So it’s been two weeks since my GF arrived, and I’ve been a bit busy learning the works, working out which settings cut and which scorch, which singe and which vapourise! Here are my projects to date that don’t include the obligatory escutcheon (see that post) and the getting-to-know-you projects. Oh, and the very singed test runs!
[rubber stamp, etched book cover (A6), etched glass coaster, test run greyboard Christmas decs, 15" high set of praying hands (cardboard and papier mache) and ‘carved’ text into HDF]
Yup… I’ve taken notice of all the warnings about non-Proofgrade materials, but hey, I’m in the UK and clicked ‘I haven’t yet got a dealer’ and got on with it.
Tealight done in greyboard - I’m hoping to find some thin wood to make the real thing, with enough of a living hinge thing going on to curve it in the same way. There are tabs on the corners of the uprights to hold them to the top and bottom (corresponding slots), with the topmost layer hiding the slotted bits. The shape is maintained by these and the inner base section. Almost a no-glue solution, at least in greyboard!
And here’s the production model of the tealight holder, made from 1.5mm birch ply. Seems I got the curve and cut outs just right to bend, and a few score lines top and bottom of the grid on the inside curve help with that. I just need to find a better quality ply, or less tacky masking.
A couple more weeks, and many more experiments. Latest are etched ceramic tiles. Top tip - smear porcelain pens over the etch with finger tip, then wipe off quickly with paper towel. Bonus is that you can then bake the tile to make it proper permanent
Examples below have etched drop cap and text, the rest is drawn freehand.
