As a jewelry artist I am constantly experimenting and trying new ways to make jewelry. Not only am I trying “new ways to make jewelry” but I am also experimenting with using alternative materials. I think I mentioned that we recently purchased a 3D printer and most recently a laser cutter.
Ken has taken more to the 3D printer, whereas I have taken to learning how to use the laser cutter. Over the past couple of weeks I have been spending a bit of time, not as much as I would like, to learn Inkscape to design. That in itself has been a process! I would like to learn one software and be able to use it to design and take those designs to print on the 3d printer, the laser cutter or the micro mill depending on the design and the material I want to use. I have yet to figure out if there is such a software! Or maybe I should say if there is such a software, is it affordable?
I currently have CorelDraw which I have not taken the time to learn how to use yet. I have learned just enough Inkscape to be able to design a few simple pieces that I can and have cut on the laser printer and I am leaning towards Sketchup for 3D designing for the 3D printer. If anyone has some experience with any of these I would love to hear your feedback. Or if there is a software out there that I can use to design jewelry for 3D printing, laser cutting and micro milling I would love to know about it.
On the Glowforge laser cutter so far I have tried cutting acrylic, mat board and basswood. The basswood wasn’t bad as some came with the Glowforge and is what Glowforge calls proofgrade material, meaning the settings are already pre-determined to cut and engrave on it. Glowforge also has acrylic proofgrade material, but the acrylic is limited in color and patterns.
I have a slew of acrylic samples from my interior designer friend that are waiting to be recycled into some cool avant garde jewelry. Some of them have been a bit of a challenge to get to cut. I started with the presets for the proofgrade acrylics and made some adjustments. I have some more testing to do before I find the perfect setting. I’m guessing I may find a good setting to use on some but since samples are all a bit different the settings may be too! It certainly has been trial and error to say the least.
Mat board would cut real well and then all of a sudden it would not cut all the way through! I have yet to figure out why that is. It is a learning process to say the least. It is nice that I have a bunch of materials that I can practice on.
I did cut some fun designs that I premiered in Wisconsin last weekend when I was there for my mom’s 82nd birthday celebration. My sister hosted a trunk show for me. The acrylic, mat board and basswood jewelry was received quite well. I sold most of everything I made in those materials. Of course it may have helped that I had everything priced at $20 to as low as $5. What’s not to like about $5 jewelry even if you only wear it a few times it is worth it!
I am in the process of making more. These will soon all be available for sale in my Etsy shop at www.MAEartisanjewelry.etsy.com
Next up in materials to try is leather.
While I have been playing with the laser cutter, Ken has been busy creating on the 3D printer. In between printing things he wants to try he occasionally prints a jewelry piece.
The latest are these awesome bracelets.
I’m trying to decide if I should leave as is or if I should paint them in gold, silver or copper to look like metal and or if I should embellish with crystals. What do you think?
These too will soon be available in my Etsy shop at www.MAEartisanjewelry.etsy.com
For more unique, avant garde jewelry visit www.cksventures.com
ENJOY!!
cheryl