I did another small maple and cherry box inlaid with the same Celtic key pattern as the long box I posted recently. For this one, I designed the box body parametrically, entirely in Fusion 360. I can put in the material thickness or, even, alter the dimensions of the box and, everything will adjust automatically. The lid on this one is just friction-fit (no magnets) and, I did not flock the interior. 12-sided die (D12) for scale.
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.
I made some quick-and-dirty Celtic key square relief prints with a rubber plate engraved on the laser.
Here is a video with the whole printing process.
In keeping with tradition, I present my 2019 holiday card: a 180° degree opening Celtic spirals abstract origamic architecture / kirigami-style pop up.
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.
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.)
Something I noticed pretty quickly with my new Oculus Quest VR headset is that it slips forward very easily, especially during the sort of very active games I got it to play. It is pretty front-heavy. So, some ballast on the back strap helps quite a bit.
I taped a battery pack I had on-hand to the back strap with gaffer tape to confirm that it helped with the issue. I decided I really wanted something a little more elegant, though. So, I designed and made this battery ballast pouch.
If you want to make one of these, the files are all linked below, along with instructions and a build video.
There are two pattern files: one for cutting the pouch from the faux leather and, one for the rigidity insert.
The purple square is where you would put any graphic you wanted on the flap. You could actually use all of the horizontal space to the edges of the flap, if you wanted. Anything farther towards the body (down) will bend over the top of the battery, though.
For engraving the JPP Saddle Collection faux leather on the Glowforge, I used 1000 speed, 30 power and 225 LPI. You are on your own for figuring out settings for other equipment.
Everything else in the pattern is cut using 245 speed and 60 power.
I cut the 1/8″ acrylic for the rigidity insert with the usual Proofgrade settings on the Glowforge.
These files are for personal, non-commercial use only. If you want to produce these to sell or for other business use, please contact me to arrange for licensing terms. Also note that, by referencing these, you are agreeing to release any variations you create under identical terms.
Laser-cut cherry hardwood box with maple Celtic spiral inlay.
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Here is a short folding video for the Spiraling pop up card design.
I sent this w-fold kirigami/origamic architecture pop up card out for the 2018-2019 holiday season. I was inspired by the interplay of layers popping in alternate directions in some of Ingrid Siliakus’ designs.
Have you ever been making something and, suddenly had an idea for an entirely different thing to do with it? Blackwing graphite pencil rubbing on rice paper of my Snowflake Celtic knotwork mandala design laser-etched in Baltic birch.
