Jenifer Enright- intarsia/woodworker

Originally from Upstate New York, I now live in Long Beach, Mississippi. My grandfather taught me how to make candlesticks on the lathe when I was just a little duffer. For a short period after learning the lathe, I dabbled in sign-making using a router, and finally attempted projects on the scroll saw. Requests from friends started coming in at that point, and the scroll saw has since been my bff. Soon after moving to Long Beach, I tried an intarsia piece I found in a woodworking magazine. I then took a few intarsia classes and became officially hooked.

 An Intarsia piece is created through the selection of different types of wood, using their natural grain pattern and color, to create the design. Each piece of the project is individually cut and shaped and sometimes raised to create more depth. I use no paints or stains. I let the grain of the wood speak to its precise placement for greatest effect. And though I consider myself a woodworker, in general, I focus my attention on intarsia because of the fascination each picture offers in every step of its process. You just need to look at the detail on one of my pieces to understand. But all in all, if I’m creating sawdust, I’m content.