Hallo Don,
in addition to the tips Don already made.....please check your type of saw blades!
Also important is the tooth set — Bending of the teeth, right or left, to allow blade clearance through the cut (or kerf) - so the teeths should be bended alternate to the left and than to the right -> This is helping, that the blade is not getting stuck in the timber.
For cutting curved lines like for the frames, it is necessary, that the blade is not thick, so use something like the top one from the next photo.
In Europe the scrollsaw blades are defined by numbers, for your use should be blades between 2 to 3 with small preassure, for thicker timber you can go up.
Maybe you have to try different types to get the best results.
If you cut very thin timber, like the 5mm for the frames, you should be more careful with preasure, due to the fact, that the preassure between wood and blade is located on a small area of the blade. Also important than is to cut curves very slowely and fast, the blade needs the time to cut around the edge and if you force the blade too fast around the edge, the blade will be twisted and tilted -> the blade is damaged.....
Be aware, that the pear wood is relative hard wood, so you have to make slow cuts, means do not give preasure on the wood, so that the blade is making a curve during cutting.....the blade should be every time streight vertical und should not make a bow, no preassure against the blade, the blade should make the work.
And off course it is important, that the tension is high enough, when you fix the balde into the saw -> It has to make a nice "ping" when you test with finger the tension (with switched off saw!)
This is a good video I found on youtube