The Art of Marquetry

By Craig Vandall Stevens.

96 pages, soft cover.

Marquetry is a technique where different natural colors of wood veneers are carefully cut to fit precisely together, creating a spectacular design in a single sheet or picture. In the mid 16th century, Italian craftsmen began using marquetry as a furniture decorating art. Using a technique called the double-bevel cut, the novice to advanced woodworker is led through a fully illustrated step-by-step process from the design to the finish. Hundreds of color photographs demonstrate in detail how to saw your own veneers out of solid wood planks, the tools and materials required, using the scroll saw and the fret saw, choosing woods for color and grain, design tips, shading with hot sand, and finishing. Four patterns ranging from simple to challenging projects are included as is an extended gallery of finished works to inspire the marquetarian in you.