My scent boxes

#1
Took me some time but finally managed to complete what I started 8 months ago. Most of you should know by now that I am very particular (or nerdy) about proper oil storage. There was a thread on the comparison between sturdy glass bottle and v vials, and I believe I had clearly articulate my reasoning for choosing the latter. I wanted to create an olfactory library for future generations, to prepare for the day when wild agarwood extinction is truly upon us or our favourite distillers decided to retire for whatever reason. [emoji29]

Hence optimum storage condition is very critical and that is when I started doing research on the various storage media, before choosing v-vials as my preferred choice of storage. Now being a super nerd, I cannot settle for a simple box or drawer to keep my oils as that would be too sacrilegious! After all we are talking about creating an olfactory reference database for generations to come! [emoji36]Such an holy grail only deserves the most beautiful box to house the most fragrant gifts of nature! [emoji57]

Paulownia box is the preferred choice of storage for the Japanese. Do a quick google search and you will see the many benefits of this wood material (don't want to bore you with too many technicality). A quick search on Ebay and bought some nice boxes with the appropriate dimensions. I also went to Daiso (local $2 shop) to buy some dividers to better separate and keep the glass bottles in place.



But the box is too plain and not lavish enough. I needed something more elaborate for my heirloom box. So I went to Etsy and bought some very beautiful vintage Japanese Tango Chirime silk (quick google search will tell you the quality of this silk).

I decided to line the interior of the box with the silk lining to create a more luxurious look and feel.

Storage box for my agarwood chips

My sandalwood boxes



Though I was quite pleased with my works, I still felt that something was missing. [emoji848]The box was fast becoming too small for my growing collections and it also could not accommodate the different sizes of my v vials despite using the dividers. Solution? Simple, I just need to get a custom fit box to suit my needs! [emoji16]

So I went back to Etsy again and manage to find a skilled carpenter to take on my projects.

First project: Ebony box to house my Kyara

Bigger surface area allow me the option to further beautify the box

Home sweet home for my Kyara

Feeling very happy with the new box design, I decided to engage my friend (the carpenter who is a very nice guy and became interested in Oud through our engagement [emoji38]) for more challenging projects. This time I wanted to custom make 2 more boxes to house my agarwood oils. One box to preserve all the beloved artistic creations of our distillers and one box for my own personal daily uses.

Second project: Ebony box - 'Time Capsule'


100 individual slots for 0.3ml v vials


Third project: Rosewood box - Personal scent box

I decided to go for rosewood instead as it is relatively lighter. I foresee this box might see a fair bit of traveling. [emoji57]

Very challenging to silk line and create the individual compartments...keep reminding myself never ever to do this again! [emoji23]


Different compartments to cater to different sizes of the glass vials


There you have it, my epic search journey for the most beautiful (at least in my opinion [emoji4]) heirloom boxes to keep my precious oils.

Hope you enjoy it and appreciate any comments and feedbacks!
 
Last edited:
#8
Took me some time but finally managed to complete what I started 8 months ago. Most of you should know by now that I am very particular (or nerdy) about proper oil storage. There was a thread on the comparison between sturdy glass bottle and v vials, and I believe I had clearly articulate my reasoning for choosing the latter. I wanted to create an olfactory library for future generations, to prepare for the day when wild agarwood extinction is truly upon us or our favourite distillers decided to retire for whatever reason. [emoji29]

Hence optimum storage condition is very critical and that is when I started doing research on the various storage media, before choosing v-vials as my preferred choice of storage. Now being a super nerd, I cannot settle for a simple box or drawer to keep my oils as that would be too sacrilegious! After all we are talking about creating an olfactory reference database for generations to come! [emoji36]Such an holy grail only deserves the most beautiful box to house the most fragrant gifts of nature! [emoji57]

Paulownia box is the preferred choice of storage for the Japanese. Do a quick google search and you will see the many benefits of this wood material (don't want to bore you with too many technicality). A quick search on Ebay and bought some nice boxes with the appropriate dimensions. I also went to Daiso (local $2 shop) to buy some dividers to better separate and keep the glass bottles in place.




But the box is too plain and not lavish enough. I needed something more elaborate for my heirloom box. So I went to Etsy and bought some very beautiful vintage Japanese Tango Chirime silk (quick google search will tell you the quality of this silk).

I decided to line the interior of the box with the silk lining to create a more luxurious look and feel.

Storage box for my agarwood chips


My sandalwood boxes




Though I was quite pleased with my works, I still felt that something was missing. [emoji848]The box was fast becoming too small for my growing collections and it also could not accommodate the different sizes of my v vials despite using the dividers. Solution? Simple, I just need to get a custom fit box to suit my needs! [emoji16]

So I went back to Etsy again and manage to find a skilled carpenter to take on my projects.

First project: Ebony box to house my Kyara


Bigger surface area allow me the option to further beautify the box


Home sweet home for my Kyara


Feeling very happy with the new box design, I decided to engage my friend (the carpenter who is a very nice guy and became interested in Oud through our engagement [emoji38]) for more challenging projects. This time I wanted to custom make 2 more boxes to house my agarwood oils. One box to persevere all the beloved artistic creations of our distillers and one box for my own personal daily uses.

Second project: Ebony box - 'Time Capsule'


100 individual slots for 0.3ml v vials



Third project: Rosewood box - Personal scent box

I decided to go for rosewood instead as it is relatively lighter. I foresee this box might see a fair bit of traveling. [emoji57]

Very challenging to silk line and create the individual compartments...keep reminding myself never ever to do this again! [emoji23]


Different compartments to cater to different sizes of the glass vials



There you have it, my epic search journey for the most beautiful (at least in my opinion [emoji4]) heirloom boxes to keep my precious oils.

Hope you enjoy it and appreciate any comments and feedbacks!
swoon *thud*
 

kooolaid79

Well-Known Member
#9
Wow just speechless. Beautiful pieces of art for something so precious. Truly an honor to see the completion of those fine projects!!
 
#10
In the case of the last photo, are you using those little jars to house your sample vials? Or is there wood in those jars?!
Are you referring to this photo?


No, I use the glass jar to store my woods and they come in different sizes.




Very impressed! You are a very organized person @Oud Learner . This thread ingnited a sudden urge to plan a trip to Singapore :)
Sure thing! More than welcome to host you and i am pretty sure Ensar too! Alternatively I am trying to arrange to drop by Taha for a visit and we can meet up at his place too. Or we can do both! [emoji4]
 
#11
Are you referring to this photo?


No, I use the glass jar to store my woods and they come in different sizes.






Sure thing! More than welcome to host you and i am pretty sure Ensar too! Alternatively I am trying to arrange to drop by Taha for a visit and we can meet up at his place too. Or we can do both! [emoji4]
Beautiful!
I was referring to the picture with A35, A35 and A59 (Oud Ahmed and Royale etc). Its looks as if there is a sample vial within the jar.
 

PEARL

Well-Known Member
#13
@Oud Learner I am supremely impressed with what you've accomplished!!!!!!!!!

The paulownia wood boxes are called tomobako. Some incense houses use them for their higher end incense but they are usually way to small to store oud bottles. I see them mostly used by tea ware artisans to protect their products. I have a few that house my Yumoni, various cups and my Yamada Sou kyusus. The paulownia wood adapts to changes in climate as well.
Great minds think alike. I thought long ago to use them to store the original artisan oil boxes as they can hold ~6 of those upright with a little space on the side for wood and stuffs. But then where to put the teaware when not in use as I've not been able to find the boxes empty. Thought of asking Toru at Artistic Nippon if he could source me some empty ones.

@Oud Learner which carpenter and where did you find your boxes? And, if I'm not able to find them, is it at all possible that I can have all of yours? Oils included of course. Cheers
 

Oudamberlove

Well-Known Member
#14
@Oud Learner
Oud oils and woods are very multidimensional already, and you just added another dimension to it with customized/organized storage.

(I nominate you to head the collaboration of a book entitled "Agarwood And Oud Arts". I'm sure a bunch of us can put together a real good one. Ensar can be the Chairman.)

You're choice of Silk with Paulownia just turns my knees to Jelly. Due to a lack of spare time, my bottles are just sitting in a storage tote. Most still in their boxes. There are no markings/labels, so I always go by memory as to which oil is in which box. I get it wrong sometimes. Well at least they sit in the dark at a cool temperature.
 

Ensar Oud

Well-Known Member
#17
Perhaps a collaboration with @kesiro might yield an even more stunning result? Some OCD is required for these things and I know for sure @Oud Learner & @kesiro possess two very different strains of that particular genius (whoever calls it a disorder is misguided).

A symbiotic partnership between an oxyphobe and a mad guitar carving physician might benefit all the parties involved in more ways than one.... :rolleyes:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

kooolaid79

Well-Known Member
#20
Perhaps a collaboration with @kesiro might yield an even more stunning result? Some OCD is required for these things and I know for sure @Oud Learner & @kesiro possess two very different strains of that particular genius (whoever calls it a disorder is misguided).

A symbiotic partnership between an oxyphobe and a mad guitar carving physician might benefit all the parties involved in more ways than one.... :rolleyes:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Always thinking for everyone, Thank you again!!