Isaiah cuts a project on the Hawk G4 scroll saw he bought with his own money.
Vermont youth named artist of the month
Twelve-year-old Isaiah Strong, of Saxtons River, Vt., has been creating quite a buzz in the local woodworking community. As the youngest member ever to join the Jelly Bean Tree artisans’ cooperative, Isaiah works far beyond his years creating everything from intricate puzzles and decorative elements to detailed jewelry boxes.
It all began at the tender age of eight, when his father bought Isaiah a Delta Shopmaster scroll saw, and his grandfather purchased some pattern books for him from Fox Chapel Publishing. Together they showed the eager youngster how to glue patterns onto the wood and carefully cut along the lines with his saw. Working under the tutelage of his father, Isaiah proved a quick study. Starting with simple toys, he soon moved on to more complicated projects and puzzles. Isaiah has also crafted decorative storage boxes for his puzzles. After three years, the enterprising youth earned enough money from the sale of his woodworking, lawn mowing, and other odd jobs to purchase a new higher-end scroll saw. Now, Isaiah can create intricate work using thicker pieces of wood.
“I saved up enough to buy a professional Hawk G4 26-inch scroll saw,” Isaiah said. “It was the newest model Hawk had available. I don’t go off of the lines much anymore.”
For the past two years. Isaiah has been home schooled, which gives him more time to focus on his craft. He has developed his woodworking skills and now the wooden pieces of his puzzles fit together tighter than ever before.
“Isaiah’s progress over the past five years has really been amazing,” said Don Strong, Isaiah’s father. “I believe he definitely has a natural talent for this kind of work.”
Isaiah shows off his work on display at the Jelly Bean Tree artisans’ cooperative.
“I saved up enough to buy a professional Hawk G4 26-inch scroll saw,” Isaiah said. “It was the newest model Hawk had available. I don’t go off of the lines much anymore.”
“I saved up enough to buy a professional Hawk G4 26-inch scroll saw,” Isaiah said. “It was the newest model Hawk had available. I don’t go off of the lines much anymore.”
Coming from a long line of woodworkers on his father’s side of the family, Isaiah has developed his own wood preferences.
“I mostly like working with oak, maple, cherry, and pine,” Isaiah said. These woods are harvested from family property and processed at his uncle’s sawmill.
Last June, Isaiah set out to market his work through the Jelly Bean Tree artisans’ cooperative. Isaiah designed business cards on the computer and created a full-page flyer that showed photos of him working in his woodshop. Armed with samples of his work, Isaiah walked into the local shop and introduced himself to Mary Hepburn, one of the original founders of the cooperative, now celebrating it’s 30th anniversary.
“Isaiah impressed me as a very confident and capable 12-year-old,” Mary said. “It so happened that I was about to choose an artist of the month for the cooperative and his work was of such fine quality I immediately offered the honor to him. The resulting publicity was good for both of us, as he presented us with the opportunity for a unique spin on our usual monthly press release.”
Isaiah thinks it’s great being a member of the cooperative, and it doesn’t bother him one bit that he is their youngest member. Not only does he enjoy the association with other artists, but also the exposure it gives his work. Isaiah and his mother take turns helping out in the shop, where he has quickly learned the shop routine and even the bookkeeping system.
“I like being a member of the Jelly Bean Tree organization and having my work where people can see it and buy it,” Isaiah said.
Ever trying to improve his craft, Isaiah enjoys the challenge of finding increasingly difficult patterns on the Internet as well as pulling patterns from Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine. Isaiah has even tried to make a few patterns of his own.
In addition to woodworking, Isaiah is interested in mechanics, gardening, and yard work, and is always available for hire. You can reach Isaiah by e-mail at isaiahstrong96@yahoo.com. To contact the artisans’ cooperative, e-mail info@mainstreetarts.org.
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