Fall magazine

[trackman]

Got my copy of SSW&C today in east central Indiana. Anyone get there's?  Better than the last one but that didn't take much. 

[heppnerguy]

I think all my mail will be delayed for awhile because of the needed forwarding, what with the new move. I will be looking forward to my copy though

Dick

heppnerguy

[hawkeye10]

All magazines seem to disappoint me and most of them struggle to stay in business.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I agree 100% with Hawkeye on that statement. I have just about discontinued all my subscriptions to all wood magazines. I find the scrollsaw magazines to be too beginner oriented and they stopped being any challenging projects years ago. better to buy patterns from pattern makers of the ones that I need. Other wood magazines just promote tools that support them. I am now stuck with 1000's of magazines I hate to throw away. Oh the money spent on all those subscriptions I could buy a few scrollsaws and expensive ones at that. 

[wombatie]

It always takes longer for me to get mine, I will have to wait about another month. 

 

Marg

[lawson56]

I haven't bought one in quit awhile.Like some of you I was getting disappointed with them.to many adds,and stories.So glad I found The Village.I do buy one when I find something I like.

[ike]

got mine today ,. it is still a pretty good  Mvzins]s.

 

[Sycamore67]

I generally look thru woodworking magazines and figure how many articles I am interested in.  With SSW&C, I have noticed a sharp decline in articles I might do.  I like doing Intarsia and puzzles especially those by Judy Peterson.

They have had IMHO too many crafty, painty ones.  Also, they have had several very long ones on making a clock.

I have asked them to do a survey of what readers would like but they replied takes a long time to conduct a proper survey.

Because of the lack of projects I am interested in, I am strongly considering dropping it.

[Rolf]

Here is a poser for those of you that are disappointed with the magazines.

Is it the projects that are becoming less challenging or is it that your skill sets have grown to such a level that it takes more to challenge you.?

This is a problem with our clubs also. We have scrollers that have been at it for 70+ years and newbies. Trying to keep things interesting for all is extremely difficult. Our club has made a conscious effort to focus on new scrollers  as that is what will keep our hobby alive. 

We have tried surveys in our wood working club and responses have been very minimal. 

If you really are so disappointed in the content of the magazines, don't wait for a survey, send an email with suggestions of what you would like to see to the editors, trust me they will appreciate it. 

I have not yet received the new issue, so can't comment on it, but every issue has a mixed variety, if a clock is not challenging enough and puzzles too easy and there is too much fret work or too much Intarsia. What is it that you guys want?

[edward]

I haven't gotten mine as of yet, as I dont live to far from where are published,  I don't think they have been as good as the years before also I think Creative  woodworks and crafts were a better magazine and got more issues then scrollsaw woodworking magazine.  edward

[Denny Knappen]

I received mine yesterday and looked through it while listening to the Twins game.  For me, this is the best issue yet.  I project I will make first is the Wonder Bowl by Dave Van Ess.  He introduced a new concept where there is no drilling and very little sanding.  The intarsia Pheasant by Kathy Wise introduces using wood burning to enhance the project. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Rolf I believe most magazines are designed to entice the newbies. I remember when I first started woodworking and scrolling I wanted every wood working magazine on the shelf and I purchased them. You are so geeked up and excited with your new found hobby. As I got more skilled I found them to not be challenging and to be of basic  nature and full of ads. That is just the way it is and will not change. When you do become more skilled you look for specific patterns or projects to make and it is just much cheaper and simpler to seek them out individually. With todays internet the paper magazine is becoming a dinosaur as well as newspapers. You find this in all hobbies so it is not new. After a while you look at your hobby through different colored glasses and things look different. To find maybe one or two projects in a year's subscription is quite expensive and it just smarter to buy when needed. 

I believe scrollsaw magazines as well as other woodworking magazines are better suited for the tease or eye candy side of things. I believe people would like to see more crafters finished projects. I get a pen magazine and all it is a magazine with top brand pens photos. But what it does for me is stimulates my brain for ideas to try to replicate or expand. I believe that is what would be beneficial to a scrollers magazine and I have sent that idea in many years ago to both those scrollers magazines and to an extent they did increase the section on showing finished projects but to me not enough. I know space is limited but this is my opinion. 

[hotshot]

I don't always find projects that I would want to do, but there is something about getting the new mag in the mail and flipping through it for the first time, looking for treasures, seeing if anyone I know has an article (or did the cutting), or if there is a new designer I need to google.     I even like to see what advertisers come and go.

In this latest issue, I saw an article by Carole Rothman where she does a Vase that is quite the departure from the normal scrolled bowl as it has steep sides, pin lines, and if freaking awesome.  Pretty advanced I would say.  And, Carole frequents the other forum and I consider her a friend, so that adds interest for me.  The same for Dave Van Ess and his bowl article.

Two of the most prominent designers in their specialties, Kathy Wise and Janette Square, both have articles, one advanced, one for learning Intarsia.  That Pheasant, oh my, though way way outside my abilities, I love seeing what is possible.

Judy and Dave Peterson are well known designers, and they are also featured.  This issue must have cost Fox a fortune.

Then there is "Lathing" which I've never heard of.  Not my kind of project per se, but I was intrigued by the techniques.

If you follow what I actually cut, you know my focus is on designs that can be cut into coins, so that said,  what did I get out of this issue that I can leverage?  The Hawk I might be able to shrink and make work.  The earrings are easy, and are sort of down my alley, but I might just do those in wood as I like the effect.  I also found a usable cat should I need to incorporate that element into a design, and there are some interesting chess patterns the would translate to 2-D.  Then again, I might just do the chess pieces in wood in full 3-D as they look pretty doable.

In Any case, I understand the "different strokes" for different folks thing, but all I can do is speak for my self when I say, "I totally enjoy the Mag"

------Randy

Edited June 24, 2017 by hotshot

[Denny Knappen]

18 minutes ago, hotshot said:

I don't always find projects that I would want to do, but there is something about getting the new mag in the mail and flipping through it for the first time, looking for treasures, seeing if anyone I know has an article (or did the cutting), or if there is a new designer I need to google.     I even like to see what advertisers come and go.

In this latest issue, I saw an article by Carole Rothman where she does a Vase that is quite the departure from the normal scrolled bowl as it has steep sides, pin lines, and if freaking awesome.  Pretty advanced I would say.  And, Carole frequents the other forum and I consider her a friend, so that adds interest for me.  The same for Dave Van Ess and his bowl article.

Two of the most prominent designers in their specialties, Kathy Wise and Janette Square, both have articles, one advanced, one for learning Intarsia.  That Pheasant, oh my, though way way outside my abilities, I love seeing what is possible.

Judy and Dave Peterson are well known designers, and they are also featured.  This issue must have cost Fox a fortune.

Then there is "Lathing" which I've never heard of.  Not my kind of project per se, but I was intrigued by the techniques.

If you follow what I actually cut, you know my focus is on designs that can be cut into coins, so that said,  what did I get out of this issue that I can leverage?  The Hawk I might be able to shrink and make work.  The earrings are easy, and are sort of down my alley, but I might just do those in wood as I like the effect.  I also found a usable cat should I need to incorporate that element into a design, and there are some interesting chess patterns the would translate to 2-D.  Then again, I might just do the chess pieces in wood in full 3-D as they look pretty doable.

In Any case, I understand the "different strokes" for different folks thing, but all I can do is speak for my self when I say, "I totally enjoy the Mag"

------Randy

Thanks Randy for the nice comments.  It is nice to be 'friends' with the various authors and designers.

[Rolf]

Frugal is not a word that has ever been associated with me. I look forward to each issue as it is something other than bills and junk mail. 

And if I get one new idea or or project direction it is worth every penny to me.

JT I agree with many of your points and yes there are lots of places to find ideas. But I will say that SSWWC has taken my hobby in directions I would never have thought possible when I first started scrolling. And like Randy I truly enjoy the magazine.

Randy a few years ago we had a local vendor selling lath art, I was blown away with his depictions of local maritime themed scenes. They were commanding some serious money unfortunately it was not the best venue for his work.

On another note I missed the open house as it was great to meet some of our friends and designers in person. I had surgery and would not have been able to go anyway.

Edited June 24, 2017 by Rolf

[orangeman]

Any puzzles?

bb

[bandaideman]

gee I live in Indiana i don't have mine yet

[NC Scroller]

Mine came today.  Yes there are puzzles.  I see my favorite designers, the Fowler's, are back.  

 

As others said if I find a couple things that I like it is more then worth it.

[hotshot]

1 hour ago, orangeman said:

Any puzzles?

bb

The lead article is "Puzzles Gone Wild" and features what I think is a pattern out of the "Animal Puzzles" book by the Peterson's.

[Dan]

I love getting the mag in the mail. We all have different expectations based on abilities, desires, and project types. Most of the projects are things either too basic or not my type of project so I cut very little from the patterns. As long as I find a bit of inspiration or get ideas based on an article I'll keep my subscription. When I started scrolling the mag was a learning tool. As time went on I cut patterns just to see if it was something I'd be interested in doing. Then I found projects that I wouldn't made but I have made things based on an article. Now, my grandson is old enough to enjoy some of the basic patterns so I'll be making some of them. 

I agree that if you want something else in the magazine you should shoot them an email. I also see a lot of talent on this site but only a few have been in the magazine. 

[WayneMahler]

Still waiting on mine. I enjoy the magazine. I have seen the articles of gluing pictures to things and although this is not my cup of tea I'm sure others enjoy it. I fully agree that they can not please everyone and some are less desirable issues then others. Trying to keep it simple enough for beginners and offering some more challenging for those with higher skill levels. 

Rolf you commented about trying to keep things interesting at the club level. Bill recently posted about this. I believe he is the president of the club closest to me. It would be a bit of a drive for me. Thinking on stopping by it as a guest if they allow it and seeing what it is all about.

Something I am happy about though. Is the diversity they try to offer. Just like being here at the village.

 

[NC Scroller]

I have issues back to 2001-2002 when I first started scrolling.  The more I got into it my tastes and abilities have changed. I find myself more and more going back to old issues and cutting something I passed over at the time.

I can tell you that the Fox Chapel publishers do appreciate and accept suggestions. This latest issue is an example.  Many of those on the other forum made suggestions and requests after the last issue (Issue 67), not their best effort IMHO, and they listened.   

 

Disclaimer:  I am not employed by or have any interest in Fox Chapel beyond being a happy customer.

Edited June 25, 2017 by NC Scroller

[orangeman]

On 6/24/2017 at 8:19 PM, hotshot said:

The lead article is "Puzzles Gone Wild" and features what I think is a pattern out of the "Animal Puzzles" book by the Peterson's.

it will be a huge disappointment if the magazine is recycling old patterns. let's hope not.

bb

[dgman]

1 hour ago, orangeman said:

it will be a huge disappointment if the magazine is recycling old patterns. let's hope not.

bb

No worries Brian, it's a family of Giraffes, all seperate. However, I have several of the Peterson's book and hav seen patterns in the books that have been featured in the mag.

[zimmerstutzen]

There is a big problem with magazines in general.  Outdoor magazines are now almost all advertisements. I refuse to pay for 6 pages of articles continued through 100 pages of ads.   Many wood worker and handyman magazines try to appeal to too broad an audience and lose interest for many, along with the 50 pages of ads.     I am a newbie and look at the scroll saw magazine with awe for some of those projects.      I am enough of an artist that I can make some simple patterns myself, but look to the magazine for inspiration of what can be done.  

There was a time, I could spend hours slowly walking the aisles of the Sears tool dept.  Now, their specialty tool selection, outside of automotive, has gone to crap.   And that in a way is both ok and a sign of the times.   We have specialty shops and in this day of internet stores, we can buy the hardest to find specialty items with a mouse click. I remember trying to find a forstner bit in pre internet days.  With the big box stores, whose clerks knew nothing about wood working, to all the little mom and pop hardware stores that "could order it for me"  IF a clerk happened to know what it was.     I morn the loss of those dusty old stores with their creaky wooden floors and amazing selection of obsolete parts and tools.  (Arlington Hardware (VA)  back in the 1970's had the biggest section of oil lamp repair parts I have ever seen in one place, who the heck repairs oil lamps then or now)

 

Anyway, I am glad for SSWS, and look forward to each issue, at least for the foreseeable future.  . 

 

 

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