I used my bandsaw to cut thin wood blanks for the laser cutter.
Photo description: purple heart, hickory, and flame maple thin boards
One disadvantage of thin cut hardwood is that it can be brittle. Plywood is constructed with layers of wood glued with the grain perpendicular to add strength, which is why most of the laser cut kits include plywood. As an example, I tried cutting the “Happy New Year” ornament from purple heart and I couldn’t even take it out of the machine without it breaking. (I did mention this in the post Wednesday, but did’t post the fail, so here it is!)
Photo description: failed Happy New Year ornament
So the challenge here is to design for support and strength when working with these hardwoods. I do have some ideas.
I have been designing this graphic in my head for about two years, and have finally made it happen! It is available on Redbubble and TeePublic (which are sister sites, but carry different styles).
Photo description: “Sit and Spin” words in old script with the silhouette of a traditional spinning wheel and radial lines representing the action of spinning
In September 2011 I was experimenting with ways to make jewelry from buttons without destroying the button. One of Grandma’s pet peeves was when buttons had been glued or cut to “upcycle” them (she was a button collector).
I came up with a wire wrap that utilized a four hole button, making it into a link component.
Photo description: first step of a button spiral cluster using two pieces of 20 gauge sterling silver wire threaded though hand made wire coils, then the button holes, then interlocked Photo description: step 2 begins making each leg of wire into a spiralPhoto description: close up of finished spiral cluster securing a button nondestructively Photo description: full necklace with identical buttons wire wrapped in silver
I actually took production photos for this necklace, for which I am now very thankful.
Photo description: laser cut Happy New Year ornament made from birch plywood held up against the blue sky
I tried cutting this shape from purple heart, but it was too brittle and crumbled coming out of the machine. The plywood is a little better; it still has some flex but still breaks easily with the thinness of the design. As I experiment, I hope to learn solid design parameters as applied to laser cuts. Let the experiments continue!
I hope y’all have a year full of creativity and purpose! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it brings some inspiration and amusement.
My mother-in-law asked me to take a look at a broken bracelet. It is a lovely piece with metal beads and a metal focal, that was strung with elastic. The elastic had been knotted and fitted with knot covers that then connected to jump rings, and those knot covers were where the elastic failed. Knot covers are risky jewelry components. They work well for silk strung lightweight beads with a large solid knot that will hold inside the knot cover. Elastic is hard to knot securely, especially at the end. Metal beads are also hard on both elastic and silk, and tend to fray the stringing material faster than smooth beads.
Photo description: broken bracelet laid out on a bead board with remaining components
Rather than risk another elastic mishap, I switched the bracelet to a clasp style. The focal actually works well to receive a lobster style clasp. I used 49 strand beading wire with double crimp beads for durability and added some coordinating metal beads to make enough length that the bracelet is loose when clasped.
Photo description: repaired bracelet on a bead boardPhoto description: bracelet shown clasped
I can’t guarantee the bracelet won’t break again. It is one of the reasons I don’t make and sell jewelry anymore: even well made jewelry wears out and is prone to breakage. I don’t mind this kind of fixing, though.
The other reasons I don’t make jewelry: over a third of booths at every craft show I’ve been to sell jewelry, and I don’t wear necklaces and rarely bracelets so I’m not even advertising my own work.
Critters and Craft 