While I don't consider myself a "pack rat", my family might argue the point.  The trouble is that as a craftsman and a maker, I tend to see the value of raw material and what's hidden inside where others see "junk".

A perfect case in point is a dirty old board given to me by a friend nearly 25 years ago.  When a colleague of mine at my first professional job found out I was a woodworker, he generously offered me a vintage board that he was given by his father.  He told me it was salvaged from the top of the family’s harpsichord.  

Although the shellac finish on the outside was already dirty from age making identification of the wood species impossible, I knew musical instruments were typically made from exceptional hardwoods.  The inside finish was better, having more figured grain and appeared to be some form of rosewood.  I certainly couldn't turn it down, so added it to my collection.

Fast forward 25 years and this board has moved from state to state with me three times for more than 1700 miles.  It's long overdue for transformation into something beautiful giving it new life.  Watch the following video to hear more of the wood's interesting story and see what it becomes.

I hope my friend would agree that this rare wood has been given new life as a distinctive shaker carrier.  It already has a place of honor in our family room sideboard, prompting curiosity from many visiting friends.  I'm pleased the wood has been finally put to good use after all these years and hope the transformation motivation continues for more of my numerous finds.