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(a re-print of the very first issue)
Welcome to the first Newsletter for the Group. Hopefully I will try to
produce a letter twice a term. I hope to include dates of interest, hints
and tips to help you with your Marquetry and general chit chat. I would
appreciate any items that you would like to share with the other members. If
you have anything you would like to appear in the letter please let me have
it so that I can build up a store of material.
Thank you. David Walker. |
The Redbridge Marquetry
Group was formed after the East London Group closed in 1979.
We still
have a few of our founder members with us. Alf Murtell, Ken Daniels, Tom
Brewer and Horrie Pedder still faithfully turn out week after week and
form a firm backbone of our Group. I read recently the article that Alf,
who was then Group Secretary, wrote for the Marquetarian in the Spring of
1979. He stated that “33 members have joined, of which 6 are new members.”
Since then the numbers attending the Group have fluctuated sometimes only a
dozen on a poor night but on one momentous occasion after the first Chigwell
Show we had nearly 60 turn up! Attendance always depends on the weather
and inclement weather puts off all but the keenest. However our numbers
still average out between 25 and 35 which is not much different than in
1979. One of the main problems that the leadership have to face is, why
do some new members fail to stay, disappearing after only a short time. Is
it lack of attention? Lack of progress? or what? If you have any ideas that
would prevent this drop off, please mention it to one of the Committee.
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HINTS AND TIPS
If you are anything
like me, when it comes to the finishing of a picture you will tend to
lose interest rather quickly! The finish will make or break a picture.
You will have spent many weeks, if not months, carefully cutting your
picture and have it well mounted only to become disheartened when you
try to get an acceptable finish. Let me say right now that the finish
is what you are happy with. It doesn’t have to be mirror like although
most judges would appear to fancy such a finish (When did you see a
matt wax finished picture win a prize at the National?) I have yet
to finish a picture to my complete satisfaction. Here are a few
suggestions that I would make which you could consider next time you
come to this stage. You cannot start to apply your finish, no matter
what it consists of until you have got a super-flat, dust free surface.
Once your picture is mounted clean off all the residual glue and
veneer tape with a scraper. A piece of curved broken glass suitably
protected with veneer tape at the ends is very suitable but scrape with
care just remove the glue and tape. Once clean sand with abrasive paper
until you can rub your fingers over the veneer surface and not feel any
undulations. Again sand with care as you are sanding very thin veneer.
Sand in the direction of the majority of the grain with the abrasive
paper wrapped around a cork sanding block. I’ve lost count of the number
of pictures I have spoilt at this stage by rubbing though to the glue so
take care. On paler woods the first signs of this dreaded problem is a
very slight discoloration of the white veneer. If you don’t stop
immediately you will rub right though. Once you are satisfied rub the
surface with a damp lint free cloth. Do not soak, just damp and
let dry. This has the effect of raising very slightly the grain. When
completely dry, this should be only a few minutes, finish sanding with a
very fine (800 grit or more) abrasive paper. Sand lightly to get
perfectly smooth and try to keep at least two thirds of the sanding
block on the picture. Sand the edges carefully keeping the block at
right angles to the edge. Once you have finished you should be ready to
apply the finish. - Continued in the next issue..
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Your Officers,
elected at the last AGM were:-
- Life President
Alf Murtell
- Chairman
Roy Murton 0181 554 6564
- Vice Chair
Chas Baker
- Secretary
David Walker 0181 924 9917
- Treasurer
Ken Daniels
- Committee Members:-
- Bill Kober, Helga Smith, Eric Faulkner, Harry
Hayford, Joan O'Keefe, Shop Keeper & Librarian, Gloria Murton.
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The above page
was taken from the file copies of our Redbridge group's very own
publication "Marketing Marquetry" which was edited by Dave Walker. Over the
years of its production Dave managed to get hold of some terrific articles
for inclusion in the publication, especially notable are the ones by Eric
Horne from when he was a member of our group.
We hope you enjoy this very first sample of Marketing Marquetry. There is
also a PDF version available at the click of the middle button in the group
below.
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