Margarita Boards

A a small batch of edge-grain cutting boards made from 8/4 hard maple.

I wanted something functional first, but with a small twist—so each board includes a carved “margarita rimming” pocket for salt, sugar, or tajín. The pockets were cut on the Shaper Origin, allowing me to experiment with shallow pocketing and decorative geometry without turning the boards into novelty pieces.

Names of friends and family were engraved along the edges using the Shaper with an engrave bit. It makes the gift feel a little more personal for the holidays.

The boards are finished with a homemade blend I jokingly call Big Mac’s Board Butter—a sous vide mixture of beeswax and mineral oil. Heat, mix, let cool, and you end up with a soft paste that’s easy to apply and leaves the surface feeling smooth without getting greasy.

One small but important detail: mineral oil should be USP grade (the kind sold in the digestive/medical section). It’s food-safe, inexpensive, and works exactly as intended for cutting boards.

Simple material, simple process, and a good reminder that small details can carry most of the personality.