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I have to credit fellow LJs KoryK and TrippleB for peaking my interest in Intarsia. KoryK posted an Intarsia class and blog that gave me the confidence to try this art form.

This free Teddy Bear pattern is included in a E book class called Intarsia 101. Since this was my first attempt at Intarsia I adopted the same mindset as koryk and approached it with a fresh mindset.

Rather than print the pattern on paper I printed it on Transparency Film made for inkjet printers. The reason I did this was so that I could easily see the grain direction of the wood. I did cover the transparency with packing tape to preserve the ink while tracing over it.

After positioning the pattern where I wanted it I slid some carbon paper under the transparency and traced the part. In this case part of the leg. Now I have an outline of the piece on the board, I can see the grain direction, and need not worry about removing a paper pattern later. The transparency can be used over and over again when producing multiples of the same design.

Since this was my first attempt, I chose wood that I had on hand and that wouldn't be as painful to scrap if I screwed things up. the body is cedar, the paws cottonwood, the scarf walnut, and the eyes wooden pegs from my local hobby shop. I did cheat and stained the eyes with a dark walnut stain.

This is an aside, Transparency Film is expensive. Retail office supply stores want $60.00 plus for 50 8 1/2×11 sheets. Amazon has it for a little over $30.00. The brand I had on hand is called Apollo.

Thanks again to fellow LJs koryk and trippleB for the inspiration. Thanks to you all for looking.

Gallery

Comments

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Great Looking Intarsia Teddy Bear! Nicely done Lee! I think it looks like a pro made it! Is staining really cheating!
 

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Beautiful! The first thing that I thought of when I seen this was Elvis' "Teddy-Bear" song. uh-huh-huh, uh-huh-huh,.....mmmm teddy bear !! lol
 

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Great job on your first attempt. Love the transparency film you used. I might try that with some stuff I do. Thanks for the idea.
 

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Tony, thanks for the nice words. What little I have read about this art form is that some folks insist on accomplishing the end result using just the natural wood colors. You know me, I'm more of a "just yet ur done" guy :). A little stain doesn't bother me.

Roger, now that you mentioned it …. :).

Tim, I think the transparency film idea will work well with some of your Intarsia pieces.
 

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Lee,
I took another look at your work and notice that you must of chose the wood for the bears face very thoughfully. The grain is possitioned very nicely to give the face a distinked pattern. The darker color between his eyes and the lines down the cheeks brings his face to life.
 

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Thanks Tony, that is the beauty of printing the pattern on the Transparency film. I was able to position it to take the best advantage of the grain pattern. I am making another intarsia piece using tracing paper rather than transparency film, it is cheaper but I don't like it as well.
 

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Too good for first attempt!
 

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Hey Lee,

Very nicely done, I think you've got the Intarsia bug now too! The shaping on the scarf came out very nicely. The great thing about Intarsia is that you can do it however you want. I know there are other that would disagree with that statement, but as long as you are happy with your work, that's really all that matters.

Personally I like using tracing paper, it works well for me once you get used to it.

Great job and thanks for the shout out, looking forward to seeing your next project.

Bob
 

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Thanks for the encouraging words Bob. Intarsia is a rather fun art form and it teaches you patience for sure.
 

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That thing looks like it wants to be picked up and cuddled!

I just learned a new word- "Intarsia." I have seen this type of work before and always admired it but, I never knew it had a specific name!

I also know that it is one of the more salable of wood crafts, at least, based upon what I have seen.
 

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That Teddy Bear is a great project for anyone wanting to try their hand at Intarsia's and you did a very nice job on it. I think your choice of woods, shaping and finish all look awesome.

I agree with Bob, I wouldn't worry about what others think or say, it's your work and that's all that counts.

Looking forward to seeing your next project.
 

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Came out great!
 
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