Creative Woodworks & crafts 2003-06, страница 40

Iff it looks like ffun

Helen Heisey wants to try it! I

by Dirk Boelman of The Art Factory

Helen Heisey started scroll sawing seven years ago at the tender young age of 80. At a time in life when many people would be thinking about slowing down a little, Helen is as active as ever. "There's so much to do," she says. "I just can't understand these senior citizens who just sit around!"

Helen first became interested in scrolling when she saw someone operating a scroll saw at a craft show. She thought it looked like something she'd like to try, so she decided to buy herself a saw. That first saw was a little 2-speed machine, and learning to use it was an adventure, to say the least. "One speed was too slow, and the other speed was too fast. The blade picked up the wood and slammed it down time after time. It

Helen says, "I believe life is what you make it."

Helen's scroll saw work exhibited at the local fair. Her two entries resulted in two blue ribbons.

Over the years, Helen has probably done more things than many people could do in two lifetimes. She has done leathercraft, needlework, painting, ceramics and craftwork of all kinds. Truly a gifted and talented person, she has always enjoyed doing things for others and has donated her time as well as numerous articles to various organizations, including her local nursing home and fire department.

Helen says, "I believe life is what you make it." In my opinion, she has definitely made the most from her life thus far, and who knows what the future will bring. I'd be willing to bet that if it looks like fun to Helen, she's probably going to give it a try!

burned the wood and made quite a bad smell in the garage," she said. "One time it caught my finger and gave me a big blister!" Sne wished time and time again that she would have someone to talk to about her problems, but she stuck with it, and never gave up. Eventually, Helen did find some books, and she learned about using different woods and various types of blades, and things started going much better.

Nowadays, Helen saws on a RBI Hawk, which, she says, "draws me in like a magnet. My RBI and I are going steady! If someone asks me why I bought my first scroll saw, I tell them when I see something that looks like fun, I want to try it."

And it's that same energetic drive and enthusiasm about things that has led Helen to explore a multitude of hobbies and interests throughout her lifetime. She has always enjoyed an active lifestyle that has included fishing and deer hunting, snowmobiling, and even motorcycling up to this very day. This past summer she operated a back-hoe all by herself, and last year went up in a high lift.

In her spare time, Helen plays the piano, organ, harmonica, Jew's harp and marimba. She has raised African Violets for 63 years, having had over 120 different varieties at one time. She also collects keychains and thimbles. Would you believe she has over a thousand thimbles... and over two thousand keychains?

Scroll 5aw and a few of her most recent projects.