I am Ivan Calleja, a full-time geography teacher with an interest in stamp collecting, comiccharacters, sports, cars and lots more!! My passion for fretwork started by coincidencewhen, at the age of 11, I started learning the art of fretwork at school. In the first few yearsI produced a number of works including a 3D wall décor representing the Milan Cathedral,a jewel box, a small wall cabinet, a lamp shade and a Roman-themed bookrest amongstothers. Then my hobby went on hibernation for a period that lasted about 12 years. Butonce again it came knocking to me when I wanted to give an original present to a relative.The answer was not difficult to think about and from then onwards I continued to producefretwork objects in my limited free time. My latest works of art include a pair of birdbrackets, a nativity nightlight, a train plaque and an intricate dragons’ clock. The idea ofproducing fretwork Christmas ornaments has been in my mind for a quite a long time andhence I decided to give it a try!

All my works are cut with a traditional fretsaw using thin blades that allow meto achieve intricate and elaborate designs. The patterns are cut in either 3.6mm poplar or4mm birch wood. Other types of wood and thickness can be used and experimented upon.