Scroll Saw Village

We all remember the massive toy recalls back in 2007. Toys made in developing countries, namely China, contained dangerous amounts of lead and other chemicals. This brought a lot of fear and concern about regulations regarding toy manufacturing. As a result, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed in August 2008. This act requires third party testing and certification of all toys distributed in the US. This testing could cost up to $4,000 per toy. Large manufacturers could easily absorb this cost. Unfortunately, it will kill the handcrafted toy industry. Thousands of home crafters who make toys to supplement their income will have close up shop because they can’t afford to have their toys certified. Parents who want a natural alternative to Mattel products will no longer have that option. Can you imagine a world without handcrafted toys? No more wooden cars and trucks. No more plush teddy bears or dollies.

The Handmade Toy Alliance has a website that explains the details of the CPSIA and how it will affect crafters. I urge you to send a letter to your Senator and Congressperson and request changes to the CPSIA so we can save handcrafted toys. You can find a sample letter and the name and address of your representatives on the Handmade Toy Alliance website.

Addendum:
You can also sign an online petition here.

Here’s a fun project for that little reader in your life. This bookend project is provided by Sabrina of Seeds of the Heart blog. This is a great afternoon project that turns out really neat. The instructions are pretty straight forward. For the letters, choose your favorite font in a graphics program or word processor. Enlarge the letters until the fit and you’re set! Definitely give this project a try. It goes to show you that even the simplest of projects can turn out extra special.

Dave Lampman has been doing lath art since 1979. He describes his work as “Casual art with a touch of understated elegance.” Whatever it is, it certainly is beautiful. Check out his online gallery of some of his work. Perhaps it will inspire you to give lath art a try. When you’re ready, head over to Lath Art Discussion Help and Examples blog, where he’s a contributing author. There you’ll find some great tips and more examples that will get you on your way!

Here’s a neat video about wood mosaic artists Robin and Kathy Tucker. It isn’t scroll sawing per se, but it should interest those of you who do inlay, marquetry, or intarsia. Check it out!

Here’s a neat article that was in the news yesterday. Pam McPherson is an 84 year old scroller from Carbondale, Colorado. She has been making jigsaw puzzles for her friends and family for the last 50 years! She cuts about 100 puzzles per year, but has nearly 3,000 images in queue. Check out this article from Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

Here’s a great layered deer mountain scene pattern provided by GAbaptist. Perfect for that outdoor enthusiast in your life. The pattern is hosted on Bukisa, which offers a unique interface distributing documents as shown below. Unfortunately, Bukisa doesn’t offer a download option But you can easily print the pattern by choosing the Print option under the iPaper menu. GAbaptist has a number of other patterns available too. Including several Christmas ornaments just in time for Christmas! Check out what he has to offer!

Here’s a neat project from Christine of Chantournage which I thought was rather clever. She cut out a silhouette of an animal. But instead of throwing away the scrap, she turned that into the back panel for this letter/napkin holder. It really gives this project a nice effect. Possible Christmas gifts? I think so! This would be a great project for those on your Christmas list as it can easily be cut in an afternoon. You can find silhouette patterns in a number of areas. Dingbats, internet clipart, Dover Clipart books or even 99 Silhouette Patterns for the Scroll Saw by Terence Calway!

Be sure to check out Christine’s website and check out some more of her other work. Maybe it’ll spark an idea or two for other Christmas gifts!

Here’s a fun little project that should please the pilgrim in you. This free Turkey Tote pattern is provided by The Windfield Collection. Use this as a centerpiece filled with flowers, or vegetables from your fall harvest. They provide a nice printable pattern with detailed assembly and painting instructions. Make sure you get both parts of the pattern (November 1, 2008 and November 2, 2008). And while you’re there, be sure to see what else they have to offer. They have a lot of great holiday patterns that are sure to please. Gobble gobble!

One of my favorite sites belongs to the German pattern designer, Arnold Volkner. He is best known for his lichterbogens (lighted arches) and Christmas pyramids. His patterns reflect a lot of German tradition that has a quaint old-world feel. He has a section on his website where he offers a free pattern. I like to keep my eye on that section because he rotates a new pattern every few months. Right now he’s offering a lichterbogen with a wonderful winter scene. Check it out. While you’re there, check out his other patterns. His website is in German, but with the aide of Google Translator, you shouldn’t have too much trouble navigating his site.

Many times, us scrollers only think about cutting hardwoods and plywoods. But there are a number of other materials that we can cut as well. The folks at Woodworker’s Journal has a great article on how to scroll saw a snowflake ornament out of brass! The article includes the free pattern, detailed instructions and accompanying photos. You can find brass and other sheet metals at your craft store or hobby store. If you still can’t find any brass, check your home improvement store. You should be able to find a brass kickplate for entry doors that would work great. After you cut this pattern, dig through some of your other Christmas ornament patterns. That will give you plenty to cut out with this great material.