Build/Make/Craft/Bake

That was amazing. I agree, ALL off the scales on t...

2010-03-08T22:14:17.021-08:00

That was amazing. I agree, ALL off the scales on the koi!

Wendy this is Steve again with the blasting projec...

2010-03-02T19:02:05.371-08:00

Wendy this is Steve again with the blasting project for fairly large (16x24") stone tiles. I have tried a couple of local companies but they treat me like I'm nuts because my art looks a little whacked to them. I just keep getting back burnered. Anyway, with at least 40 designs to blast, I'm thinking about setting up on my own. PLEASE help recommend a system that will cut designs this large practically into soft stone like sandstone and be big enough for the tiles. I have the plotter already and software. Thanks again!!!

This is drop-dead beautiful. I'm sitting here angr...

2010-02-20T18:07:55.940-08:00

This is drop-dead beautiful. I'm sitting here angry because the trees aren't in leaf yet.

Hi Randy. The plotter pictured here is from Grapht...

2010-02-13T09:54:47.509-08:00

Hi Randy. The plotter pictured here is from Graphtec America. I think it's their F7000-75, which has since been discontinued (they have the F8000 series now). Research to buy this one was done several years ago, so prices/quality may have changed. We don't have experience with other plotters, unless you count the ultimate discount plotter -- cutting by hand. Good luck to you!

Sorry, but I have no idea how to make them.

2010-02-11T23:08:08.745-08:00

Sorry, but I have no idea how to make them.

Hi Wendy and Marvin. Thank both of you for posting...

2010-02-11T22:53:16.711-08:00

Hi Wendy and Marvin. Thank both of you for posting this information. I plan on buying a compressor, and blast cabinet for other purposes. My wife and her friends are always asking me to build signs and such, and I thought this would be a great idea for them. But i was wondering what plotter you were using, and if you had any experince with bargain priced ones. Not wanting to invest to much into one, so any information you could provide would be great. Thanks in advance, Randy

Frank, this is from Marvin, Wendy's dad. I'm the o...

2010-02-11T21:59:11.516-08:00

Frank, this is from Marvin, Wendy's dad. I'm the one who does the engraving. If your compressor put out 95 psi that should work fine. For softer rocks I sometimes go as low as 50 or 60 psi. The higher the pressure the more chance for it blowing off the stencil. I have never cut 4500 concrete, but the rocks in it might be harder than the concrete mixture. Careful you don't cut too much concrete and leave the rocks. Nozzle size is determined by how much air the compressor will put out. The one you describe will take a 1/4 inch or bigger. You will get better detail using a smaller one, but it will take longer to engrave. If you are using a presure pot it will work much faster than a siphon blaster. Hope this is helpful.

Hey Wendy, it's me again -Frank Duh! probably nee...

2010-02-09T23:55:03.502-08:00

Hey Wendy, it's me again -Frank
Duh! probably need to tell you what depth and width i want to blast right? Ok than- My 1st projects will be no more than 1/2 inch in width and in depth and be as small as 1/4 inch in depth and width. I am attempting to inlay stone and will be using both the negative and positive parts of the vinyl. I will use the "cut out" portions to cut the inlay peaces. I have worked with stone for 30 years but this is my 1st time with a sandblaster! Thanks again~Frank Locatell

Hi Wendy I have the sand blaster pot ,the compress...

2010-02-09T23:03:17.035-08:00

Hi Wendy
I have the sand blaster pot ,the compressor that puts out a high volume of air (used for a jack hammer) at 95 lbs of air pressure. What i need to understand is how much pressure and what nozzle to use.I am cutting into granite and 4500 psi concrete. Can you help me? My other question was about the media to use but i think you answered it in another post. Thanks ~Frank

I am trying for days to find a way to make a stair...

2010-02-08T22:01:56.804-08:00

I am trying for days to find a way to make a stairs piano at the school I am working but I don't have a clue... I am just a musician... Anybody help?

i read Tom Overton's print processing article. I t...

2010-02-08T10:17:47.945-08:00

i read Tom Overton's print processing article. I tried using the recipe he put up there. It worked. everything depends on the amount of coffee you put in.

My print came out brown,sepia and warm tone.pretty much all these together. it kinda drowns out the highlight though

fASINATING CUTS. i CUT ONLY IN BLACK AND WHITE AND...

2010-02-05T06:36:23.188-08:00

fASINATING CUTS. i CUT ONLY IN BLACK AND WHITE
AND HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR THIS ARTIST.

i just randomly stumbled upon this site. I've been...

2010-02-03T18:10:09.200-08:00

i just randomly stumbled upon this site. I've been looking for a way to incorporate my zoology degree and strong art interests. I'm determined to find a way. This post is great.

Steve--Renting a sandblaster sounds like a great i...

2010-01-24T10:26:19.472-08:00

Steve--Renting a sandblaster sounds like a great idea, but I have no idea where they're available. You may have to take the stones to the sandblaster, rather than the other way around. Good luck!

Hi Wendy, I am having my designs cut for me by so...

2010-01-24T05:15:20.610-08:00

Hi Wendy,

I am having my designs cut for me by someone with a plotter. Can I use some kind of rented sandblasting equipment so I can do this in my backyard for a couple of projects? I'm carving my designs into flat flagstone. Thanks for this great page!

Let me guess.. when it is ready to be planted you ...

2010-01-23T22:23:26.283-08:00

Let me guess.. when it is ready to be planted you can add the shell and all since it's bio-degradable and "green."

Anonymous--the stencil used in this post is Anchor...

2010-01-19T22:32:27.321-08:00

Anonymous--the stencil used in this post is Anchor brand, item 116, roll. It works well.

Iloved your project! So beatiful, and delicate!

2010-01-16T12:52:50.751-08:00

Iloved your project! So beatiful, and delicate!

Hi Wendy We have a Roland plotter and I would lik...

2010-01-08T10:02:58.471-08:00

Hi Wendy

We have a Roland plotter and I would like to know if you can share any more infor on the stencil material you use. Do you buy sheets or rolls and what size or mil? I have looked on line for both 3m and Anchor Continental there are different kinds, what would you recommend? Best product best price? Thanks from Tucson

Happy New Year! I just came across your acrylic je...

2010-01-04T18:43:33.006-08:00

Happy New Year! I just came across your acrylic jewelry stand how-to tonight, it's EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thanks so much for sharing, I'll be linking to that post.

Eeee! You're back! Hooray!

2010-01-02T09:08:37.718-08:00

Eeee! You're back! Hooray!

I'd very much like to be a part of this, but unfor...

2009-12-06T17:53:58.769-08:00

I'd very much like to be a part of this, but unfortunately I'm the only crafter I know. I don't think I'd be able to find 6 other people to recruit.
Emily Katyryniuk
social_d_emily@yahoo.com

It depends. Leaving stuff in will cause the flavor...

2009-11-25T21:44:31.573-08:00

It depends. Leaving stuff in will cause the flavor to change over time as the ingredients keep infusing the vodka. Sometimes this is good, sometimes not. Some ingredients do break down over time. What looks good at the beginning may look terrible in two or six months, or even in a couple days (for example, strawberries turn a very unappealing shade of gray). I'd say keep an eye on it while it infuses, then decide from there based on what sort of shape the ingredients are in and how long you expect it'll sit around looking pretty before someone drinks it. You might get better results with whole fruit, like blueberries. Much of infusing is trial and error--try it out and report back!

Hi Mike -- It's true, plotters (and the software t...

2009-11-25T21:33:22.246-08:00

Hi Mike -- It's true, plotters (and the software to run them) are pretty expensive. But as a hobbyist, you can always do things by hand. Get some of the adhesive mask material and draw your own design on it. You can also design something on the computer and print it out, then either tape that directly to the mask or transfer the image by tracing over it with pencil several times and then rubbing that on the mask surface. Cut along all the lines with an exacto knife and proceed as described above to put the stencil on the rock and blast it. It takes more time than using a plotter and sometimes it can be hard to make straight lines when cutting by hand (like for fine lettering), but it works pretty well. Good luck!

Thanks for posting this Wendy. I would love to do ...

2009-11-23T19:42:30.543-08:00

Thanks for posting this Wendy. I would love to do this. Isn't a plotter rather expensive. Is there another way to go? I would love to do this kind of stuff as a hobby.
Mike