SSW #33 Holiday Issue

[Shannon]

Hello All,

It seems the latest issue is making it to a few mailboxes... Time for my shameless plea.... Please give us feedback - and don't be afraid to hurt our feelings... we need to know what we're doing wrong and what you'd like to see changed... I also want to know what you like - what projects have you anxious to make sawdust?

What do you guys think of Dave Snyder's 3-D technique? The outcome is very similar to Dick Miraglia's - but the technique is so different. I'm anxious to hear what you guys think - which method are you more likely to try?

On that note - check out the "recipe killers" in my letter... What are your project killers?

Who's trying the Sliding Panel Puzzle Box? More power to you! Let us know how you make out!

I must admit, I had fun shopping for the Barbie prop on page 47. With two boys - I never got to re-live my Barbie days. Maybe someday I'll have a granddaughter.

As always - you can post comments here for all to see, send me a private message, or email me at Shannon@FoxChapelPublishing.com.

[Steviegwood]

Hi Shannon, just at a quick look through I can see that the fretwork sleigh and train coin bank will be two that go on my list to do. I also like most of the ornaments. I did notice that someone has used my combat soldier pattern for a memorial plaque. The tea light candle holder went on the wife's list for me to do. I have known about project Rudolph for some time but am glad to see that you all have put together an article to spread the word for a worthy cause. Thanks for all of the work that you all put forth producing such a great magazine. Steve

[marshall]

Shannon : I received my ISSUE 33 just today here in Arkansas . The only thing that really really grabbed my eye was the Toy Train Bank on pg 53. Not to say that its not all good , cause it is . This one was in mind for the grandchildren , just keep up the fine job that your staff has been doing !!!!!!!!!!! A Happy Scrolling Subcriber !!! Marshall

[Jediscroller]

Having looked through it several times, about the only thing that caught my eye was the card holder. I like Kathy Wise's wreath also but I've already done my 1 intarsia piece this year, hehehe. The puzzle box is kind of neat but I don't think I could do it quickly enough for it to be profitable. The rocking chair would've been ok had it been sized for American Girl dolls but I just don't see a market for Barbie sized doll furniture as you can buy mass-produced stuff like this. I completely skipped over the carving thing (speaking of project killers) so I can't really comment on it much. I'm not likely to try either method as I have zero interest in it. To be honest, I was hoping for some more intarsia ornaments similar to last year's and was disappointed that there were none. I did enjoy the ear ring article though I have a little correction. The author indicates that he uses a Forrest Woodworker II blade. These are available in either standard (1/8") or thin kerf which is what he describes (3/32"). They're also available in either 30T or 40T configurations. Not sure which he is using. I also would've liked to see more sources for the findings as I've had a heck of a time finding good jewelry findings, even at Michael's and AC Moore.
Sorry, but the bank did nothing for me, I thought it was just a little too "crafty" for my tastes.

Well, you asked.

[SNAPPER]

Shannon, as usual no complaints here. Already starting on the card holder, using 1/4" Black Walnut.
Dean

[Pajaro]

I just wish that every one who subscribes to the magazine ( regardless of when they subscribe) would get a copy. I am having a hard time finding one.

OH well I did get the Band X magazine's copy.

[utbva]

I too am quite interested in the card holder. I am going to make it and I may even resize it and make a magazine holder. I do like the ornaments and I will make a few of them as well. I do like the detail that Bruce gave for the sliding box and it is something that I may try when I get some time.

I will have to say that the fox hunt is really tricky this time, I haven't found it yet and I have been through the magazine several times.

[lucky788scroller]

Ok, Project killers..hmmmmmm,lets see... A project has to appeal to me, or at least look like a project that is fitting to give to somebody I know after I make it.I dont production cut for a living, so saleability doesnt play into it for me. I have many tools available, and I enjoy building things and using scrolling as a way of putting a project 'over the edge' so to speak.Like the cherry /cedar lined chest I did , it was all tablesaw and router work, but it didnt really look like anything special until I built a chocolate lab intarsia piece and mounted it to the front.When I design some special projects the 4H kids want to make, most often its a furniture piece of some sort, and I usually find a way to dress it up with some scrolling. So yes, I very much like projects that use more than just a drill and scrollsaw.If a project serves a purpose, or has a functional use to it, thats a huge added bonus as well, but it all still mostly comes down if it looks like something I'd like to spend my time doing. Killers.... for me... the crafty look is generally a killer. For instance, the train in the special issue.If I only saw the painted version of the Candy Cane Express, I would have just flipped past that project, Im not a painter! I loved cutting that project out and there were plenty of challenges involved in it, and I loved the outcome of them both, but its the hardwood one that would have made me want to make it.The train bank in the new issue to me is too crafty for my tastes, again, because Im not a painter. I envision my version of that train done in walnut, and possibly maple, red oak, or padauk accents, and definately with different wheels! So one killer for me is paint! Another.... Too much fiddling around to get things right.I like the candleholder on page 40 , but not enough that I will spend all the time involved to get all the joints perfect. If the joints are not perfect, that piece just doesnt look right to me. In comparing the walnut one on page 40 with the oak ply one on page 41,it is evident that if the joints arent perfect it shows. One other gripe as long as Im on it and is a huge turnoff to me is fuzzies, mainly untrimmed fuzzies.Im glad to say SSWC rarely ever has issues with this in their magazine, but when I see projects photoed that are obviously hastily done, with fuzzies hanging all over the completed projects, some not even appearing to have finish on them, it not only turns me off to them designs, but to me it looks bad for the whole publication, to allow some things to be acceptable for print like that.Again, the most recent noticeable things I am referring to were not in SSWC thankfully. Portrait style cuttings with what I refer to as "noise" (to many distracting holes cut without a real benefit to the subject) is a huge turnoff to me.I still havent figured out carving, so I shy away from that still, but over time that may change. Lastly, Id like to say, any new "to me" technique used to be a project killer . Sometimes I just need a reason to try it, to overcome it. The inlay coasters recently comes to mind.Before those, I have never even considered attempting inlays. When I was asked to do a few, it gave me reason to reach beyond my fears of trying something new, and I found out it really wasnt overwhelming at all, and was quite fun to do.So fun in fact,that a couple of them I did were pretty intricate, and I was even pleased with them, and I've been told more that once that I'm impossible to please!!!! Im now not afraid of inlays, and am actually planning out a functional project that uses a little bit of inlaying. Ummm I rambled to long again huh? Sorry.

[SNAPPER]

Originally Posted by utbva

I may even resize it and make a magazine holder.

I had the same thought Bill.
Dean

[Shannon]

Jedi - You can enlarge the chair for American Girl Dolls - I think the article even gives the percentage to enlarge the pattern.

Pajaro - I'm not following you... Do you mean that you subscribed but you are not getting this issue? Just let me know what's wrong and I'll fix it.

I'll ask Dave to visit and share more about the blade he used in the earring article.