IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers AN ARTIST AT HOME-Dave Cherry of Simi Valley, a retired electrical engineer, has found his second calling in the craft of scrollwork. The art form involves carving intricate designs into wood. Anyone daring enough to venture deep into Dave's Den in Simi Valley is sure to discover treasure-but they shouldn't expect it to be made of gold.

Dave Cherry, a retired electrical engineer and Simi Valley resident since 1974, has dedicated his golden years to perfecting the craft of scrollwork.

The art form involves the delicate practice of carving intricate designs into wood.

"It started as a hobby for me," Cherry said. "I found a saw piece and a book, and I started fooling around with it. I ended up making something that looked really nice and realized that it was something I could do well."

Scrollwork involves designing a pattern, placing it on a piece of wood and then using an instrument called a scroll saw to cut the desired pattern. Scroll saws are similar to band saws in appearance, but they operate with a repeating upand-down motion rather than in a continuous loop.

While any type of wood can be used, Cherry said he prefers to make his pieces out of inchthick solid oak.

"I had a paper towel holder that was made out of oak, but it looked awfully boring, so I did some scrollwork on it. People now see it and ask me to do the same thing for them," the artist said.

Cherry's patterns are often highly detailed and the work requires a great deal of concentration.

"Whenever you do any type of woodwork, it's important to have an understanding of wood and its behavior, but with scrollwork, you also have to have an awful lot of patience," Cherry said. "It's very tedious and takes a lot of time, and if you don't have patience you might want to look into finding another hobby."

For Cherry, what began as a hobby quickly became a passion and then transformed itself into a source of extra income.

"I ended up making so many pieces at first that my wife told me I needed to sell it to make room in our house," Cherry said.

Cherry doesn't sell his art through a store, but peddles his

pieces of scrollwork at craft and art shows under the name Dave's Den. His most recent show was held at the Simi Valley Senior Citizen's Center.

"I always have people come by the table we have and say, 'Wow! That looks like it takes a lot of work and a lot of patience,'" Cherry said, "and I always tell them that it most certainly does."

Among his pieces are clocks, shelves, boxes, napkin holders, manger scenes and crosses. Cherry can customize patterns to fit a specific person and is often asked to decorate pieces with a recipient's favorite animal.

But Cherry says his favorite pieces are the ones that hold sentimental value, such as a decorative plaque he created for his brotherin-law's 60th wedding anniversary.

"I love seeing the people's faces when I give them one of my pieces," Cherry said. "They doubt that I could have done it, but I always assure them that I made it myself."

Anyone interested in learning more about Cherry's scrollwork and the pieces he makes can reach him at (805) 527-7482.