First Marquetry Project

[Mike Henderson]

I've done veneer work for a number of years, including geometric designs in veneer. But I've never done marquetery. Recently, I signed up for Paul Schurch's marquetry class in November in Santa Barbara. To prepare for the class, I got his DVD and followed the instructions to do a modification of the project on the DVD. It wasn't as hard as I though it would be.

A picture of the panel is below. I just have two coats of shellac on it, but I'll finish it with lacquer and use it as the bottom of a serving tray.

I'm looking forward to the class to gain more skill in this technique. I think it will open up a world of decorative possibilities.

Mike

[Unfortunately, the picture does not show the detail well.]

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[Peter Hanson]

That looks just great!

[Gordon Eyre]

Excellent work, you will be well prepared for your class.

[Barry Richardson]

Are you sure you need to attend a class Mike? That looks pretty polished! I imagine your background working with veneers will give you quite a headstart on the typical student. Enjoy the class, and Santa Barbara!

[richard poitras]

Mike you did a great job on the flowers, you should really enjoy the class in November with Paul Schurch. I have heard he is a good teacher. Which DVD of his did you get for this project?


Richard

[Mike Henderson]

Mike you did a great job on the flowers, you should really enjoy the class in November with Paul Schurch. I have heard he is a good teacher. Which DVD of his did you get for this project?


Richard
Thanks for your kind words. The DVD I used is titled "Marquetry, Volume 2". It's volume 2 because volume 1 is basic veneering. The series is the Schurch Masterclass Series (http://www.schurchwoodwork.com/tools/index.html#EDUCATION).

Of course, this is a very simple marquetry project - they can get a lot more complex. But that's true of everything - you have to walk before you can run.

I'll let you know how the class went after I attend. It's in early November.

Mike

[Bill Bukovec]

Nice job Mike!

How thick are the veneers you used?

Bill

[Jim Rimmer]

Beautiful, Mike. I've been through your compass rose tutorial and will try it some day. This seems to be an extension of that skill you have mastered so well.

[Mike Henderson]

Nice job Mike!

How thick are the veneers you used?

Bill
They're 1/42 of an inch. Some marquetarians use 1/25" veneers but they're harder to find. Plus, the background is usually 1/42" so you have to sand down the motif pieces to match.

Mike

[Sean Hughto]

That looks fantastic!

It's inspiring too, as I'm embarking on my marquetry oddysey these days too. I just scored an eclipse scroll saw and have assembled a vacuum press. I'll be ready for my first experiments soon. I should hope to do a fraction as well as you have here!

Bythe way, I bought the Gramercy Veneer saw, and am blown away by how much better it is to use than the light little classic offset models. If you haven't tried one, I recommend it highly - like the difference between using a no name pot metal 70's Stanley plane and a LN or infill!

[gary Zimmel]

Real nice work Mike.
If this is what you can do before the class I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens after....

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

Piling on with everyone else; your usual FANTASTIC work ...

[Jim Becker]

Wow...that's really wonderful, Mike!

[Jim Tobias]

Beautiful work Mike! You look like you are ahead of the game for the class.
I want to try some marquetry at some point. I have Paul Schürch’s 1st DVD and he is a very good teacher(IMHO).

Jim

[Sam Layton]

Mike,

By the looks of your first marquetry project, you should be teaching a class, not taking a class... Great job.

Sam

[Todd Bin]

Hello Sean, Noticed you said you scored an eclipse scroll saw. Did you buy new or find a deal on a used one? How do you like it. I have ordered one but it is taking forever (7 months) to get it built and shipped.

Great piece Mike. I also have the Schurch DVD's and liked them. I am anxious to try out a marquetry project.

~Todd

[Mike Henderson]

That looks fantastic!

It's inspiring too, as I'm embarking on my marquetry oddysey these days too. I just scored an eclipse scroll saw and have assembled a vacuum press. I'll be ready for my first experiments soon. I should hope to do a fraction as well as you have here!

Bythe way, I bought the Gramercy Veneer saw, and am blown away by how much better it is to use than the light little classic offset models. If you haven't tried one, I recommend it highly - like the difference between using a no name pot metal 70's Stanley plane and a LN or infill!
Thanks for your comments, Sean. I went and looked at the Gramercy veneer saws. They come in a variety of blade styles. Which one did you buy?

Mike

[richard poitras]

Thanks for your comments, Sean. I went and looked at the Gramercy veneer saws. They come in a variety of blade styles. Which one did you buy?

Mike


Mike Fine Woodworking Magazine just commented on these same saws in their latest edition and had good comments about them. They talked about the two blades but I can remember what they said as to the best one (I was looking at it at a store) but I do remember them stating a description of each blade and what each one is best for different uses. Maybe someone that gets FWM will chime in?

Richard

[Mike Henderson]

Here's another marquetry panel I'm doing in preparation for my class in November. On this one, I did the drawing myself, based on a picture of a water lily flower I found on the web. There's several problems with this piece: the lily pads should show more depth, which I could have done by darkening the pads in the background, I should have used a darker green veneer for the pads, and I should have put a black strip between the yellow banding and the maple border, but I thought the flower and it's reflection came out well. But it's a learning process.

The picture's not the best, either. The flash kind of blasted the panel.

The background is dyed black veneer, the pads are dyed green veneer, the flower petals are holly, the center of the flower is dyed yellow veneer, the reflection is dyed gray veneer, and the border is figured maple. The back is done in two pieces of bookmarked figured maple.

Mike
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