Adventures in Laser Cutting

Something very exciting happened at my work this year…we got a laser cutter!  I love laser cut products and have been a fan of the detail and professional quality you can achieve from using a laser cutter.  It has been great fun learning how to use this shiny new piece of kit and exploring the creative possibilities it has to offer to our students.  It arrived in time for some Christmas gift making totally essential practice, which was a bonus too!

Necklace for me ;-)

Whale necklace combining different coloured and transparent acrylic

I was so excited I kind of went crazy ordering myself bright and shiny acrylic in all the colours of the rainbow to have a play around.  I love anything that can be personalised and also love the look of in your face acrylic jewellery.  Here are some of the results of my experimenting.  

It has been great for me to develop my Adobe Illustrator skills and also make me think about drawing becoming products or more 3D.  I would like to develop some statement pieces that are more sculptural.  I also like the idea of exploring layering and combing different materials.  I can’t wait to try out some different things.

Handmade Gifts

Cuddle Kitty

I love to when possible make handmade gifts for people.  I like the idea of being able to create something with that person in mind as well as having a reason to make and get creative.  I love to make things for children the best.  I like trying to match an idea to a little person’s personality and the love the idea that something can be adapted and personalised.  Here are a few images of some gifts I have made over the past couple of years.

Super Finn

Ballet Bags

Crayon and Sketchbook Rolls

Crayon and Sketchbook Rolls

a sneaky peak...

I've got lots of top secret projects on the go at the moment which proves a little tricky when it comes to the world of blogging. 

Tonight I have been whipping up custom travel journal for a birthday gift for a friend of mine who is going on a lovely little trip with her hubby for her 50th birthday this weekend.  I also made a never been seen before 50 things to do before 60. 

As for the rest of what I'm up to well that's just too top secret to share at the moment.  Watch this space as I will be taking lots of bad photographs photographs to share here once it's safe.