Drawstring Key Bag

Drawstring Key Bag

This scrap (faux) leather bag with a Celtic key theme is an initial exploration of a technique for using small scraps of leather or similar material leftover from other projects. I thought the tiles would be fun with a minimal Celtic key pattern motif in the center of each, then leaned into the theme with a circular key pattern ring on the bottom and, some 3D printed key, sculpted in Nomad Sculpt.

The SVG for the “leather locker” tile is linked below. You will likely want to adjust the slot height to match the thick ness of the material you are using. Let me know if you use it to make anything interesting!

Drawstring Key Bag
Drawstring Key Bag
Drawstring Key Bag
Drawstring Key Bag
Drawstring Key Bag
Drawstring Key Bag
3D-Printed Keys close-up
3D-Printed Keys
Key Bag bottom with circular Celtic key pattern and Evermore ambigram
Key Bag bottom with circular Celtic key pattern and Evermore ambigram
Copper Key Render
Copper Key Render
Silver key render
Silver key render

This file is for personal, non-commercial use only.  Note that, by referencing these, you are agreeing to release any variations you create under identical terms.

Attribution-Creative Commons NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Leather Locker SVG

Hexagonal Box

Hexagonal Box (Top)
Hexagonal Box (Side)
Hexagonal Box (Side)
Hexagonal Box (Bottom)
Hexagonal Box (Bottom)
Hexagonal Box (Top)
Hexagonal Box (Top)

This is a quick box I designed to package one of my little drawstring bags.

You can download the plain version below to make your own hexagonal box.

Hexagonal Box Pattern

This file is for personal, non-commercial use only.  Note that, by referencing these, you are agreeing to release any variations you create under identical terms.

Attribution-Creative Commons NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Hexagonal Box Pattern (SVG)

Drawstring Bag of Many Projects

Drawstring Bag 2

I have a fair amount of custom-embossed Celtic key pattern velvet left from the pillow project.  I was thinking some of it might make a cool drawstring bag.  I may have gotten a little carried away with the details:

  • Silk-lined round-bottom bag
  • A new Celtic knotwork ring design for a laser-engraved faux-leather bottom
  • Kumihimo braided drawstring
  • Customized skull beads
  • Second set of skull beads from scratch

There is a separate post with the design files for the floss separator I made for this, in case it is of use to anyone else.

It was a lot of fun and, I’m happy with the result.  Of course, I shot video of every step of the construction of both versions of the bag.

Drawstring Bag 2
Celtic key pattern embossed velvet dice bag with faux/vegan leather bottom engraved with Celtic knotwork, hand-braided kumihimo drawstring, beaded pulls (including custom 3D-printed skull beads), lined with yellow silk.
Drawstring Bag (Bottom)
Celtic key pattern embossed velvet dice bag with faux/vegan leather bottom engraved with Celtic knotwork, hand-braided kumihimo drawstring, beaded pulls, lined with yellow silk.
Drawstring Bag (Interior)
Celtic key pattern embossed velvet dice bag with faux/vegan leather bottom engraved with Celtic knotwork, hand-braided kumihimo drawstring, beaded pulls, lined with yellow silk.
Drawstring Bag 1
Drawstring Bag 1
Drawstring Bag 1
Drawstring Bag 1
Drawstring Bag 1 (Interior)
Drawstring Bag 1 (Interior)
Yellow and green kumihimo braid
Yellow and Green Kumihimo Braid
Skull Beads
Painted 3D SLA resin printed skull beads.
Marudai set up and ready to braid
Marudai set up and ready to braid
Counterweight Bag
Counterweight bag made from an old yukata
Cow bone skull beads with red seed bead eyes
Cow bone skull beads with red seed bead eyes

Celtic Key Pattern Embossed Velvet

Celtic Key Pattern Embossed Velvet

With a new couch on the way last year, I came up with a plan to create some unique thematic throw pillows to go on it. In addition to one made from a fine wool Crawford clan tartan, I envisioned one of a forest green velvet embossed with one of my key pattern designs.

I figured that some combination of heat, pressure and a rigid die/stamp/form would give me what I wanted. I tracked down some (100% polyester upholstery) velvet, ordered samples and, made a test form on the laser from 1/8″ thick MDF. I cut a key square and, experimented using my old heat press.

After some experimenting (on purple velvet, while waiting on the green), I was able to find an approach that works. I set the pressure on the heat press by putting in a single sheet of 1/8″ MDF, tightening down until it touched the board, then adding another quarter turn. The range of pressure that works is pretty narrow. Too little pressure and the resulting design is faint. Too much pressure and, you emboss the edges of the form’s base, too.

The form goes on the bottom platen, facing up. The velvet goes on the form, facing down. I mist the back of the velvet lightly with a little water so there will be a little steam (but not enough to spot the fabric).

The optimal heat seems to be about 400º F for about 15 seconds.

I broke out my vintage Elna Supermatic sewing machine and, turned some of it into a pillow. I did several extra pieces. So, look for it in future projects.

There is a full video walk-through of making the forms and the embossing and, a separate video showing off the sewing machine and making the pillow.

Celtic Key Pattern Embossed Velvet
Celtic Key Pattern Embossed Velvet
Celtic Key Square Velvet Embossing Stamp
Celtic Key Square Velvet Embossing Stamp
Celtic Key Square Velvet Embossing Test
Celtic Key Square Velvet Embossing Test
Heat Press (Open)
Heat Press
Heat Press at Temperature for Embossing Velvet
Heat Press at Temperature for Embossing Velvet
Loading the Velvet on the Form in the Heat Press
Loading the Velvet on the Form in the Heat Press
Misting the back of the velvet with water before pressing
Misting the back of the velvet with water before pressing
Embossed velvet hot off the press
Embossed velvet hot off the press
Lining up the second section to emboss
Lining up the second section to emboss
Final Celtic key pattern velvet embossing form/stamp
Final Celtic key pattern velvet embossing form/stamp
Embossed velvet
Embossed velvet
Celtic Key Pattern Embossed Velvet Pillow
Celtic Key Pattern Embossed Velvet Pillow
Celtic Key Pattern Velvet Embossing Form
Celtic Key Pattern Velvet Embossing Form

Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box

Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box

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.

Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Small maple hardwood box inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Small maple hardwood box inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut, closed, D12 for scale.
Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (Rendering)
Rendering from the parametric small inlaid Celtic key pattern box design in Fusion 360

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.

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.)