"Neat, but I'll never cut it"

[Back2Jake]

From another thread:

Sparhawk says "Man I just posted the other day bragging on how good the holiday issue was. This one looks like it's back to "Neat, but I'll never cut it". Oh well, maybe next time.

Matt "

Matt isn't alone with this thought and I've heard this before. However, the publishers want feedback that they can use. So follow it up with more information.

What do you like?
What do you want to see?
Why would you not cut the projects in the issue? Is it because they require colour, more tools than you have, more time than you can devote to the projects?

How long have you been cutting, and what would challenge you? Or is it that you don't WANT the challenge that some projects may offer. In my opinion, SSWC is the magazine scrollers "graduate to" and can well understand how it might be intimidating for the beginner.

If the projects are not your thing, let the publishers know what is, and why it's not. Otherwise, it's simply a complaint and not constructive, with no solution.

Take care
Toni

[minowevie]

Toni, I don't think I could answer all your quistions. but , one would be, Not my thing, there is many things that are not my thing, that I think, are just grand. intasia for one. some day I will try it for sure. and I have saved alot of patterns to do so. and segmentation, is on my big list of to does. also. some of the callenges. I so would love to join in them, but I have so many patterns, that I would love to do that , thats what I focus on. I could spend a lifetime, joining in everything, that I wouldn't get what I wont to do, done. I think we are all made of differant grit. and try to put what we love first. I am so glad that the magazines, give a big choice. in beginners, and diffacult patterns,and stiles to do.
I have had lots of folks admire my cuttings, and say, thats great, or beautifull, but I would never cut that. I don't take affeanc. just injoy the complement to my work,
Like your work, and Patterns. I think they are wonderfull, and creative, but then, I like fretwork, and other crafts like embroidery, and quilting. I also train horses,and dogs, love to fish, and hunt. it is realy, to each his own. and sharing,
hope I didn't get off track on your subject. but thats what I got out of it. your friend Evie

[Back2Jake]

Evie, I wasn't asking this "personally".

The "neat but I'll never cut it" came from another member here and I thought it would be a good point to expand on. I didn't intend for any focus on CB Designs patterns.

My post was to entice those who think what they see in the magazine is "neat but they will never cut it" to expand on that. Let Shannon and Bob know more. As scrollers, what do we want to see in our magazine.

The thread comes under "Publisher Feedback". It would be nice to give them some, other than complaints about how long it takes for some of us to get the magazine. I believe they have heard this repeatedly and are trying to do something constructive about it.

I for one, am really looking forward to the Jeep in the next issue. I would enjoy seeing more toys from the simple vehicles to the complicated "models" that some design.

Take care
Toni

[minowevie]

Toni, I Don't think I took it personaly.
But you did ask for a personal, oppionion.

Someone said its "Neat but would never cut it" and I think this is just a personal oppenion.

You did singale out this one personal oppionion .
Doesn't this come under ,,,, The Publeshers Feedback? I don't think it was a complaint_ but just a oppinion. based on their likes and dislikes. I fail to see how this is a coment on the delivery of their magazine. confused here i guess.

sorry little sister. but I don't think I am the one taking this personale.

I have been ask to Edit my post. "little sister "is a privat name. not given permition buy the poster to use. so I humbley retraced it. and also, "myfriend" and I so apolagize. to affend you. sorry if I took lebratys, on are friendship. that is not there eather. sad day for me. not every one is a friend. drats

[Back2Jake]

Hmmm, now I'm confused.
Moving on. LOL.

Take care
Toni

[Sparhawk]

Okay, the reason I didn't want to expound on my thoughts is that I am sorely afraid that I will step on toes or that people will take this personal and I in no way mean for it to be taken that way. But since you asked here goes.

I'll try to answer all your questions so I will apologize for the length of this post in advance.

I have been scrolling for about 4 years now. I haven't met a challenge that I'm not up for. At the same time I'm not always looking for a challenge in my hobby but rather I want to get sheer unadulterated enjoyment from it. It seems to me that the word challenge gets thrown around far too often in the scrolling world today and the prospect of enjoyment becomes a side attraction. Nothing wrong with a challenge now and then mind you just not every time I sit down at the saw.

As for why I wouldn't cut the various projects. First I am not into intarsia. I love it, I think it's very beautiful, and I most certainly agree that those patterns should be in any scrollsawing magazine. This just means that I automatically rule out cutting them.

Other things I wouldn't cut are Knickknacks. This is where it's going to get hard because I'm going to have to name certain projects and I don't want the designers to be hurt. The Scroller's Aid comes to mind. The Woodimal puzzles. Actually [u]most[u] of the puzzles. And most any word art where the only thing in the pattern is letters.

Now I will try to explain. Things like the Scroller's Aid in my mind have no practical purpose in my shop. I work a full time job with anywhere from 50 to 60 hours per week. My wife has had a lot of illness and my 2 kids fall to my care most of the time. What I'm getting at here is that the time I get to spend in my shop is precious and limited. The thought of devoting any portion of it to something I will neither be able to use or give away is inconceivable.

As for puzzles I am not against puzzles. I rather enjoy cutting puzzles for my son. But there have been numerous puzzles that I've seen in these pages that no one I know would enjoy. There was a 4 piece puzzle once that was supposed to be solid black. The reaction I got from people when I showed it to them was far from positive. No one has showed any interest in the Woodimal puzzles either. The typical response I've gotten is "It would be a lot better without the letters." Or less postive than that.

Word art that has only letters is really just boring. It's nothing that can't be printed out on most anybody's word processing program. Word art really needs to have some more artistic elements to it. Flowers, ivy, a sailboat, something, anything!

As far as what I like. I enjoy fretwork. Now that you mention coloring I guess I would have to say that if a project requires coloring, it's a turnoff to me. I enjoy seeing the natural colors of wood. Therefore I buy the hardwoods that will yield the hues I want. Painting or other means of coloring when required for a project are an immediate rule out.

John Nelson's patterns are a perfect example of what I enjoy the most. Kevin Daly's and Charles Dearing's patterns are also excellent. I especially enjoy them over designers like Zaffino whose patterns have gone past the point of highly detailed and are now so busy that they are just annoying to even look at. These two still give enough detail while leaving the right amount of wood to be pleasing to the eye.

Rick Longabaugh's patterns are also highly enjoyable and creative. Sue Mey is another designer whose patterns I can always count on to be enjoyable. It's always a pleasure to see what's new coming out of Africa. Her eyes for art have a different twist than the eyes of the people raised in North America.

Some of the specific types of projects I would like to see more of are things like candleholders, jewelry boxes, fretwork statue type pieces, and revamped updated classic patterns.

I will attempt to explain each.

Candleholders are always fun as well as fantastic gifts. Whether they hold a tea light, votive, taper, pillar it doesn't matter. They can be as intricately cut as you want. They always make fantastic gifts and they do provide a use.

Jewelry boxes are something that can be very intricate and beautiful as well as practical and great gifts. I know there have been some jewelry boxes in past issues. Most have been some sort of intarsia or else needed paint. I believe the exception would be something from John Nelson.

As for fretwork statue type pieces mostly what I'm referring to are pieces like those that Wayne and Jacob Fowler design. If anyone is unfamiliar with their work they publish in CW&C. This type of work is usually an animal with fretwork details and can be mounted on a base for display or sometimes as a plaque.

And the classic patterns I mentioned are things like John Nelson is doing. Taking old patterns from the 19th century or so and reworking them. Any of the old Victorian style pieces will do.

Photo frames are another good pattern. Nice tasteful fretwork hardwood frames are great.

Okay I guess I'll wrap this book up. I really hope I have not hurt the feelings of anyone. It was not my intention to do so.

Matt Smith

[Back2Jake]

Matt, your reply was a well put reply with constructive opinions. I'm pleased you expanded on your original thought.

Thanks
Toni

[Back2Jake]

Originally Posted by minowevie

I have been ask to Edit my post. "little sister "is a privat name. not given permition buy the poster to use. so I humbley retraced it. and also, "myfriend" and I so apolagize. to affend you. sorry if I took lebratys, on are friendship. that is not there eather. sad day for me. not every one is a friend. drats

Sheesh..... well since Evie made my private request to edit her post on the forum a public one instead of simply removing the reference to me as her "little sister" I can't let it stand as is.

Family titles such as "sister" are reserved members of my family/tribe/clan. I don't take the reference lightly.Perhaps it might be considered that I lost a sibling that would refer to me as "little sister" and this casual reference from Evie wasn't one I needed to read, especially during the holidays. Perhaps I didn't really want to explain my request and simply asked that she not refer to me as her "little sister".

Sad day for you Evie?

I asked that she respect this request, and didn't mention ANYTHING about not being friends so I have no idea where that comes from. It's a fact of life, not everyone is a friend Evie. That's what makes the ones we do have, so very special and priceless.

Take care
Toni

[CanadianScroller]

Hey Matt no offense taken
There are many people with many interests. I too like victorian fretwork.
I love looking at intarsia but I have yet to try it. I even made my own pattern for a 5 foot Charlie Chaplin.
I am glad I can at times contribute to the magazine, and even more delighted when I see one of my designs being made, but I certainly dont mind if someone doesnt care to make them.
Thanks for your honest opinions, and I know they will be taken to eart.

[Sparhawk]

I'm glad I didn't ruffle your feathers Carl. I think you're a stand up guy.

Matt