Having access to a maker space and laser cutter is beyond awesome - see Laser Cutting and 3D Printing at My Local Maker Space which I wrote a while ago.

At first, I bought some jewelry cut files to use as I began laser cutting wood pieces.  I found it fun to learn how to prepare SVG cut files for the laser cutter.  Fortunately, the maker space staff were wonderfully patient as I learned bit by bit what worked and what didn't.

I also realized that while graphic designers created beautiful cut files, they were not necessarily jewelry designers themselves. So some of the SVG cut files I used did not always translate very well as actual jewelry pieces.

That lead me to consider designing my own which meant I had to learn how to use drawing programs - the one I use most is the open source (i.e. free) Inkscape.  My daughter, a whiz at different drawing programs helped me get started.

Shapes and Frames is my first SVG cut file. My long dormant Etsy lives again!  I have provided the cut file in 4 formats, SVG, DXF, PNG and PDF.  You may sell what you make using my cut file! See the listing for the full terms of use.

These are the foundation for a few of my future and upcoming designs. But these common jewelry shapes and frames can be used as they are in so many different ways. The possibilities are endless!



I chose these popular shapes - round, diamond, rectangle, teardrop, square, reverse tear drop, heart, oval and dagger, all with tabbed holes. Tabbed holes give a more finished look to designs. The cut file also includes a small circle with a tabbed hole which is useful as stud earrings which can be paired to dangles.

The shapes and frames can also be combined for layered designs. Mix and match them!


Those of you who have Cricut or Silhouette electronic die cutters will be able to use my cut file to mix and match leather cut outs.  If you don't have such a machine, you could print out the PDF and use that as a template for cutting.  But honestly, it is faster on these machines. And you will be able to easily size pieces to what you like.

Laser cutters can cut leather but they cannot cut faux leather which is most often made from PVC - dangerous chlorine gas is released. But the Cricut or Silhouette can cut either.

I have a README with the SVG file download but I should mention one important thing here.  If you have a Silhouette Basic, you must use the DXF version of the cut file as you will not be able to use the SVG.  Thanks to my friends, Sonya (rocpoet) and Gloria Uhler of Domestic Diva Online for testing out on their Silhouettes!


You can also use the internal cuts of the frame pieces and combine them with appropriate shapes.  Those internal cuts should be saved and not wasted!

The earrings below were riveted with TierraCast rivetable flowers and compression rivets.  I will share the tutorial at a later date.

You can also use my cut files to create your own laser cut wood pieces - either at your local maker studio or with a commercial laser cutting service like Outfab.

But I realize not everyone has access to such resources. Nor want large quantities especially if you just want to try them out.  So I am providing laser cut wood supplies in smaller quantities.


These come in two different sizes, so check my listings information carefully. The "larger" sizes are suitable as pendants and statement earrings. The "regular" sizes could be used as smaller pendants and earrings.


I have carefully chosen the sizes on the Goldilocks principle - not too large and not too small. I also factored in certain designs in mind - all will be revealed in due course.


It took some experimentation to get to the final designs!  Look at the giant holes in my first efforts below!  I also did not like the sharp angle of the dagger cut out so I have literally cut off that point.


If you are cutting your own wood pieces, you can add the holes to make use of the internal cut out of frames.  You can use a leather punch to add those holes for leather cuts on the die cutters.  Or use the cut outs as is.

The frames and cut out shapes are available separately on my Etsy.





































As the laser is quite precise in cutting, you can easily make the cuts smaller than what I provide so long as you can still get jump rings through the holes.  For example, the oval set on the right above is sized 50% of the main pendant and statement earrings oval set on the left.

Die cutters though may not be able to cut to such reduced sizes so please test with paper first.

As you can see even the "pendants and statement earrings" size is not that large. The frame on the right is sized for earrings and smaller pendants.


Why wood? They are light, organic, recyclable and inexpensive. I use Baltic birch plywood -  this wood is sustainable and eco-friendly. Another popular sustainable wood is bamboo.  You can easily transform wood into so many different colors and patterns.

The laser cut wood pieces are unfinished. Bare wood will soon pick up dirt and skin oils. So you will have to first sand lightly - this also removes the slight scorch marks due to the laser. Then stain or paint and seal.  You can use either spray or brush on acrylic paints and varnishes.

Shown below are some design inspirations and styles you can use. I will share tutorials on how I made these in the near future. 

Minimalist kind of person?  Keep it simple with painted frames in favorite colors or to match outfits. 


Stained rectangular frame layered with a beautiful Tierracast antique silver plated feather for a unique pendant! This is from their Southwestern collection which I received for review. 


Go modern with paint! Mix the wooden stud earrings with any shape!



Or add Tierracast metal stud earrings -  to painted wood shapes for an elegant look. The hearts come from the larger of the Simple Shapes group.


Adding metallic accents is another way to go. I used jump rings to attach this gorgeous Swarovski crystal charms from Tierracast.  If you pick the right sized jump rings and place them on either side of the tab, they stay put and will not slide down the round frame. Really!


Stained or painted wood frames are a great alternative for wired designs!  Easy peasy! These are large reverse tear drop frames.


You can also do the same with Fireline! These frames can be found here.


Stained wood frames are perfect for real flower and resin jewelry!  This large square wood frame is from this listing.


Then there is decoupage!  I just love origami paper on wood. You can just seal/varnish on top. But I like the faux glass effect of resin to finish.  I teamed up the laser cut wood stud earrings with the diamond shape with tabbed holes from this listing.


There are so many ways to craft your gems!

Please check my Etsy from time to time for updates.  If I do run out of some things, I will cut more!

Photography
I used my iPhone 6S with the Camera+  app. I used  the Orangemonkie studio which comes equipped with LED lights - for artificial light photography in my windowless basement studio. The Foldio2 is particularly affordable. I use the Foldio3 because I need the room for tutorial photography.  

My online class Easy Guide to Smartphone Jewelry Photography is now available. Read more about it here.  

Before You Go:

Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
 ______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips