Making Magnificent Wood Art is a guide to wood mosaic with tutorial projects by Meleah Gabhart. Released 24th Feb 2026 by Fox Chapel, it's 128 pages and is available in softbound (paperback) and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a very well written and logically arranged tutorial guide featuring lots of intricate and attractive wood mosaics. The projects are beautifully complex and unbelievably detailed.
The introduction covers tools, materials, setup, wood selection, and safety. The choice of scroll saw is covered in depth. The practical tutorial chapters which follow include info on the process of cutting, forming, finishing, detailing, hanging the finished project, lettering, etc. The text is accompanied by plenty of clear, color photos throughout.
The bulk of the subject matter is given over to an in-depth and fascinating exploration of wood as medium, with detailed information about choosing grain, active planning and use of materials to exploit color and natural variations, planning projects and some troubleshooting.
The project tutorial chapters include four full projects with instructions. Scale templates are included. Each tutorial includes an introduction, list of tools and supplies, and step-by-step photo/text directions. It is *not* a beginner guide, although with access to tools, materials, and guided instruction, a keen (and patient) intermediate woodworker could conceivably do a credible job.
Four and a half stars. Well written and illustrated. Very well photographed throughout. This would make an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, gift-giving, activity groups, maker's groups, and for the woodworker's home studio library.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
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