Making 2011 calendar sets for my Tinted Mint shop. Here's an experiment with a combination of laser cutting and engraving/etching on 0.6mm thick card board. 

I find it is best to put together sample artwork that will test different size fonts, line weights, etc. and experiment with laser settings for the material I'll be using. Seeing these results really help in how I should refine artwork for the final run.

This is my second series of tape dispensers, designed especially to display cute Japanese masking tapes that I sell in my Tinted Mint shop.

Took a 2 hour Laser Cutting and Etching SBU class at Techshop yesterday morning. The class was very interactive and hands-on, covering fire and safety precautions and how to set up and use their laser cutting machine, specifically their Epilog 60 watt, 1 of 3 machines.

I am making a custom case/sleeve out of organic cotton canvas to put a portfolio sample in as self-promotion. Here are several tests on 2 pieces of canvas. The class gives you the basic knowledge, but ultimately each machine and material requires some testing of the correct parameters for the laser, affecting quality and how much material is burned off. I use back and front of the canvas and sometimes have different settings for top and bottom halves. This is not what the final artwork is supposed to look like. But I test different size fonts and line weights and can adjust my artwork from these results. Note the darker brown is due to more heat from the laser and on some areas it was enough heat to burn/cut all the way through the canvas.

I came across Cath Kidston about 3 years ago on a business trip in Tokyo. They had a store in the Daikanyama neighborhood. My first reaction was, "Oh my goodness. This is way too cutesy and floral!" And what do you know? Now I am so into all the rose patterns and polka dots. I think it has to do with the Japanese masking tapes I've been selling on my Tinted Mint store.

All this cuteness inspired me to do a concept collection between Nike and Cath Kidston. With many people buying the brand's printed fabrics to make their own things, towels and pillow cases, I think it is only fitting to incorporate some DIY in the collection. Hence a focus on using individual accessory components to make other accessories or to personalize clothing.