Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-04, страница 32

J don't tliink that there is a render of this magazine who is not familiar with Wildwood Designs, and. like any other business, there is a story behind it. Jim Reidle, founder of Wildwood Designs, learned his win id working, like many of us, by watching his father. Jim's Dad, WenciJ, had built his own hardware store and operated a lumber and machinery yard in Yuba, Wisconsin, and he found great enjoyment in making models and scroll sawing. He created extremely detailed 1/1 Oth scale working models of early American transportation and farm machinery. When he didn't have a machine on band, he used photographs and drawings supplied by salesmen for sources; of his models and used whatever material he could find for their construction. In the early 1900s there were no hobby shops that sold scalc parts, so lie had to create everything by hand.

Jim still keeps all of liis Dad's works of art on display in the store, and f don't use the term "works of art" lightly. Between the working models and the scroll saw work, there is an impressive testimonial to his talents represented, and that talent has obviously been passed on lo Jim.

Wencil made this model of the Apostle Clock in 1920, using a foot- powered Rogers scroll saw and the wood of cigar boxes. For you younger readers, cigar boxes were made of 1/4" mahogany in those days, and were prized by woodworkers.

32 • Creative Woodworks 6. Crafts April 20Jh