Welcome to the 106th issue of Creative Woodworks & Crafts! I feel fortunate to have had continuous association with this publication for the past thirteen years (over 90 issues), because my work keeps me close to the creative process. With each issue, our team of designers is compelled to reach within themselves to generate new projects and feature articles that you, our readers, will enjoy. At times, I must admit, I begin to wonder how to proceed to keep the freshness and inspiration of Creative Woodworks & Crafts alive and well. Again and again, I realize that it's the creativity coming through our designers, that spark of imagination combined with hard work on their part, that lifts me out of any rut and that makes this magazine special.

In this issue, we welcome back our good friends Roy King and Scott Kochendorfer. Roy and Scott founded the pattern company Scroller, Ltd., which they sold to the present owner, Mike Easler, about six years ago. Over the past six years they have both remained active as scroll saw pattern developers, but recently they have teamed up with Bob Valle, a talented pattern artist, and a strong inspiration and focus now exists within their group. To me, "Nature's Majesty" (page 12 of this issue) represents more than just a good project; it represents the unified commitment of these three guys to be regular contributors to Creative Woodworks & Crafts and to bring to the scroll saw community at large many exciting new projects.

For those of you who either do intarsia or are interested in getting involved with it, Larry Goodwin's "Intarsia Talk" feature should prove interesting. Larry has teamed up with our Intarsia Editor Bob Hlavacek to produce an ongoing series that will address various aspects of this popular form of woodworking. In this issue, Larry kicks off the series by focusing on getting started in this wonderful art form, while in the next issue, Bob explores the woods that are used for intarsia, including how to choose and use the various species that are available. And speaking of intarsia, hats off to Darin Liles, a rising star whose Boxer graces this issue's front cover. Darin's designs have come into strong demand lately, not only in Creative Woodworks & Crafts, but also among an even larger audience reached by the various pattern catalogues that have been featuring his patterns. Over the past few years, we have watched Darin's work improve steadily, and we are honored to have him as part of our design staff.

There's so much more I could talk about in this issue, but space won't allow it; therefore I'll let "your fingers do the walking" as you feel for yourself where your inspiration lies.

Until the next issue, Happy New Year, and may health, happiness, and prosperity be with you.

Sincerely, Robert A. Becker, editor

Turning project:
Mini Lathe Series: Key Rings

Features:
Editorial
Wes’ Woodpile
My Scroll Saw Collection
Intarsia Talk
Dirk and Karen’s Scroll Saw Shop
Redefining Woodworking in Schools
Reader’s Gallery

A Few Highlights of Our Next Issue
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