My name is Julie and my art consists of Victorian scroll saw fretwork clocks up to six feet in height, and assorted collectible smaller pieces.

     I am a retired journeyman automotive mechanic/instructor/consultant/writer/lecturer.   A mid-life career addition allowed me to use my manual skills to develop my love for woodworking and Victorian period pieces.   My art can be best described as miniaturized versions of the Victorian gingerbread that adorned houses at the turn of the century (1840-1900).

     Fretwork is a supreme study in detail, as a large clock, for example, can have hundreds of pieces and as many as 2,000 inside cuts.   I dearly enjoy the many hours I spend creating each piece today, as much as I did when I crafted my first clock (the Dome Clock) in 1991.   It is the love of that detail that makes my art a true pleasure.

     Fretwork was originally crafted by hand using a coping saw, although most work is now done on an electrically operated scroll saw.

     A 1" board is sliced in half horizontally, and the two pieces of wood are then run through a planer to smooth the rough sides to a fine finish and reduce their thickness to either 1/4" or 3/8".

     A drawing of the pattern piece is then temporarily glued to the wood, and guide holes for each inside cut are drilled.   With each inside cut, the blade on the saw must be reinstalled to cut the next individual area.   As an example, the Dome Clock has 1,610 inside cuts.

     After the holes and the outside edges are cut, the pattern is removed and the outside edges and inside cuts are hand filed.   The item is then assembled and stained to enhance the natural color of the wood.   Staining also protects and strengthens the thin wood.

     I use Alder (a beautiful local Oregon hardwood) almost exclusively in my creations.   Great attention is given to finely detailed work and each piece is hand made and hand glued.   I never use plywood or nails and miter corners wherever possible.


I dearly love questions and comments, and I encourage you to please feel free to write to me.


Thank you

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