WeCreat Vista Christmas Ornament
If you are new to laser cutting, you might need some project ideas and I have the cutest WeCreat Vista Christmas ornament project for you today! Using a pre-made file, you’ll learn the steps to create an ornament backer in the MakeIt! software and prep the file for cutting.
RELATED READING: Is the WeCreat Vista Laser Right for You?
What You'll Find On This Page
JOY Christmas Ornament from a Door Hanger Design
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’ve been immersed in holiday crafting. While I love sharing my own designs, there are sometimes you cannot pass up an amazing design.
I saw and fell in love with this JOY reindeer door sign laser project from Joyful Unicorn Designs. However, I didn’t need another door decor piece, so I am going to walk you through converting something like this into an ornament because some parts are tricky.
If you love this project but can’t get started right now, please save this to a laser projects ideas pin board or share it on social media. Either way will be easy to find when you’re ready to begin.
As an Amazon Associate, I could earn from qualifying purchases. There could be affiliate links within this article.
Materials You’ll Need
For this project, I’m using the WeCreat Vista 10 watt diode laser. It’s a wonderful machine if you’re looking to enter into laser crafting. If you have another laser brand or wattage, you can still make this project.
You’ll also need:
- the Joyful Unicorn Design’s JOY door hanger design
- 3mm basswood ply (or other thin wood)
- paint and brushes
- suede cord (this is my favorite addition to my laser cut ornaments)!
- small cut of ribbon (optional bead add-on)
- glue – I used a mix of super glue and wood glue
WeCreat Vista Ornament Video Tutorial
If you’re a visual learner like I am, watch the WeCreat Vista door sign to ornament tutorial. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to the channel.
RELATED READING: Acrylic Overlay Ornaments with ANY Diode Laser
How to Make This Adorable Reindeer Ornament
Below are the step by step instructions. Keep this page open and follow along, using the video above for reference. For a printed version of this tutorial, scroll down.
Prepare File
Open the JOY design file in the WeCreat MakeIt! software. Ensuring everything is selected, size down the project until the wood round is about 4 inches in diameter.
Name the existing canvas to “Original” and create a “Working” canvas. This will preserve the original design. Copy and paste the original design into the Working canvas and work only from here going forward.
Create ornament shapes (add a cutout to the top of the circle or remove a circle hanger from the existing circle backing. See the video for detailed instructions.
Remove small items like the eyes, ear inserts, and snowflake. Create shapes to place over any cutouts (nose, head, etc.) and use the Merge shapes function to remove the cutout portions.
Settings and Layout
Choose Basswood, 3mm from the Wood section in the MakeIt! software to enter the settings. NOTE: because mine was masked, I used 100 power, 4 speed, and 2 passes.
Load the material into the machine on the raised, slatted laser bed, ensuring the red dot is on the material.
Select “Auto-Measure” and the screen will refresh. Position all pieces onto your material using the camera.
Select start, frame if you would like, send the file to the laser, and allow the laser to cut.
Ornament Assembly
Wipe own all edges of the cutout pieces. Remove masking, paint or stain all layers as desired, and let dry.
Position the head piece with a clamp to assist in placing all other pieces. Attach with a super glue and wood glue combination. Clamp to hold while it dries.
Optional: seal the ornament with the spray sealant.
Cut a piece of suede cord, fold in half, and pass the looped end through the front of the ornament. Add a piece of ribbon in front of the hole, pass the ends of the cord through the loop and pull tightly to secure the ribbon. Optional: add a bead onto the cord before tying off the end for hanging.
More Laser Project Ideas You Might Like
- Laser Cut Sun Catcher Tutorial – Learn how to take any design and turn it into a beautiful sun catcher.
- How to Laser Engrave Slate Coasters – Use any design along with these tips to produce rock coasters that will wow.
- DIY Tokens with Free SVG – The latest trend (and good seller) is available for you to learn for free.
Please Save or Share this WeCreat Vista Project Idea
Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this to a DIY laser projects pin board or share it with a crafty group on Facebook.
WeCreat Vista JOY Ornament
Use the WeCreat Vista laser to make a beautiful ornament from any file. Learn the software tips and tricks and create a holiday ornament for friends, family, or to make and sell in your business.
Materials
- JOY door hanger design file
- basswood plywood 3mm (masking optional)
- paint
- suede cord
- ribbon and 1/2 inch wood bead
- Glue (I used wood glue and super glue)
- Spray sealant
Tools
- WeCreat Vista Laser
- Cloth (for wiping edges
- Paint Brush
- Scissors
- Clamps
Instructions
Prepare File
- Open the JOY design file in the WeCreat MakeIt! software. Ensuring everythingn is selected, size down the project until the wood round is about 4 inches in diameter.
- Name the existing canvas to "Original" and create a "Working" canvas. This will preserve the original design. Copy and paste the original design into the Working canvas and work only from here going forward.
- Remove small items like the eyes, ear inserts, and snowflake. Create shapes to place over any cutouts (nose, head, etc.) and use the Merge shapes function to remove the cutout portions.
- Create ornament shapes (add a cutout to the top of the circle or remove a circle hanger from the existing circle backing. See the video for detailed instructions.
Settings and Layout
- Choose Basswood, 3mm from the Wood section in the MakeIt! software to enter the settings. NOTE: because mine was masked, I used two passes.
- Load the material into the machine on the raised, slatted laser bed, ensuring the red dot is on the material.
- Select "Auto-Measure" and the screen will refresh.
- Position all pieces onto your material using the camera.
- Select start, frame if you would like, send the file to the laser, and allow the laser to cut.
Ornament Assembly
- Wipe own all edges of the cutout pieces. Remove masking
- Paint or stain all layers as desired and let dry.
- Position the head piece with a clamp to assist in placing all other pieces. Attach with a super glue and wood glue combination. Clamp to hold. Let dry.
- Optional: seal the ornament with the spray sealant.
- Cut a piece of suede cord, fold in half, and pass the looped end through the front of the ornament.
- Add a piece of ribbon in front of the hole, pass the ends of the cord through the loop and pull tightly to secure the ribbon.
- Optional: add a bead onto the cord before tying off the end for hanging.
Notes
NOTE: depending on your piece, use sand paper to remove any flashback from the back of the ornament before sealing.
SETTINGS: For my masked basswood and 10 watt Vista, I used power 100, speed 4, passes 2.
Meet the Creator
Hi there, I’m Sarah Nenni-Daher. I’m a crafty gal and always have at least 14 projects going at once. I am a crafter, designer, DIYer, and pattern maker. I share my creations here and in the Ruffles and Rain Boots® Shop.
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots®, you’ll find DIY gnomes, crafts, gifts, cupcakes, laser crafts, and so much more. I love sharing video tutorials over on YouTube and chatting with other crafters in my Facebook groups. We’d love to have you!