Intarsia - Woodworking for Beginners
21 Skill-Building Projects
by
Kathy Wise
Softcover
215 x 280mm
127pp
Published by Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., East Petersburg PA USA
R.R.P.$25.90
ISBN 978-1-56523-442-0
Goldfish
Butterfly
Iris
USA Keyholder
Baseball Mitt Picture Frame
Angel
Mice and Cheese
Cat
Beagle Puppy
Tortoise
Train Photo Frame
Train Photo Frame
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 150
Intarsia - the making of pictures from pieces of solid timber - is one of the less commonly pursued woodworking disciplines. This is unfortunate, since the modern scrollsaw makes it easier than ever to do this work.
It's impossible to say when Intarsia was first developed. Some believe it was invented by the Ancient Egyptians, some, by the Romans.
The only certainty is that it was very popular in Italy during the 15th century and examples of Intarsia have been found in Italy and southern Germany dating from as long as 200 years before that.
But, by the 17th century, Intarsia had virtually disappeared, having been replaced by marquetry and inlay.
Since the 1970's, the craft has enjoyed a revival which now appears to be gathering pace.
This book is essentially a collection of 25 projects of varying difficulty. The author is a highly successful artist responsible for the design of more than a thousand animal figure and giftware items that have been sold worldwide.
The first project in the book, a Goldfish, explains the basic intarsia techniques for simple intarsia patterns, how to cut and shape the pieces and how to glue them together.
The second project, a Butterfly, introduces multiple colour work.
The third project brings in discussion of overlays, shims (to add a 3-D effect), lamination and carving.
By the beginning of the fourth project, most of the important methods have been described and the space devoted to each project becomes smaller, consisting of photos of the finished item, drawings, a list of materials and some quick tips to help ensure the work is completed satisfactorily.
The projects cover a wide range - from a horse's head, a train shaped photo frame and a lighthouse, to a small girl wearing boots, a lily cross and a racoon.
The book is well illustrated with excellent photos and useful drawings. Aimed at the beginner rather than the very experienced maker of Intarsia, it is obviously intended to help in the building of skills so as to go on to even more interesting and formidable work.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
About
the Author
Introduction
How
to Use This Book
Chapter
1: Mastering the Basic Steps of Intarsia: Goldfish Project
- Lesson 1:
Understanding and Working with Simple Intarsia Patterns
- Lesson 2: Cutting
Simple Intarsia
- Lesson 3: How to Sand and Shape Intarsia Pieces
- Lesson
4: How to Glue the Pieces Together
- Lesson 5: How to Create the Backer Board
-
Lesson 6: How to Finish
Chapter
2: Simple Multiple-Wood Intarsia: Butterfly Project
- Lesson 7: Understanding
and Working with Multiple-Color Intarsia Patterns
- Lesson 8: Cutting Multiple-Color
Intarsia
- Lesson 9: Creating Simple Color Breaks
- Lesson 10: Fitting Together
Multiple-Color Intarsia
Chapter
3: Intarsia Techniques
- Lesson 11: Stains
- Lesson 12: Using Shims
to Add a 3-D Effect
- Lesson 13: Using Overlays
- Lesson 14: Making a Lamination
-
Lesson 15: Woodburning Texture
- Lesson 16: Carving Texture
- Lesson 17:
Using CA Glue
Chapter
4: Projects
Level 1
- Level 1 Step-by-Step Project: Iris
- USA Keyholder
-
Baseball Mitt Picture Frame
- Angel
- Mice and Cheese
- Cat
- Beagle
Puppy
- Tortoise
- Train Photo Frame
Level
2
- Level 2 Step-by-Step Project: Horse
- Frog
- Lighthouse
-
Sunflower
- Cowboy Boot Clock
Level
3
- Level 3 Step-by-Step Project: Girl with Boots
- Lily Cross
-
Raccoon
- Birdfeeder
- Boy on Swing
- Girl on Swing
Appendix
Exercise
1: Cutting Simple Lines and Curves
Exercise 2: Cutting Order
Exercise 3:
Practicing the Basics
Exercise 4: Cutting for Close Fit
Exercise 5: Recutting
to Fit
Tool Information
Index
Horse
Frog
Lighthouse
Sunflower
Cowboy Boot Clock
Girl with Boots
Lily Cross
Raccoon
Birdfeeder
Eagle
Boy on Swing