Inlaid Hardwood Box
I have been wanting to try wood inlay using the laser. I eventually figured out that some issues with previous explorations using acrylic were due to a consistency problem with Corel Draw’s SVG export. Although PDF export is workable, I have mostly switched to using Inkscape for this sort of thing.
I did a couple of test pieces to get the fit right (I actually spent more time on the box tabs). So, this is my first completed piece.
This is .25-inch cherry hardwood with maple inlay. The box is 2.5 inches square and about 1.55-inches tall (phi-ish FTW). Box assembly is good but, not snap-fit. The lid fits tightly on its own but, I added small magnets for a little extra grip. The outer surfaces are finished with wipe-on polyurethane.
This was a good learning experiment and, I have a list of things to try for the next attempt.
Spiraling Pop Up Card Folding Video
Here is a short folding video for the Spiraling pop up card design.
Spiraling Pop Up Card
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.
Arizona Glowforge Get-Together
Greetings, Arizona Glowforgers!
There is going to be a get-together for Arizona Glowforge users and people interested in the Glowforge to meet each other on Saturday, 18 January 2020 at Angel’s Trumpet Ale House in downtown Phoenix (810 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004) from 3PM to about 5PM. If you are interested in the Glowforge or, even just meeting some other local makers, please stop in and say hello!
Note that this is not an official Glowforge-sponsored event. Some of us just decided it would be fun to meet up.
If you think you are going to attend, it would be nice if you let me know so we can grab a table of the appropriate size.
Glowforge Get-Together
18 January 2020 @3PM
Angel’s Trumpet Ale House
810 N. 2nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
XOXO 2019 Origamic Architecture / Kirigami Pop Up Card
I designed this in honor of the 2019 XOXO Fest! Turning a simple sheet of paper into a pop up card is fun and, I encourage you to try it.
If you have a laser cutter or a CNC cutting machine (or “craft cutter”), you can load the SVG file below into your software and, use that to cut out the card. If you can adjust the power or depth and pressure of your cuts to only cut halfway through, you can also cut the mountain fold lines with your machine.
You can also do it entirely by hand! Download and print the pattern on a piece of card stock. If you want to keep the front of your card pretty, reverse the pattern and, you’ll be cutting from the back side. Just remember to score your fold lines on the correct side.
You can also tape a printed pattern to a piece of card stock and, use a straight pin to poke a small hole at each junction of lines. You can then remove the pattern and, use a ruler to score and cut your piece. You can also use this approach with the pin to help make your valley fold score lines on the reverse.
The paper will tend to fold away from a score line. By scoring mountain folds on the front and valley folds on the back, you will make the card easier to fold.
Here is a video walkthrough of cutting a card by hand:
Glowforge Settings
Score: speed 500 / power 9
Cut: speed 250 / power 36
Fast Cut (card outline): speed 500 / power 69
Pattern Files
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.
Right-click and “Save Link As”:
XOXO 2019 Pop Up Card Pattern SVG
XOXO 2019 Pop Up Card PDF (original zine page with pattern)
Check out the whole XOXO 2019 zine
Got the bug? Make a Flower Pop Up Card
Related: 2015 XOXO Pop Up Card
Lunar Lander Pop Up Card
50 years ago today, humans first set foot on the moon. I made this origamic architecture / kirigami style pop up card of their landing craft as a tribute to that great achievement.