John + Annie

Photo credit for previous page's thumbnail: David Pascolla Photography.

When my older brother got married, I chipped in how I best know how: makin' things in the shop! I used a vinyl cutter (beer labels), laser cutter (favors and wax stamp), chemical etching (wax stamp), and a lot of Illustrator (for menu, program, and reception goodies). Images below are a sample.

John and Annie

June 22, 2014

Engagement Beer labels

My middle brother made a beer for their engagement party, and I made some labels on the vinyl cutter. If I were to make them again, I'd make the sticker one continuous piece. We had a few of these stolen, which I decided is a compliment.

Wax Stamp: Failures pt 1

I was commissioned to make a stamp for sealing wax for their envelopes. I didn't have access to the tools to machine it out of metal, so I tried several other ways. Failures include: using a laser cutter to etch out of rubber, acrylic, wood, and 3D printing. I did have a fun time making things though.

Wax Stamp: Failures pt 2

After my first tests, I found that I needed the stamp to be metal, or at least quickly absorb the wax's heat. It also couldn't be porous or the wax would stick to the stamp. Looking at other stamps, I was surprised how shallow they were. So I tried chemical etching. I had etched copper before for circuit boards, and I made a mask by etching paint off with a laser cutter, and by using vinyl. Neither worked: as the etch got deeper, the etchant worked underneath the mask, making the design too blurry. Instead of trying my hand at metal casting, I sent the design to a place that makes adhesive wax stamp; sometimes outsourcing is the solution.

Redemption: Wooden Gift Tags

These are some possible designs for wooden tags for the wedding favors. The design will be etched onto both sides, then cut out. More to be added when they are cut and finished.

Wooden Gift Tags

The final tag were tied around small jars of honey, and we can blame pinterest for such things. I also designed the menus on the tables (though not the floral addition).

Whiskey Library Cards

My favorite contribution was the last one. My brother wanted a Whiskey Tasting Bar so I designed, printed, and meticulously cut cards that looked like library cards. When a guest tried a type of whiskey, their card was stamped with the date of an important event in John and Annie's relationship. They felt special having their own card; bartenders kept track of who had how much to drink. I watched with glee as guests found their cards and commented on them, not knowing I had made them.