When it comes to woodcrafting the choices are many. When one thinks of scrollsawing, Intarsia, Fretwork and Inlay, comes to mind. Other woodworking choices are: Carving, Woodburning, Woodturning, and Whittling, just to name a few.

Not all woodcrafters become proficient in all choices. One may enjoy creating Intarsian projects while others prefer woodturning. However, experience in one crafting doesn't prevent the learning of another. On the contrary, it's likely you will dabble in several, depending on your interest. For this topic let's fret a bit!

Fretworking can be as easy as scrollsawing your name in wood, doing a portrait of your favorite movie star or family member, or as intricate as a floor standing grandfather clock. Picture frames, collapsible baskets, and ornaments are some other examples, just to mention a few.

There are many magazines available that cater to scrollwork. One such magazine is 'Creative Woodworks and Crafts'. It's definitely worth a look. You can order it on-line or probably pick it up at your local newsstand. Check out your local library as well for woodcrafting magazines and books.

Learn all you can from other scrollsawers. A good way to start is to join a club dedicated to scrollsawing. One such club, Scrollsawing Art is one of several woodworking clubs found on the Internet. While you're there, check out some of their interesting projects that they have posted in the "photo" section. You won't be disappointed.

As a beginner, you're probably anxious to get started. And what better way to begin scrollsawing then with some free patterns. All you have to do is print. Follow the links for free patterns of window sill kittens and for a few more challenging projects. When you're ready to purchase fretworking patterns, 'Wildwood Designs' is one place of many who has a good collection for you to choose from.

For scrollsaw projects, the work can be very delicate, requiring focus and patience. To start, spray the back of your pattern using stencil spray or something similar. When it's tacky, adhere it to your workpiece. Make an "x" for all the inside cuts close to the corner or near a turn. Select your blade. Depending on the thickness of your workpiece that you're cutting, scrollsaw blades comes in various sizes and are described as tpi (teeth per inch). Try several different blades by practicing on a piece of scrap until you find the one that feels right for you. Besides the standard scrollsaw blades, other blades include spiral, reverse tooth, and skip tooth blades. Not everyone may agree on which blades are best, and sometimes it's just a matter of personal choice.

After you've chosen your blade, drill holes just big enough to accommodate your scrollsaw blade. Feed the blade through your workpiece, ensuring that the teeth is pointing downward, and fit it onto the arm of your scrollsaw. Follow the lines counterclockwise and cut out the inside piece. Do not use excessive force but instead apply a slight pressure while pushing the workpiece towards the blade. Continue to repeat this operation until all inside cuts are completed, then cut around the outside line of your project.

For your first attempts, you may not get the best results with your early projects. But with experience, you'll learn how to cut tight turns without burning the wood, to control your workpiece, and to determine which blades are best to use for which job.