Firefighter Cross

This one is my first cutting from a series of crosses designed by Sue Mey.

Sue is from South Africa and designs and cuts various aspects of scroll saw art.

Wood Fan

I watched the Lumber Jack carving episode on The Woodwright’s Shop with Roy Underhill and his guest Glen Van Antwerp who carved a wooden fan from one piece of wood.

I wanted to try cutting a wood fan made from one piece of wood also, but cut it on a scrollsaw. I used the basic design as described on the Woodwright’s show adjusting a few measurements here and there for more control on the scrollsaw.

I used bass wood 1-1/2” x 1-1/2” x 10-1/2 and a # 5r blade. After cutting out the basic design I started cutting the fan blades. The key here is “cut slow” when you’re cutting with the grain. The thickness varies from 1-1/2” at the top to .1/2” at the interlock then back up to 1-1/2” then down to 1/8”. Each blade is approx. 1/16 to 1/32 thick. No two blades will be the same thickness.

I handcarved the handle to a smooth finish and sanded. A coat of cherry and burgundy was applied to the handle followed by several coats of poly. I wove a burgundy ribbon through the open spaces at the top of the fan.

Cutting this fan was very challenging. The fanning out of the blades was easy but I was always waiting for one to break and some did.

This is a functional fan, however it is fragile. To be used with care.

Check out the following sites for more information.

The Woodwright's Shop:

Cedar Fan Carving with Glen Van Antwerp:

Quarters with some unique designs.

Firefighters with a hose line

Firefighter with Axe

For race fans # 24 on a California state quarter

Elvis on a Tennessee state quarter

Emergency Medical Technician

State Quarters

Here is Mass, RI, and VT

State Quarters

Sate Quarters

Here is Maine and New york

Coin Jewelry

Although most of my work is done in wood, every now and then I like to try something different.
Yes I use my scrollsaw to cut coins.

Cut coins.

Whole coin jewelry has most likely been around since coins were first invented. It is thought that Egyptians would decorate their soldiers with medals similar to coins of their day. And, as long as soldiers and civilians have been traveling, the coins of other nations have been a great souvenir to take back home. Travelers would have coins finished whole or with added engravings to be used as necklaces and rings.

The other type of coin jewelry is commonly referred to as cut coins. Coin cutting was probably first seen in the 1600's when men would pierce and cut coins to impress their lovers. Since that time cutting coins has become a serious form of craftsmanship that is currently producing some truly unique pieces of jewelry. When cutting coins, craftsman start with a whole coin and then pierce the coin with small holes. A very fine tooth jeweler's saw is then inserted into these holes and worked until the main figure of the coin is released. This allows the central figure of the coin to be featured and seen by itself. The coins can then be left in its base metal or covered in gold or silver or, often times, both. The two-tone finish allows the intricacies of both the coin and the craftsmanship to be shown. From here the coin can be taken to it final form as a pendant, earrings, tie tacks, money clips or rings.

Whether it is whole or cut, coin jewelry is becoming quite popular. Many people purchase them to be used as a beautiful accessory, as a show of national pride or as a collection item specifically fit to their hobby or interests. To be worn especially as an accessory, there are lovely butterfly, delicate flowers, and bold suns, all worn as pendants or earrings. One of the most popular pieces is a stunning coin from Barbados, the ten dollar coin with features Neptune with a trident in his hand. When people want to purchase something to show their national pride, the Irish and Polish coins are popular and, of course, any of the American coins, with the new state quarters being a unique way to show state pride. Finally, there are a huge number of coins for those with particular interests or hobbies. Whether it is cats or dogs, panda bears or any type of sport, there is a coin that will match most any interest. These are just a few of the vast number of coins that are available in cut coin jewelry.

So whether it is a whole coin or one designed by a craftsman with intricate, beautiful details, coin jewelry is a very unique and a true art form.

Article written by Kelly McGee

Mayberry's finest

Barney Fife - Don Knotts
Pattern by RLN

Shirley Temple

From the movie "Heidi"
Pattern by Gary Browning

Neil Diamond

The early years.
Pattern by RJN

James Dean

From the movie "Giant"
Pattern by Gary Browning

Elvis

Elvis - Pattern by Sylvia

Pattern by Barry Gollihugh

Peter Frampton

Peter Frampton: 1998


Peter Frampton: 1970's
Patterns by RJN

The Duke - John Wayne

Pattern by Gary Browning

Dorothy - Wizard of Oz

At our local high school this student was playing Dorothy in the play.
Pattern by Gary Browning

Marilyn Monroe

Pattern by Gary Browning

Areosmith

Steven Tyler

Harry Potter

Pattern by Dan Seymore

Dale Earnhardt

Pattern by Gary Browning

Baby your a rich man

The Beatles. Pattern By Limeybates.

People portraits tend to be the most difficult. I have to pay attention to every detail so that the portrait captures the person or persons.

Gamewell Fire Alarm Street Box

Another thing becoming obsolete in many cities and towns.

Old Time Fireman

Not a self portrait yet, but getting close. This was a free pattern from CarvingPatterns.com

Two Up

Two riders on a Goldwing cruising along a curve.

Victory Motorcycle

This is a commissioned piece of a Victory Motorcycle. I designed the pattern from a photo and cut in 1/8" baltic birch.. The bike is owned by B. Avery.

Engine 86

This train took about 22hrs of cutting. Pattern by Jeff Zaffino www.advancedscrollsawpatterns.com/index.html

Riding the Truck

From the days gone by, and yes I do remember doing this.

Jaguar

This wood portrait is based on a painting by Karen Hubbard. With her permission, I used Paint Shop Pro to convert and draw my pattern. I used 1/8" baltic birch and backed it with black felt.. Just imagine how many times I had to undo the blade and move on to the next area to be cut.