Ok it feels weird now that I've only submitted a sketch, and now the final, without the progress in between... oops! 

There are *definitely* more steps between sketching and finals! 

After the sketches, I traced and built the files by hand in illustrator - when making files for laser cutting and etching, the cleanest results come from doing it from scratch! Also cleaner vector files often reduce cutting time and cutting problems.

I did a test cut of every key to weed out any problems with the designs or file - there are often things to be finessed, but I'm pretty used to how my machine works now, so I tend to adjust how I make the artwork to compensate for what I know it will do when cutting.

I'd intended to cut the symbols out of pearlescent white acrylic from the beginning, but when I actually did it... the pearl white didn't look that strong colour-wise, so I cut them from solid white instead, looks way better.

ANYWAY

I'm SO happy with how they've turned out!   They are massive, but a good size to hold and call Celestial spirits  

I will be getting them into my Etsy shop soon!

Part One: Sketching the Celestial Spirit Keys