Creative Woodworks & crafts 2004-04, страница 61

on the March 2001 cover and was our best selling issue ever.

Now. let's hear directly from Darin...

Here's another interesting "sidebar" about Darin: about four years ago. another designer from Arkansas. Floyd Reynolds, appeared in our magazine for a few issues, in fact, Floyd's work was featured on three consecutive front covers. After a short time, Floyd retreated from the world of scroll sawing. Given his considerable talent, we were sorry to see him go; however, there was a saving grace in the situation—he bequeathed all of his pat-ferns, no strings attached, to Darin. Darin created the impressive Turkey Intarsia (shown above) from Floyd's original scroll saw pattern. It is 30" long x 16" wide and consists of 188 pieces. Floyd's Wild Turkey plaque appeared

Getting started

Hello from Shirley, Arkansas. My name is Darin Liles. 1 have been asked to tell a little about myself. I grew up in Hartland, Michigan, and married my wife Kelly there. Shortly after we were married we moved to Arkansas. We have been in Arkansas for 15 years now. We live in a small town with a population of 356. My full-time job is a heavy equipment operator in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. We have two boys, Stephen, 14, and Patrick, 12.

About 6 years ago, T was visiting my brother-in-law, II.E. Burns, who was looking at his new scroll saw and was wanting to sell his old one. 1 had never done much cutting; actually I was more into carving. I ended up buying the saw for $50.00 and took it home. I had no idea what a scroll saw was or where the old saw was going lo lake me. Within a couple of months, I had cut out an array of animals. Then I found a catalog for ordering fret patterns and out of all the patterns to choose from, I chose the great Dome Clock.

When 1 finished building the Dome Clock (2-1/2 months later), T excitedly rushed to H.E.'s house lo let him know I had completed it. As 1 was telling him this, he was smiling at me, and T noticed something quite different on his kitchen table. It was a smallmouth bass made from different woods. I asked him, "How did you ever come up with that idea?" He smiled and said, "Did I tell you about the magazine?" (knowing that he hadn't told me about it). He handed me a copy of Ihe April 1998 issue of Creative Woodworks & Crafts, which had the bass on the cover. I thought, "What a great magazine," and could not wait to get one of my own.

"The Hungry Bass" (from that issue) was considered intarsia, a type of woodworking I had never seen before. While looking through the magazine at the Hungry Bass picture, 1 noticed a very happy looking man named Robert

Hlavacek, Sr. in the top left-hand comer. After subscribing to the magazine, I could not wait for the new one to come so I could see what Bob would do next.

Meeting Bob Hlavacek

As time went on, I read about the scroll saw picnic in Pontiac, Illinois, sponsored by Joe Diveley. 1 called Joe to find out if Bob was going to be there, and he was, so the decision was made to go to the picnic. We arrived on Friday. Joe Diveley told us to come on out where the picnic was being set up, that we would be able to meet some of the artists there. As T approached the big doors. I could see Bob and Kathy Hlavacek setting up their display. With sweaty palms, T approached Bob and introduced myself and my wife. We chatted for a while and over ihe years we have become good friends. The more I talked with Bob, the more I wanted to try designing my own patterns.

Entering the world of publishing

After a couple of years of just attending the picnics, T decidcd to bring a few pieces T had designed. I placed my pieces on what ihey call "the brag tables" and left them there for people to see. The day was getting late and we decided to pack things up for the long ride home. Just then, I was approached by George Ahlers and Robert Becker, ihe editor and the editorial director of Creative Woodworks & Crafts magazine, whom I had met at the first scroll saw picnic. They were interested in publishing some of my pieces in the magazine. I was so excited, words could not describe!

When we got back to the motel. 1 had to tell someone the good news, so T called my parents. They have been very supportive since the beginning and were so happy and proud to hear the news.

T have been involved with OMC for over two years now, and it's been a blast! The scroll saw picnics have introduced me to some awesome people and some very talented woodworkers. I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Diveley for many wonderful times. I would also like to (hank. Robert Becker and George Ahlers for that one chance that will last a lifetime. Bob and Kathy Hlavacek: you've been great friends. Bob: you've been the best inspiration. H.E. Burns, whom 1 lost in April of 2003. a great brother-in-law, lost but never forgotten. And last but not least, my boys and my wife, Kelly, who have been with me through each and every project T have done. My friends and co-workers... Thanks so much.

Truly yours,

Darin Liles

16 • Creative Woodworks 8. Crafts April 2004