Welcome to this issue of Creative Woodworks & Crafts! Since the last issue, we've had to look more closely at how we handle the publication of "portrait-style" projects. As most of you know, this kind of pattern is usually derived from either a photograph or piece of art. Quite often, this photo or art belongs to someone other than the pattern designer. When this is the case, the permission of that image's owner is required before another person creates a pattern from it for the purpose of selling either the pattern or woodcuttings based upon that pattern. This magazine's most prominent portrait-style pattern maker, Jeff Zaffino, ran into some problems recently—by his own admission—as a result of not being completely thorough about obtaining written permission from a few image owners. As a result, we've adjusted our requirements for portrait-style patterns: we now require, in addition to the pattern maker's signed statement, written permission from the image's owner authorizing his or her art to be turned into a pattern. These patterns are really derivative patterns—derived from an existing image—and need to be treated somewhat differently than other patterns. All of this puts no new burden on you, the reader, nor should it create any confusion. Please continue cutting, selling (if desired), and enjoying the creation of these wonderful portrait-style projects! We merely wanted to give you some insight as to what was going on behind the scenes. On page 80 of this issue, there is a personal statement from Jeff Zaffino regarding this topic. I also want to say that we still regard Jeff as a completely honorable and talented pattern maker, and will continue to feature his fine work.

On another note, please check out Wayne Bosler's Fishing Lures in this issue. To our knowledge, this is something new—scroll sawn fishing lures that actually work! Wayne assures us that some of his friends have caught fish with them, and we're eager to see if they work for you. Wayne is another example of a reader-turned-designer, and it appears that he's a very inventive one—the butterfly shown in "Coming Next Issue" was also designed by Wayne, and it may just start a new trend of "window art." Great ideas, Wayne!