How to Make Marquetry Trellis Work for a Jewel Box

Marquetry is the art of taking small pieces of different colored woods, cutting designs and fitting the pieces together for a picture or new design. While time consuming, marquetry doesn't have to be difficult for those that are just learning. Learning how to make trellis work will aid in your mastery of this art form.

Things You'll Need

• Tracing paper or grease pen
• Tape measure
• Knife
• Sand
• Skillet
• Contrasting veneers
• PVA glue

Instructions

1. Decide the background veneer that you wish to use. It should complement the top veneer you use for the trellis work.

2. Mark out a grid that has 1/4 inch squares. Tape the grid or mark it with a visible grease pen. Ensure accuracy by making parallel vertical and horizontal lines that are 1/4 inch apart.

3. Cut a few pieces from the top veneer that are 1/4 by 3/4 inch. Scorch the long sides of each by dipping the long sides in hot sand that has been heated to 350 degrees in a skillet. This gives shading and the contour necessary for trellis work. Cut a few in half.

4. Lay out your pattern on the grid. Place the lower edge of one of the half pieces on the bottom edge of the first row second box from the left on the grid. Skip a box on the grid and lay a piece with the length vertical. It should fill the border box and two more down. Continue to skip a box and alternate short and long. Cut out the slot and insert the veneer. Hold with gummed paper veneer tape on the finish side.

5. Begin the second row. Cut an opening for the first horizontal piece by removing three boxes in the second row. Place the horizontal piece in to butt up against the second vertical strip. Tape in place.

6. Continue on the alternating pattern using only full strips. Hold all together with gummed paper veneer tape. Flip over and glue all the pieces by rubbing white PVA glue into the cut openings. Clean the project face afterward.

7. Create a quarter inch border of veneer to frame to lid. You will need to glue the trellis work to the top of the box. Create a frame of a complementary color to surround the trellis work.