JOINERWORK AND DECORATIVE INLAY
Practical techniques for creating a compass star inlay.
- JANET COLLINS — AUGUST 24–30
The beautiful designs and personal touches that woodworkers and boatbuilders add to wood surfaces can be one of the most satisfying ways of all to enhance the look and feel of quality in their projects. At first glance, many an observer might presume that only master craftsmen can achieve such standards. Woodworker/furniture maker Janet Collins will help dismiss such an assumption as she guides her students through the traditions of inlaying contrasting veneers and solid woods into a flat wood base.
Janet will begin the week with a historical look at various inlay decorations found on pieces of furniture from many regions of the world. She will discuss and demonstrate how some of these decorations were achieved and introduce students to the basic principles of inlay—stringing, compass star inlay, line and berry inlay, and gouge-cut inlay. Also included will be inlay of more complex geometric shapes, irregular shapes, and hot-sand shading. Besides the compass star project, interested students will have the opportunity to practice and execute their own designs using these methods.
Students will discover the function and purpose of the various tools used in this art form and how to use and maintain them. Each participant will learn about and use a handmade scratch stock and a compass-held scratch tool. The course will also include demonstration and practice of hand-cut marquetry designs. With marquetry the ground used is veneer instead of solid wood; this makes it possible to create the whole decoration and prepare it for laying as if it were a veneer, with all the advantages that this will bring.
This should be a fascinating week with a master craftswoman for anyone interested in joinerwork and wood surface decoration. The methods and applications learned in this course can be applied to a variety of personal projects such as chart tables, cabinet faces, door panels, countertops, compass boxes, and toolboxes.
Tuition: $650
Materials: $75
Note: Previous woodworking experience is required.