April 20, 2014
Dear Fellow Marquetarians,
Our March meeting was held March 15 at the Folk Art Center in Asheville. We had 20 members and guests present – what a great turnout!
John Robinson was elected Vice President of our group and he was also elected to serve as the chapter representative for the American Marquetry Society.
For our club project of using water in a picture, we had many examples, and all showed something different and interesting. A few commented that they had not yet finished their picture, so they were encouraged to continue working and bring it to another meeting. Some of the ways of representing water in pictures were using the grain of the wood, fragmentation, and a stylized representation of water. Along with showing water in a picture, there was a discussion on how to make harewood, which is good to use for water. The old standby for making harewood is to soak veneer in a solution of ferrous sulfate and water. The name brand product Ironite which can be found in garden centers can also be used in a solution of water. However, dissolving more Ironite or ferrous sulfate in the water does not make the veneer darker. If you want black veneer, soak walnut veneer in the solution. Another method of making harewood is to dissolve a steel wool pad in vinegar. This usually takes a couple weeks for the vinegar to dissolve the steel wool. Be sure that the steel wool you are using does not have oil in it. This can be either wiped on the veneer or the veneer can be soaked in the solution.
Our demonstration was creating a radial book matching (sunburst) by Jim Davis. He showed us how he does this for making lazy susans. He brought tools he designed to help him in these projects. There was a hinged mirror that he uses to help determine what part of the veneer he wants to use for the sunburst. The mirror helps show what the match will look like. He has also designed a jig which he uses with his band saw and belt sander in cutting the pieces so that the edges are very straight and will fit together well. Jim brought several projects in various stages of completion to show us. This was one fantastic demo.
Most of you have paid your dues; however, there are a few who have not. Please make the check for $12 payable to me and send them to me at 109 Elmer Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278. If you can’t remember whether you’ve paid or not, please let me know and I’ll be happy to check the record.
Our next meeting will be at Al Spicer’s shop on May 10, 2014, starting at 10 a.m.. He will be demonstrating the Marquetry Donkey, a.k.a. Chevalet, French Horse, chevalet de marquetrie. Al says that there will be an opportunity for anyone who wants to try it to do so. Al will also be demonstrating inlaying oval stringers. Since he does not live near any restaurants that can handle our group, we ask that everyone bring their own picnic lunch. The club will provide drinks and ice for the lunch as well as the morning refreshments. If you have a folding chair, you might put it in, just in case we have a large number of members present.
Also at this meeting, we will have several items for sale. Danny Wylie, the son of Bob Wylie, who died several years ago has some of his father’s marquetry supplies that he wants to sell. John Robinson has them and will bring them to the meeting. I will try to send out a list of what will be available a little closer to meeting time, so that everyone who may be interested can be prepared with some cash money. If anyone else has an item or two that they would like to sell or give away, please feel free to bring it to the meeting as well.
Directions to Al’s: The address for the shop is 4110 Puett’s Chapel Rd. Dallas NC, 28034. Al’s phone number is 336-855-1325.
From I-40, head south on US321 and take the Hardin Rd exit (first exit after you cross the Gaston County line). At the top of the ramp turn right onto Hardin Rd. Go to the blinking red light, continue straight. The shop is 1 and 1 tenth mile from the red light. (NOTE: the road changes names after the light) It becomes Ike Lynch Rd. In one mile the road makes a sharp turn to the left and becomes Puett’s Chapel Rd. Ike Lynch Rd. goes off to the right. Make the turn to the left, shop is one tenth mile on the left after the big turn and across the street from a 2 story brick house.
From I-85, headed North on US321 take the Hardin Rd exit. At the top of the ramp turn left onto Hardin Rd. Go to the blinking red light, continue straight. The shop is 1 and 1 tenth mile from the red light. (NOTE: the road changes names after the light) It becomes Ike Lynch Rd. In one mile the road makes a sharp turn to the left and becomes Puett’s Chapel Rd. Ike Lynch Rd. goes off to the right. Make the turn to the left, shop is one tenth mile on the left after the big turn and across the street from a 2 story brick house.
Al sent a map, but I cannot make it copy over into this e-mail. Please let me know if you need it and I’ll try to send it individually or will get Al to send it.
Our future meetings will be July 19 at Herzog Veneer in High Point; September 13 at Sauers Veneer in Lexington; and (I think) November 8 at Klingspoor in Hickory.
Let’s have a great turn out for this meeting on May 10! As usual, we will get underway around 10 am and guests are always welcome.
Until then, Happy Cutting!
Beth
