There’s plenty for you to enjoy and learn from in this Winter edition of the Marquetarian.

There are loads for you to check out in this winter edition of The Marquetarian. We have a really packed magazine here that we are sure you are going to enjoy.

For starters there’s the second part of Mike Roberts’ article on the build of this year’s Rosebowl winning piece. If you want to know how to go about producing a Rosebowl qualifying marquetry exhibit yourself, this article is certainly well worth reading.

Want to know how to make a hydraulic marquetry press? Well, look no further, for we have the plans and instructions in this winter issue. It was the brainchild of former editor Ernie Ives, and it is a superb piece of marquetry equipment – a very powerful press.

The 2023 AGM minutes can be found in this winter edition. These give you an insight into the background workings of the Marquetry Society. There’s a lot more going on in the background of our Society to keep it running “like a well-oiled machine” than many of you would credit. We officers certainly work away tirelessly on your behalf to keep the art and craft of marquetry alive.

Want to know more about fragmentation? Well, we have the answers here, just check out the article to find out all about the art of fragmentation, it is fascinating.

Marquetry, is it a true art form? Now there’s a question, what do you think? Our article on this tricky subject is an intriguing read well worth reading. This is a somewhat thorny old question, but we find quite a few answers here. Read it and see if you agree.

A heated marquetry press – now that’s something you probably haven’t considered. But this is an adaption of a commercial heated press which works rather well for marquetry. The professionals use large, heated presses for their veneered furniture work, so why shouldn’t we look at doing the same? It reduces the curing time for the glue considerably. Instead of leaving your work in the press for hours on end, this press can do the job in a fraction of the time. Most of them even have built in timers, a real bonus.

Vic’s tips and our Social Media Officer’s report are well worth checking out. Especially as our Facebook page has taken off so spectacularly. We are getting copious new members of our Facebook fraternity joining that element of our growing influence every day. We just need to convert as many of them as possible to becoming Marquetry Society members proper as we can. But we are working on that.

There’s a strip and stringer cutting jig design here that many will find to be very useful. Quite simple in its design and build but does the job perfectly.

And don’t miss more exhibits from this year’s International Marquetry Exhibition. There’s plenty of beautiful marquetry there for you to enjoy – we think you will like it very much.

Happily, we have found an entire half page of space (carefully done for a well filled winter 285th edition) of our very useful identification chart of veneers. These are all unusual figuring and grain patterns. These veneers are all genuine examples taken from veneers with odd characteristics in our veneer reference library and they are all featured in accurate colours. This series will provide a rather helpful guide for you when comparing veneers for your chosen marquetry project. Part 23 is at last back on schedule (for the time being while we have been able to find a little spare space). Each veneer example featured is taken from accurate scans of the genuine veneers and carefully colour balanced against the actual veneer itself in order to ensure it matches both the printed and true veneer as far as modern technology will allow us.

But, and then again, don't forget our regular 'Readers Letters' 'Chairman's Chatter' 'Independents Corner' and much, much more.

So, as is always the case, we have yet another excellent issue for your perusal!.