Glowforge Projects — Cut, Engrave, Amaze
Today brought an overflow of Holiday spirit, with Natalie and artisan Louisa crafting unique rustic reindeer coasters using the Glowforge Aura. They cut reindeer patterns from cherry wood, burning the edges for a warm, toasted look that screams, “winter is here!”
After the laser cuts were done, Louisa dipped each piece into a mixture of polyurethane and water to give the coasters a shiny, durable finish. The duo managed to create 30 coasters in only two hours, perfect for a festive gift or thoughtful Christmas table-setting addition.
Tips & Tricks:
• Try different settings for the best shade of toastiness.
• Make sure the wood is flat against the Glowforge tray for accurate cuts.
• Cleaning the lens regularly ensures sharper lines and intricate details.
Cricut Maker — Vinyl & Iron-On Magic
Walk into today’s studio, and it rang with laughter and the whirl of the Cricut Maker 3, cutting intricate snowflake designs on vinyl. Guided by Natalie, the evening class got their hands a little sticky, adhering the vinyl onto homemade candles for a winter-themed candlelight project.
Post-crafting, the earthy pine, and festive cinnamon scents filled the room, each candle sporting a unique snowflake design. As participant Holly put it, “Bonne ambiance, Christmas vibes on point!”
Tips & Tricks:
• Ensure your mat is clean and sticky for precise cuts.
• Always do a test cut when using new materials.
• Use transfer tape for larger, intricate designs.
xTool Experiments — Wood, Metal & Tumblers
Artist George dropped by the studio to experiment with the studio’s xTool D1 in today’s after hours. He used the machine to etch a beautiful Victorian monogram onto brushed stainless steel tumblers. The result – exquisite!
He finished his work by filling the etches with black acrylic paint, sanding the excess off after drying, for a stylish monochrome look. “It’s all in the detail,” grinned George.
Tips & Tricks:
• Experiment with speed and power settings for different effects.
• Keep the work surface clean for best results.
• A mask can protect the surrounding area from unwanted engraving.
Glass Fusing — From Shards to Shine
Today’s glass fusing class was an exciting explosion of color. Natalie led the group to create brilliant glass holly ornaments, with an array of red, green, and clear cut-glass. They arranged the pieces like a puzzle on a tile before it was all skilfully fired in the kiln.
As the kiln door swung open, the ornaments burst into life, showcasing the blended, festive sheen, a sparkling highlight in today’s Glass Fusing class.
Tips & Tricks:
• Always wear safety glasses when cutting glass.
• Let the kiln reach room temperature before opening.
• Use tweezers for arranging small pieces.
Canvas Painting — Layers of Light
This evening, Natalie’s Canvas Painting class dabbled in the magic of the aurora borealis. Using a blend of icy blues, rich magentas, and vibrant greens, they worked with sponge brushes on canvas to recreate the northern lights.
Everyone’s final pieces were a dance of color against a starry night backdrop. Floating lanterns made with a Cricut-cut template added a whimsical touch.
Tips & Tricks:
• Blend colors while they are wet for a seamless look.
• Paint the canvas with water first for easier blending.
• Add stars with a flick of a stiff brush, coated with white paint.
Pottery Painting — Glaze & Grace
During Family Day, the pottery studio turned into a hub of creativity. Natalie helped our youngest crafters to paint and glaze their bisque Christmas ornaments with a burst of color. The Cricut cut wreath stencil was an instant hit!
It was a joy to see the kids peel away the stencil revealing a crisp, festive design beneath the layers of vibrant glaze. As always, zero talent required, just pure enthusiasm!
Tips & Tricks:
• Allow glazes to dry before applying a new layer.
• Dampen clay slightly for better stencil application.
• Keep a bowl of clean water handy to wash brushes between colors.
Resin & Flow Art — Color That Moves
The studio bounty today was a gallery of glossy resin coasters, each one a miniature abstract masterpiece. With Natalie’s guidance, crafters swirled rich reds, golds, and greens onto square MDF coasters before they were sealed with a layer of clear resin.
The final reveal was equally spectacular, with the colors blending in gorgeous patterns, preserved under the glass-like resin glaze. “It’s like painting with honey,” quipped Mia, a first-time resin artist.
Tips & Tricks:
• Pop air bubbles in the resin with a heat gun.
• Always pour resin in a well-ventilated room.
• Apply a sealant to the back of coasters to prevent resin overflow.
Community Spotlight — Makers We Love
This week, Natalie chose to highlight three members of our online crafters community. First up, we have Sophie D., who crafted her own Christmas cards with hand-cut Cricut designs; then comes Ben L., who used the xTool to carve an intricate family crest on a wooden plaque; and finally, Sydney H.’s gorgeous layered Glowforge ornaments are a stunner!
We’re so inspired by our community’s creativity and tenacity — keep sharing your projects under #HeySageLife!
Tips & Tricks:
• Always credit your inspiration sources.
• Remember, progress photos are as worthy as the final reveal.
• Sharing your challenges is as important as sharing your successes.
Halloween Costume Supercharged with LEDs
Here in the Maker’s Corner, we celebrated the spooky season with a project that lightens the dank gloom of any graveyard wander: LED-encrusted Halloween costumes! Natalie’s team guided our fellow creatives in using XTool laser to cut shapes from high-grade cardstock. After painting, those shapes were outfitted with bright, blinking LEDs. Ghostly apparitions and eerie cats vanished and reappeared in the dark, much to everyone’s delight.
By the end, not only did we have an ensemble of spirited costumes just in time for All Hallows Eve, but new hard-won knowledge about circuitry and conductivity now illuminates our path. As one excited participant noted, “I’ve always been afraid of electronics, but this class made me realize they’re less scary than fun!”
Tips & Tricks:Book a Studio Session
• Test your LEDs before installation – it saves time (and sanity)!
• Color coordination is key: match wire color to LED to minimize confusion.
• Remember, electrical tape is your friend for fiddly fixes.
🎨 Natalie’s Maker Reality Check
Creating is an inherently human, yet sometimes messy process – and that wow factor we all strive for? It might not even exist without the hiccups along the way. An errant smudge of glue, a misspelled word, or the time-consuming chore of setting up LEDs, can feel like stumbling blocks, but in the end, they’re stepping stones to making magic happen.
“Remember, the time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. You’re creating something truly wonderful!” – Natalie