Over three millennia ago Egyptian craftsmen were decorating their work with inlays of small intricate patterns of ebony, ivory, and other exotic materials. We will learn the same technique, after first making some of the necessary tools — micro chisels and scratch stocks. 

 This class will cover delicate string or line inlays, larger surface inlays such as panels, making and inlaying patterned bandings, and using non-wood materials such as silver and shell. We will also look at complementary decorative edges, side beads and proud cockbeads used to highlight the edge of a table apron or drawer. 

 We will work almost entirely by hand, so naturally sharpening, tuning, and using hand tools will be an important emphasis. Students are encouraged to make small sample boards to practice designing and using these decorative techniques. As for materials, we will have most of what you'll need. But if you want to inlay something unusual — exotic or native, curly, figured, birdseye, crotch  — bring it along.