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Our History and Background

	Our business is operated from our home deep in the woods of Central Wisconsin. Situated on 28 acres of woodland, we craft our products in the serenity of our environment. Many times we will have wildlife come up to our doors or windows to see what is making the noise. The wood shop (pictured below) commonly has wild deer at it's door investigating the hum of the scroll saw. When we are not working on our products, we spend time in our gardens, feed the chickens, or simply take a stroll through the trails we have created throughout our land.

Her items have been very popular at craft shows throughout Wisconsin. Her return to craft shows every year, brings a surprise to visitors every year to see what Pam is doing this year.

Pam's painting has a family history as her Grandfather was also a painter.

Creating the materpiece that is now the kitchen cabinets. The cat in the photo is Simon who was the oldest of 3 Siamese. All three will be remembered on the walls throughout the house.	This is a picture of the inside of the bathroom door at WiseAcres. It's hard to believe that it's actualy a plain door and flat wall. Amazing what a little paint can do! (The cat in this photo is Nermal who was the youngest of the three cats.)
The cabinets in their finished state.
** click on photos for larger version **

Mark Jackering ~ Wood Craftsman

Mark spends most of his time in his workshop. Using some of the most advanced machinery in the business (Hegner scroll saw pictured) and machinery passed down through several generations (Delta table saw from three generations and still going strong), his fretwork creations are one of a kind.

About ten years ago a lifelong interest in woodworking led WiseAcres' Mark Jackering to fretwork as a creative outlet. Mark has been selling his handcrafted work at arts and crafts fairs throughout the state of Wisconsin since early 1989.

Though Mark often claims "practice, practice and more practice" is the key to success with any woodworking project, his innate attention to the finest detail and inexhaustible patience are evidenced by the heirloom quality of his work.

Mark also enjoys meeting customers and fellow woodworkers to exchange ideas about cutting technique and wood preferences. It's not only a passion and hobby, but also an inspiration.

Mark has won awards at crafting events and his knowledge of woodworking was recognized by the DeWalt company as he demonstrated machinery at the Milwaukee Power Tool Show. Mark was published in Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine with an original pattern and detailed description on its creation.

A Brief History of Fretwork

Fretwork is a form of craftwork created by sawing ornate, intricate patterns with numerous inside and cutout openings involving many quick sharp turns.

The ancient popularity of the art form is evidenced by the ornamental fretlike overlays found on furniture removed from 3000 year old Egyptian tombs. Fretwork veneers are found on early Greek and Roman furniture. In 18th century Europe craftsmen Duncan Phyfe and Thomas Chippendale used elaborate fretwork patterns in their work.

Fretwork became popular in the United States in the mid 1800's with Victorian architecture and the demand grew for wooden household items with ornamental embellishments and delicate, detailed designs.

The main difference between fretwork then and now is the array of excellent tools and saws now available. However the basic technique remains essentially the same as over a century ago.

Mark and Pam's only son Matt is the webmaster and graphic designer for WiseAcres. Matt owns and operates Fun Factory Disc Jockey Systems, a mobile DJ company in Appleton, Wisconsin and is also a staff web designer for ProDJ.com.

Matt's own website was featured in Mobile Beat and DJ Times magazines (DJ trade magazines) and was designated as "the best site we featured".

Although not a part of the every day operations of WiseAcres, Matt is still a very important part of the family business.