Craft Traditions

Tonight I am going to stray away from scroll sawing just a bit. I found this video series on YouTube and wanted to share it with you guys. It is a beautifully made documentary of a few Irish craftsmen and women. What you can take away from the series is the passion and love these people have for their craft.

Passion for what you do is so important. It's the passion and care that drives you to take a simple craft project and turn it into a true piece of art. Anyone can put pencil to paper or blade to wood but true art is born of passion and determination to produce the best project your skills can manage.

Your passion for your craft will show in every piece you produce. Taking the extra time to learn to master your cuts, perfect your sanding and study proper presentation will separate your work from the crowd.

Very few of us are in this hobby to mass produce scroll saw pieces. Take your time and put a bit of your passion in every piece you make.

Enjoy the videos and I hope it inspires you to take your craft to the next level.

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Text Queen Scroll Saw Pattern

If you don't understand this pattern then you probably don't have a teenage daughter with a cell phone. Text messaging is as natural a way to communicate for kids as talking. My daughter could sit in the backseat of our car and talk to us while she typed on her phone without even looking at it. LOL.



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Chinese Fish Scroll Saw pattern

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Reader Spotlight. Meet Peter Brown

Many of us have had mentors in our life. Teachers, friends or family. Peter grew up watching his father build custom cabinets. He was fascinated that his dad could take wood and glue and build beautiful pieces. From an early age Peter knew he wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps.

Seven years ago Peter picked up a Creative Woodworks and Crafts magazine. He knew he could do the projects in the magazine. He also knew it would make his father proud that he was a chip off the old block.

Peter uses his 16" Craftsman scroll saw to make many different types of fretwork projects. Like so many of us he loves sitting at his saw and enjoying the peace of mind that the hobby can give us. He also likes the fellowship with other talented scrollers the hobby has given him

Make sure to check out Peter's website where he sells many of his wonderful projects

Take a look at a few of the pictures Peter sent below. Nice stuff Peter. Keep making that sawdust.






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Mister Blackjack Scroll Saw Pattern

Another word art pattern for you to cut. These word art patterns are a great way to start scrolling if you are new to the hobby. Get some clear pine or poplar and you can make several cuttings from a 6 foot board. You will get some great practice without spending too much money on materials.



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That's How I Roll Scroll Saw Pattern

Here is a word art pattern for all the bowlers out there.

I am once again way behind on answering my email. If you have not received a replay be patient with me and I'll eventually get to them.




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Old Truck Scroll Saw Pattern

I sat down tonight and designed this Old Truck Pattern. I was able to cut and assemble it in about four hours. The pattern includes all cutting diagrams but you will need to study the pictures for assembly. I used walnut and maple for my truck. I like the contrast of these woods so I use them together a lot.

You could spend some extra effort and add accessories. A radiator cap, lights, license plate, cargo in the back, hunting gun, tool box you get the idea.

The doors pivot on small brads that are inserted in holes drilled in the top and bottom.

About a year ago I designed an old car pattern. This would make a good set if you used the same woods to cut each pattern. You can find the Old Car pattern in the online free catalog.

If you guys have trouble with the assembly let me know and I'll do a video showing the detail and techniques.





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We have a winner.

Last night I posted the Rat Race pattern. I put out a challenge for the first completed clock. Roger was first and will get a 10$ Amazon gift certificate. Congrats Roger. I'll send out the certificate in a few minutes.

I had several emails today commenting on the Rat pattern. A few loved it and a few did not much care for it but it was downloaded several hundred time over night. Either it was not as bad as I thought or a bunch of people needed the 10 bucks. :)



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It's a Rat Race

I have no idea who you would make this clock for. Folks I sit here every night and work on new patterns. I draw them in Corel Draw and they seem like a good idea. I convert them to pdf files and they seem like a good idea. I upload them to the server and they seem like a good idea. I start a new blog post and they seem like a good idea.

Then I have to sit here and tell you guys why the pattern is a good idea. Well I have no words for this one. It stinks but it's funny. $10 Amazon email gift certificate to the first person to send me a picture of this completed project. My wife says I won't have to payout this one. :)



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I feel like a proud papa tonight.

I received this picture in an email tonight from Robert aka Sawduster Scroller. Robert took second place at a woodworkers show over the weekend in Raleigh, NC. When I posted the pattern of this guitar here on the Scrollsaw Workshop a couple weeks ago he fell in love with the project. Needless to say the judges loved it also. Thanks Robert you made my night.


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24/7 Scrollsaw Workshop Video Network.

Click Me

Can't get enough Scrollsaw Workshop? How about a 24 hours a day 7 days a week video network? That's right! I have a new feature on the blog. When you visit my blog look in the left hand column for the graphic above. Click the icon and you will be taken to the video stream.

This is in beta right now. I'll be making changes to the programming over the next few weeks. Let me know about any issues you have. The streaming video will require a moderately fast internet connection.

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Reader Spotlight. Meet Robert D'Alimonte

Bob lives in Amherst New York. He has been scrolling for about 5 years. When he started out he purchased an entry level saw and soon became hooked. His scrolling nearly turned into an obsession. He started buying books, magazines and searching the web for information. That sounds familiar does it not.

Bob was inspired by Gary Browning's Scroll Saw Portrait's book. Like many he was amazed that you could create a portrait of a loved one in wood. He later found Jeff Zaffino's Amazing patterns and like many of us was in awe of his work. He followed Jeff's articles in the magazines about running a business from the craft. Bod is a full time programmer and software architech. He would eventually like to transition into full time woodworking.

After his 16" Craftsman scroll saw finally bit the dust he purchased an Eclipse scroll saw. He has found the saw almost vibration free and a joy to use. He says his purchase from Ernie Mellon and the way the saw performs exceeded his expectations.

Bob is still doing scrolling part time but has recently opened a web site to sell his work. Amherst Woodworks . Please take a minute to visit his site and say hello.

The pictures below are just a sampling of the beautiful work Bob produces. Thanks Bob for taking the time to share your story with us.





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"You are the Anchor" Scroll Saw Pattern by Ken Chastain

This pattern is the continuation of patterns from my friend Ken Chastain. Ken has come up with several ideas that we will continue to post over the next few days. Keep watching....



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Honey Do Scroll Saw Pattern by Ken Chastain

Ken Chastain stopped by my shop today with pattern ideas in hand. We sat down and designed a few for you guys to cut. This is the first of a series that we will be doing together. Thanks Ken.


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Transportation and Car Patterns by Lee Neiden

Lee Neiden

I get request for muscle car patterns all the time. I have tried but I'm terrible at them. I was talking to Lee Neiden from North Eastern Ohio Scrollers last night and he told me he had published a book of Transportation patterns. There are several nice car patterns in the book. You will also find aviation, trucks and more.

Lee publishes the book through LULU.com. There are two version available. The download version is $15 and the paperback is $27. If this type of pattern is of interest to you visit here and buy a copy of Lees book.




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Music Clock with Pendulum Scroll Saw Pattern

Here is a mini pendulum clock with a music theme. The clock is a 1 7/16" mini insert. You can buy the clock insert and the pendulum drive unit at Wildwood Designs.

Below is a very short video so you can see the pendulum in action. Exciting stuff huh?


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Dragon Letter Opener Scroll Saw Pattern

On 3/11/09 I published a Dragon Desk Set pattern. I decided it needed a matching letter opener. After you cut the pattern it is best if you have a power sander to sharpen the blade.

A couple days ago I added a chat room to the blog. I have not made up my mind if it a feature that I want to have on the site or not. I want to do a weekly get together and I'm trying to decide between the chat room and the live video feed. I plan to be in the chat room Thursday at 10pm Eastern time. If you have time stop by and we can talk scrolling or anything you like. You can enter the chat room by clicking the chat icon in the left column of the blog. Hope to see a few of you there.




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Cat and Dog Lover Scroll Saw Pattern

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Reader Spotlight. Meet William Day.

Six months ago Williams wife decided to buy him a scroll saw for his birthday. William was underwhelmed to say the least. He could not imagine what in the world he could do with a scroll saw. Well six months later he is the owner of four scroll saws and is a self proclaimed scroll saw addict. Funny how wives know more about what we like than we do.

William lives in Vicksburg Mississippi. He had a serious accident in which he broke his back in six places. Woodworking has become a therapy for the recovery. The physical and mental pain from such a serious injury can be extremely difficult to overcome. A hobby can be great medicine. William has eight wonderful children that are also showing an interest in woodworking. Looks like they have a great mentor to look up to.

Check out some of the beautiful work William has produced. His disability has not kept him from gaining skill on the scroll saw. These are pieces even a seasoned pro would be happy to show off.

William is working on a web site but in the mean time you can check out his work at Etsy.





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Jigsaw Puzzle Template Book Demonstration

This post is a demonstration of the Jigsaw Puzzle Template book that I have for sale on the blog. I have had the book for sale for quite some time and I wanted to update the video demonstration. I also wanted to design a couple jigsaw puzzle boxes to keep the puzzles in. The box patterns are free to download.

The template book is for sale at the top of the blog for $7. The book includes the templates for different size puzzles.

The template book along with the boxes make a very nice family heirloom. The templates make cutting the jigsaw puzzle a snap and the video will show you everything you need to know to make the puzzles.







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