Intro:  How to make laser-cut Holiday decorations

Every Christmas tree needs ornaments. Whether you plan on covering the tree completely or use decorations sparingly, you'll probably want to make a few new ornaments for a new Christmas.

Dig into these Christmas ornament Instructables for some helpful methods involving origami and other methods. None of it is too difficult and before long you'll have something new to add to the tradition.

intro: How to make laser-cut Holiday decorations

This Instructable shows you how to make simple laser-cut decorations for the Holidays using Ponoko. If you've never worked with a laser-cutter or have only used a vector art package once or twice before, then this guide is for you.

After my last Instructable on making a laser-cut lamp, I wanted to create a clearer step-by-step guide. As long as you've got a computer that can run a vector software package you'll be able to achieve some very cool results.

If you prefer to skip the Instructable and just get making, feel free to download the .eps files I've already created.

Let me know how you get on!

 

Intro:  How to make laser-cut Holiday decorations

  

Every Christmas tree needs ornaments. Whether you plan on covering the tree completely or use decorations sparingly, you'll probably want to make a few new ornaments for a new Christmas.

Dig into these Christmas ornament Instructables for some helpful methods involving origami and other methods. None of it is too difficult and before long you'll have something new to add to the tradition.

Extract from the web:

How to make laser-cut Holiday decorations

by danemery on December 4, 2007

Table of Contents

intro: How to make laser-cut Holiday decorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Stuff you'll need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Finding images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: Download and open Inkscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 4: Download and open Ponoko Inkscape starter kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 5: Import images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 6: Tracing the image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 7: Adding a hole (and maybe a twinkle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 8: Changing line colors and widths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 9: Arrange on P1.svg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 10: Creating a Ponoko-ready .eps file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 11: Uploading .eps files to Ponoko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

step 12: Choosing materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

step 13: Adding materials to your .eps files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

step 14: Make your decorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

step 15: Laser-cutting... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

step 16: Laser-cut parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

step 17: Finishing touches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Customized Instructable T-shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

step 1: Stuff you'll need

You'll only need a few things for this Instructable:

A steady hand

Inkscape

Ribbon/String/Cord/Twine - we used

step 1:  Stuff you'll need

 

You'll only need a few things for this Instructable: A steady hand [http://www.inkscape.org/ Inkscape] Ribbon/String/Cord/Twine - we used elasticated ribbon [http://w…

 

step 2:  Finding images

 

You'll need to find images that are in the style of the decoration you'd like to make. [http://images.google.com/ Google Images search] is great for this. Just head on over…

 

step 3:  Download and open Inkscape

 

If you haven't already got Inkscape installed, head on over to [http://www.inkscape.org/ Inkscape.org] and download the latest version of Inkscape for your computer. Inksca…

 

step 4:  Download and open Ponoko Inkscape starter kit

 

You're now ready to download and open the Ponoko [http://www.ponoko.com/makeandsell/downloads?utm_source=instructables&utm_campaign=instructables-dec-2007&utm_medium=webpag…

 

step 5:  Import images

 

With your P1.svg open, you can import an image from which to create your decorations. To import, click on "File > Import..." (See the first image below). Then find the …

 

step 6:  Tracing the image

 

In this step, I'll show you how to trace over the image to create the shape of the bell. Some of the terms I use may be unfamiliar, especially if you haven't used Inksc…

 

step 7:  Adding a hole (and maybe a twinkle)

 

Because I want to hang my decorations, I need to add a small hole to the top of the bell. When you hang your decorations you'll need to think about two things: the size…

 

step 8:  Changing line colors and widths

 

To make sure the laser-cutter cuts and engraves the right bits of the decoration, you'll need to change the colors and widths of the lines you've already drawn. To change t…

 

step 9:  Arrange on P1.svg

 

It's time to choose how big you want your decorations to be. '''Making your decoration fit''' I decided I wanted 6 decorations on my P1.svg. I resized the decoration an…

 

step 10:  Creating a Ponoko-ready .eps file

 

Currently, Ponoko only accepts .eps files. This means changing your P1.svg to a P1.eps. In Inkscape, this is an easy task. Choose "Save As..." from the "File" menu. …

 

step 11:  Uploading .eps files to Ponoko

 

Your .eps files are ready to now upload to Ponoko! 1. If you've already got a MyPonoko account - then [http://www.ponoko.com/home?utm_source=instructables&utm_campaign=i…

 

step 12:  Choosing materials

 

It's time to choose a material. While still in MyPonoko, click on the "Show me the material catalog first" button or [http://www.ponoko.com/makeandsell/materials?utm_sou…

 

step 13:  Adding materials to your .eps files

 

Once you've made a choice, select your material for each .eps file. Go back to your MyPonoko account and click the "Yes" button under the 'Would you like to add material…

 

step 14:  Make your decorations

 

The final step in MyPonoko is to make your decorations. Click the "Make it" button to start making. The first screen confirms the details of your order as well as sh…

 

step 15 Laser-cutting...

 

So what happens between the time you make your order to when your parcel leaves PonokoHQ? A few people asked how the laser-cutter works its magic, so this movie shows it cu…

 

step 16 Laser-cut parts

 

With the laser-cut parts in your hands, peel off the adhesive film. (The film protects the material while it's cut by the laser-cutter.) The pieces will pop out easily.

 

step 17 Finishing touches

 

Hang your decoration by attaching ribbon/string/twine through the hole at the top of the bell. Then hang it from wherever needed, in my case, my tree :) If you'd like…