As if sewing, knitting and crocheting wasn’t enough, I recently took up a new hobby: woodworking. I was inspired by the amazing artist + crafty Dad, Joel Henriques, who blogs at MadebyJoel and also a grandpa and uncle who made all sorts of things out of wood.

I joined the Woodworkers Club in Des Moines and last month attended their 25th anniversary. I was the youngest member in the room, but I was able to meet up with some talented woodworkers. One of these amazing woodworkers is Rick. He is, as far as I’m concerned, The Scroll Saw King.

One tour in his workshop you’ll find hundreds of creations he’s done over the years as well as a graveyard of antique
scroll saws.

You’ll find everything from ginormous chandeliers…

miniature carvings…

clocks…

and dog silhouettes.

One night he had a gathering for other scrollers and humored my friend Kelly, who was visiting from New York, and I with teaching us the basics of the scroll saw. I have to admit the pressure was on to have five experienced woodworkers look over my shoulder as I made the first cut, but I thought…it’s just like sewing…and slowly cut out an adorable (and jagged) little heart.

Check out Kelly’s heart!

Maybe someday I’ll learn how to make Rick’s miniature reindeer (it’s roughly the size of a dime). But it may take a few more practice tries. Thanks Rick for introducing me to this craft!

Links: Made By Joel, Rick’s Website, Flickr Set