Celtic Key Pattern Inlaid Long Box

Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault

Celtic key pattern long box of hard maple inlaid with walnut and flocked interior. I think my second foray into laser-cut wood inlay went pretty well. This is probably not an optimal dice vault but, it looks good with these turquoise gemstone dice. I’ll likely do a proper dice vault in the future. the build video is more of a “what I did” than a “how to.” The beauty shots were a great opportunity to play with the new motion control robot.

Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (end view)
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. End view showing Celtic key square.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (hand-held for scale)
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (with bottlecap for scale)
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Bottle cap for scale.

180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card

180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card

In keeping with tradition, I present my 2019 holiday card: a 180° degree opening Celtic spirals abstract origamic architecture / kirigami-style pop up.

180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card
180° Degree Spirals origamic architecture / kirigami pop up card for the 2019 year-end holidays.
180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card
180° Degree Spirals origamic architecture / kirigami pop up card for the 2019 year-end holidays.
180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card
180° Degree Spirals origamic architecture / kirigami pop up card for the 2019 year-end holidays.
180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card
180° Degree Spirals origamic architecture / kirigami pop up card for the 2019 year-end holidays.
180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card
180° Degree Spirals origamic architecture / kirigami pop up card for the 2019 year-end holidays.
180° Degree Spirals Pop Up Card
180° Degree Spirals origamic architecture / kirigami pop up card for the 2019 year-end holidays.

Laser-Scoring Both Sides of a Card

Laser-scoring both sides of a card

I have had several people ask me about this. So, I made a video showing how to score both sides of a piece of paper or card stock with precision alignment using the laser.

After cutting and scoring the front of the card, I cut an outline of the reversed card and, set up a simple right-angle jig to make it easy to put the cut cards in the same spot in the machine. I discuss several methods for work hold-down and, how to adjust for minor errors in the setup.

I am consistently able to get hair-line alignment using this approach.

While I am using a Glowforge here, this technique is essentially the same in other laser cutters.

Laser-scoring both sides of a card
Laser-scoring both sides of a card
mountain folds vs. valley folds
Mountain folds vs. valley folds
microscope shot of scoring the reverse side with a laser
microscope shot of scoring the reverse side with a laser
Acrylic square for positioning
Acrylic square for positioning
Positioning the acrylic square
Positioning the acrylic square
Acrylic square in place
Acrylic square in place
Ready to score the reverse of a card
Ready to score the reverse of a card

Resources

2019 XOXO card

Glowforge Boot (for reducing tray movement)

Acrylic Square / Fiducial Alignment Ruler

(While this incorporates fiducial markings for a beta alignment feature you may not have (Snapmarks), we are NOT using that here. We just need a right angle piece that will stay put and, let us consistently put our cards in the same spot in the machine.)

Spray Adhesive

Seklema work hold-down mat

Amazon referral links for some parts and incidentals defray IT and hosting costs for a local arts organization (Arizona Aikido).

Celtic Key Patterns

Celtic Key Square

Celtic key (or maze) patterns figure prominently in a few past and a bunch of upcoming projects. So, I made a quick video with some basics on how I assemble those as vector art images.  I used Inkscape for these but, the principles are the same for any vector art program.

https://youtu.be/i3t1D0n9lbs
  • Celtic Key Square
  • Celtic Key Panel

Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction by George Bain

Celtic Key Patterns by Ian Bain

Celtic Pattern: Visual Rhythms of the Ancient Mind by Adam Tetlow

(Proceeds from associate links defray hosting costs for a local arts organization, Arizona Aikido.)