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About Karen and karenscraftshop |
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| How it all started My name is Karen and I began scroll sawing a few years ago just after my youngest son, Glenn, joined the Idaho Army National Guard. Once he went off to basic training, it left a space in my personal time that had formally been taken up with being a full time mom. To fill this gap and being artistically oriented, I became fascinated with the way you can use different types of wood to make Intarsia. Then one day my husband suggested we build a 10' x 16' "garden shed". Well, after it was built, and living here in Idaho, where the winters aren't really too conducive for working outside, brrrr, he suggested using the shed as a work shop. So it was back inside for a major wiring job for the power I would need. After adding the necessary items, including baseboard heat, (the A/C came the next summer), I moved in. |
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| The tools My simple $40.00 scroll saw was soon replaced by a top of the line 28", just after my better half stood there for about maybe 3 seconds watching me doing a pattern cut-out with it. His comment was "Woman that just ain't gonna work!" It wasn't long before there was also a full size band saw, drill press, router & table, sanding machine, etc. My husband doesn't believe in working hard. He's just your fairly typical power tool kind of guy. Anyway... Whew, I quickly found myself getting cramped but soon learned how to organize a wood working area. My husband then added an additional 15' extension out the sliding door on the end and built a roof over that so I could do my spraying outside. |
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The projects I found myself making fairly simple projects to get the feel of the tools and the way the wood all came together. I found some places locally that offered classes doing scrolling and went to them. This is highly recommended to anyone interested in taking up this art form. You will gain some very valuable experience and the individuals you'll meet are more than willing to share their knowledge. One of the projects that has had the biggest impact on my life since I started scroll saw work has to be my rendition of the fabled "Yellow Ribbon" to show support for our country's service members who are defending freedom world wide. This really hit home, when our son's unit, the 116th Armored Cavalry Brigade of the Idaho National Guard, was called to active duty and they shipped out for Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I made one and hung it on our front porch. |
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It wasn't long before the neighbors, who knew that Glenn's unit was over there, started asking me to make one for them too. Now, even though the 116th is back from their tour, there are still Yellow Ribbons displayed all up and down the streets in our neighborhood. I believe that no matter what personal idea's you have about the politics, the women and men doing the work, deserve all the moral and spiritual support we can give them. |
| About The Intarsia First off, it can take me from single afternoon up to a month or more for completion of a project depending on the difficulty of the final piece. All my Intarsia art projects are made from both domestic as well as exotic species of hardwood. The only thing made out of plywood besides the backing board are the Yellow Ribbons, which are marine grade birch since they're meant to be located outside in the weather. The wood is all chosen with the specific project in mind because the colors and grain patterns have a direct impact on the final work. Even after ordering the wood, it is still closely examined before any cutting is done to make sure it has the greatest impact on the art. This often has a major effect on the actual project since some work can contain over 50 or more individual pieces. Once the pieces are rough cut using the band saw, they are finish cut to fit on the scroll saw. I sand them and refit them all together to see the final form. Then I'll raise individual pieces using thin plywood to highlight those areas. I often use hand sanding or gouge tools to create additional highlights in the grain or other texture types. This all comes together giving the whole piece a more 3 dimensional feeling and appearance when displayed. After all this work, it is time to assemble everything onto the thin plywood backing board. A final look over and any last minute touch ups to improve the natural look is done. If I feel satisfied then I'll shoot it with the first coat of clear lacquer. Then it is sanded with very fine steel wool to hopefully close the small pores left over from the first application. This is followed by another coat and then a final third which is usually all it takes but some wood types can need up to 6, 7 or more, since they absorb so much before they fill completely in smoothly. This is all done so that the final Intarsia art is guaranteed a lasting lifetime of display and visual enjoyment. Remember that the history pointed out that there aren't any examples left? Hopefully this will improve the odds for future generations to be able to appreciate them. |
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| Some Final Thoughts Intarsia is an art form that must be seen to be enjoyed and displaying the pieces have a wonderful impact if matched with any decor. This is an area that seems to have been overlooked by many but I hope my work here will help change that. All of these pieces are uniquely individual and no two are ever alike in appearance, texture or conformity. I hope you will enjoy browsing through the different projects and works I've created. Bookmark this site so you'll remember to check back to see the new and exciting things that will constantly be added to the galleries. Please contact me here and allow me to custom make that one special project just for you or for that someone you care about to present with an everlasting gift from your heart. Thank you, Karen and karenscraftshop.com |
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