Masterpiece Cutting Board

The design is stunning but making it is simple; all you do is cut and glue scraps of wood.

This cutting board dazzles the eye, but making it is easy: Just cut strips of wood and glue them together. I used walnut and maple scraps cut at increments of 1/8 in., but the variations are endless. I made four versions of this design and got smarter with each—and I’ve shared my lessons on the following pages.

EASIER THAN IT SEEMS KEEP IT SIMPLE OR GET FANCY This design works well as a basic rectangle. Or you can dress up your cutting board with curves. A juice groove contains messes and adds visual pizzazz. Cut two strips of each width—one from maple, one from walnut. The strips differ by increments of 1/8 in., so the widths are: 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 1, 1-1/8 and 1-1/4 in.