Where the Wild Things Are Wall Art

Intro: Where the Wild Things Are Wall Art

I love Where the Wild Things Are. It's one of my most favorite books from my childhood. I wanted to make something that I could hang on the wall and thought since I could use a laser cutter now, why not do that?

This wall hanging is made of 1/4 inch thick wood and both cut and etched by a laser. I've included the file so you can make your own!

I used Inkscape to draw this up, and I'm including the files so that you can make your own!

STEP 1: Making the Art!

I used Inkscape to make the drawing. I took a drawing of Carol from the book and used it as a template. I drew my lines around it and altered them until they looked nice. Sometimes it helps to add additional nodes to get things nice and curvy. :D

Note that the right hand changed at the end. I wish I would have left it that way though!

I had lots of confusion about whether I should color map or what, so the design took forever. I ended up using Randy's suggestion and using line thickness instead of color mapping to determine where the laser would cut or etch. It was much easier. This is definitely the most complicated thing I've done so far.

I've included both the first file I planned on using and the final file I used, so have a look!

STEP 2: Lasers!

First I covered the wood I was using with protective paper.

And then I entirely screwed up my first draft and Randy had to save me. Make sure your document size is right!

I made sure all my cut lines were hairline thickness, and all my etch lines were 1.0 pt thickness. The text will etch itself. (At this point I was editing in Corel Draw.)

The settings for the Epilog laser we use at ibles were 90/100 for raster, 15/60/500 for vector.

It took about 25 minutes to complete!

STEP 3: Finishing!

I peeled off the protective paper and viola! Wonderful. :D

Not sure yet if I will paint or stain it. I've got to figure all that out soon. If I decide to do either, I'll update with better photos!

Comments

[billbillt]

Of course there is nothing wrong with using whatever Hi-tech tools you have!..It is done for a "vote"..I would think a person would present a project that could be done by the majority of people if you wanted a "vote"..

[Z0M8I3]

I see where you're coming from now. Makes alot more sense this way. :)

[Z0M8I3]

I know I'll never have access to a laser cutter to be able to replicate this or other wonderful projects on here that require one but there are two things that are still clear to me...

1) Doesn't mean I can't WISH for one..lol.
And 2) Just because I don't have one doesn't mean this isn't a darn good job!

There's nothing wrong with using tools you have available to create things just because someone else doesn't have said tool.

Great Job JRF!

[billbillt]

Seeing how most of us cannot afford a laser cutter, useless to me...

[jessyratfink]

It's true! But places like Ponoko can do the laser cutting for you and it's pretty affordable. :) I've even though about uploading some of my projects there for easier access.

[billbillt]

Could be done..I just prefer your older projects that you made with what you had at home..To me it required more skill and thinking..

[jessyratfink]

Don't worry, they'll be coming back! These were only done for the Make it Real contest. :D Lots of sewing ones coming up soon, I think.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That is awesome! It turned out really great!