lrike Scriba’s sophisticated marquetry patterns are based on a simple technique: She cuts the same pattern in a stack of different veneers all at once, then separates the pieces and reassembles them like puzzles, putting contrasting species in the same composition. She often will re-stack those new patterns and repeat the process of cutting, separating, and reassembling. She says the technique requires patience and care and is not entirely predictable—like the glaze on a ceramic pot, the final pattern is always something of a surprise.
|
|
|
Negative into a positive. Scriba deliberately leaves the gaps open and fills them with paste in a contrasting color. She sometimes uses commercial wood filler, and sometimes makes her own from glue, sawdust, and pigment. |
|
|
|
1. Make a veneer sandwhich Scriba begins by stacking veneers of different species between pieces of book cardboard. She draws her cutting design on the top piece of cardboard. |
|
|
|
2. Saw the sandwhich After tightly taping the sandwich together with packing tape, Scriba saws along the lines. Then she removes the tape and separates the pieces. |
|
|
|
3. Puzzle out the pattern Working on a clean, smooth surface, Scriba combines pieces from different species to compose new patterns. She uses veneer tape to hold the pieces in place and then adheres each new pattern to a sheet of backing paper. |
|
|
|
4. Re-stack and saw again Scriba makes a second sandwich with the newly arranged patterns between two fresh pieces of cardboard. She draws a different set of lines, cuts out the parts, and then recombines them to achieve the final design. |
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Whiteside 9500 Solid Brass Router Inlay Router Bit Set
Bahco 6-Inch Card Scraper
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in