Crafting Insights & News – Our Blog

Dive into our stories of creativity, helpful DIY resources, craft show experiences, and everything inspiring from our Minnesota workshop.

Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Embark on a Journey of Success: Nature-Inspired Graduation Gifts They'll Treasure

Celebrate the accomplishments and new beginnings of the recent graduate in your life with our collection of nature-inspired, laser-cut, and engraved wood and paper art pieces. These exquisite, handcrafted creations symbolize strength, growth, and the excitement of the journey ahead, making them perfect graduation gifts. Browse our 16 featured products, ranging from majestic mountain scenes to serene woodland bridges, and find a unique piece that reflects the graduate's passion and achievements. You can give a gift that truly inspires and uplifts as they step into the next phase of their life.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Essential Tools and Accessories for Your Laser Cutter Workshop

Unlock the full potential of your laser cutter with our comprehensive guide to essential tools and accessories for your workshop. From safety equipment and proper ventilation to material storage and software, we'll help you create a safe, efficient, and highly functional workspace that supports the entire laser cutting process. Discover how the right investments in tools, accessories, and organization can enhance your capabilities, streamline your workflow, and elevate the quality of your projects. Embark on your laser cutting journey with confidence, and transform your workshop into a creative powerhouse!

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

11 Beautiful Nature-Themed Gifts to Celebrate Mom This Mother's Day

Looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Discover our handcrafted nature-inspired art pieces, made with love and care in our family workshop. From layered wood art featuring mama bears and cubs to enchanting layered paper shadow boxes with blooming flowers and graceful birds, these unique gifts will make your mom feel cherished and celebrated. Explore our top 11 picks in our latest blog post and find the ideal piece to express your love for the amazing woman in your life.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Shop Small, Support Big: The Advantages of Choosing Small Businesses Over Big-Box Stores

Discover the many benefits of choosing small businesses over big-box stores in our latest blog post. From unique, high-quality products and personalized customer service to supporting local economies and fostering eco-friendly practices, shopping small offers a range of advantages that enrich your shopping experience. Join us as we delve into the world of small businesses and explore how your conscious choice to shop small can make a big impact on communities, the environment, and the marketplace. It's time to invest in quality, community, and sustainability – one small business at a time.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Expanding the Horizons of Laser Cutting and Engraving: A Comprehensive Guide to Material Selection

Broaden your understanding of laser cutting and engraving materials as we delve deeper into the world of glass, anodized aluminum, rubber, textiles, and stone. Expand your creative possibilities by learning about the characteristics, advantages, and considerations of these materials, and harness the power of laser technology to bring your ideas to life with stunning precision and detail.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

A Deep Dive into Laser Cutting and Engraving Materials: Plywood, Cardstock, Acrylic, Leather and Leatherette

Discover the versatility and potential of laser cutting and engraving technology as we explore five popular materials: plywood (with multiple wood species), cardstock, acrylic, leather, and leatherette. Learn about their unique properties, advantages, and considerations to make informed decisions when selecting the best option for your laser cutting and engraving projects.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Introducing 3 New Laser-Ready Design Files: Coneflower Art Masterpieces

Discover the beauty of nature with our three new laser-ready design files, perfect for creating intricate plywood inlay art pieces. Featuring a coneflower and hummingbird, a coneflower and butterfly, and three coneflowers together, these 16"x16" art pieces boast a chevron background and a large sun for added visual appeal. Unleash your creativity and craft stunning wooden masterpieces that celebrate the delicate grace of the natural world.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

The Intersection of Art and Technology: How Laser Cutting and Engraving Are Revolutionizing Wood and Paper Art

Laser cutting and engraving technology has transformed wood and paper art, offering a new level of precision, detail, and efficiency. Artists are now able to create complex, layered 3D art, personalized engravings, intricate paper cuttings, and innovative wood inlays. As technology continues to advance, the future of wood and paper art promises to be an exciting journey, full of innovation and creativity that will captivate and inspire us for years to come.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Digital Design Marketplace

The Hands That Shape, LLC is pleased to announce our expansion into the digital design file marketplace. Our initial offering is full of showstopper level wood wall art showpieces (Bear and Lupines, Playful Goats, and Tulip Field and Windmill), with many more exciting designs in the works.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Creating a Wood Laser Cut Photo Album

This blog post walks you through making a laser cut wood photo album using ⅛” wood, binding screws, 11”x 10.6” self sealing photo album pages and a free photo album project SVG. The completed project measures just under 12”x12” when finished.

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Jamie Bowser Jamie Bowser

Creating a Name Puzzle: B Is for Barrett

Lately I’ve been spending excessive amounts of time on Pinterest trying to brainstorm creative ideas to help my toddler learn. Last week I decided to make my son a name puzzle so he could start recognizing his name and begin to learn letters.

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