removed the insert and the box is at a woodworking friend’s shop for some restoration. Thanks!

 

Can’t wait to see the final outcome. I was thinking that yoga blocks would make good inserts for a variety of boxes one might find in vintage shops. They come in a few sizes (thick and thin) and are made of foam or cork, so they don’t weigh much. They would be pretty easy to cut and carve to shape and could be easy enough to wrap with leather or fabric. The cost is less than $15 or so for a pair at Winners




And maybe store your Flightmaster along with this photo as a non-toxic cat repellent

 

I hope that pilot has a visor.