Thread: Marquetry Course

Hi all, I was fortunate to attend the Marquetry Course held on the th - th July run by Steve ( Toolbagsplus). I did not know what to expect not having had anything to do with marquetry and veneers except for edging the occasional draw/cupboard.
I arrived a little before am and met Steve, Pam, Glen and Geoff. The work areas/benches were all set up with all the equipment we would need. Steve had prepared a piece of ply veneered both sides with different coloured veneers for the students to use for the first exercise. Marquetry is no different to any project you do, It all comes down to your interpretation or how you see it, so we had choices to make over the next 2 days with Steve's valuable input.
Steve explained the basics etc and then we were into it.
First exercise marking out and cutting a shape in this case a sea shell. Step by step we went choosing the veneer of the shell, marking it out and getting the grain running in the direction as it would in a real shell, many fine cuts and then burning a shadow on the parts before glue up. Cutting out the oval and inlaying it into the veneer block, marking out around you shell onto the oval inlay and cutting it out and inlaying it, using a scraper then sanding etc to give you your finished job. Easy as falling off a log.
That took up to around lunch time and I must say how happy I am with my first attempt. My wife and daughter were amazed at the beautiful shell I had created.
Steve was always there coaxing and giving his advise and knowledge freely.
After lunch we all started on the designs/pictures we had brought with us or used some of the ones Steve had on hand. I opted for one of Steve's pictures a Humming bird and flowers so over the next day and a half we marked cut, re cut , re cut the pieces as with veneers slightly too much pressure and you split the veneer and having large fingers doesn't help much either. But I got there.
The only criticism I have is there are not enough hours in a day. I finished the lid for my box as far as gluing but it still has to be sanded etc.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in gaining a new and exciting skill and if I can do it anyone can.
Thank you Steve for your time, support, effort and having the courage to run this Wonderful Course.