My Journey As A Scroll Saw Pattern Designer #890: Exchanging

I have written about this before, and I probably will again. I once again participated in an ornament exchange that was set up by the scrollers on Steve Good’s forum. It is an event that I look forward to every year, as it gives me a chance to experience not only the work of other scrollers, but also enjoy the friendship and sharing that it entails.

I love exchanges. I think that it is a great way to learn about fellow crafts people and own a little piece of something created by them. I have participated in exchanges for many years, both in painting forums and also in scroll sawing forums and it is one of the things that I really look forward to doing. To me, owning something that someone created is very special, and each piece that we receive holds a small part of that person within it. I think that as craftspeople ourselves, we appreciate what went into each item and that makes it even more special.

This year my exchange partner was geneVG (I am only using his screen name here.) Yesterday I received two beautiful ornaments that Gene made for me for our exchange.

The first one was an angel made of beautiful maple. It was cut from 1/4” stock and has a beautiful finish on it.

The second ornament was a fretwork sleigh, made of walnut:

It also is about 1/4” thick and has a lovely satiny finish.

I was so excited to receive these wonderful pieces and I will certainly cherish them and think of the wonderful support and friendships that I have had from Steve’s forum. That is one reason why I like ornaments – because they all seem to be attached to memories and symbolic of those special places and times in our lives.

Thank you Gene for sending me such beautiful pieces. I will cherish them.

If you haven’t ever participated in an exchange, I strongly suggest that you give it a try. Not only does it bring people closer, but it also strengthens our bond with each other through our love of creating. And that is a wonderful feeling.

Have a great day!

-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"