DesignFind

As usual, I began with some sketches, in order to visualize the idea. I decided to go with a simple square shape, so this part is rather simple, I drew a square box with an open top and an open bottom, and draw some bamboo on the 4 side walls. (see Photo 1 & Photo 2)

But how to incorporate the bamboo onto the wall? Engrave bamboo images onto the 4 walls is one option. 

But I was thinking if I were to build this box with real bamboo sticks, how would I do it? 

I probably would prepare lots of bamboo sticks with similar thickness, cut them to the same length, then prepare a top and a bottom piece with holes drilled, for inserting the bamboo sticks, to build the bamboo side wall.  (see Photo 3)

This way, light can shine through bamboo sticks, so I will go ahead and create the laser-cut file and try it out.

I figure that I need to create some variations of bamboo sticks first, and maybe some leaves(see Photo 1).

I found a bamboo photo that fits what I need. So I upload it to Silhouette Studio and use the “Trace” function to convert them to vector images, and then create some leaf pieces, and a few variations of bamboo sticks (see Photo 2 & Photo 3).

I tested cut them and found out there are some issues that needed to be modified:

     * stem of leaves is too thin

     * All the individual bamboo sticks, which make the assembly really hard and almost impossible

So, I made some adjustments, here is the improved version (see Photo 4), as you can see that I first make sure the stem of the leaf is on top of the stick. Then in order to use more bamboo sticks for the wall, and give a more depth look, I arrange the sticks into 4 layers, and all the sticks in each layer are connected, so basically, I created 4 layers (see Photo 5), and this way the assembly will be a lot more manageable. See Photo 6 for the 4 layers side wall.

I also create the bottom and top pieces for the side wall with long slots, the length is based on the width of each layer, so all layer pieces can be inserted to create the side wall. And then I create a top and bottom layer plate, so four walls can be attached together to create the box (see Photo 7).

Cutting them is easy and straightforward. I am using 1.5mm basswood, with M1, 10w, and xTool air assist and Riser Base and Honeycomb.

 I first scored the patterns of bamboo sections and leaves onto the material (Score with the setting of 40/20/1)

Then finish with the cut (setting of 100/4/1).

*To make things easier and utilize the new layer color function, I set my design with the following:

Red is for cutting, 

Orange is Scoring

Purple is for Engraving or Scoring

so they can be easily selected, in order to do the setting or to turn on or off for the different process

You can choose to leave it nature wood color, stain it, or color it. The example here I choose to color the bamboo a light yellow and green (see Photo 1).

Then insert each layer into the slot of the top and bottom plate, and the side wall piece is done (see Photo 2).

Then go ahead and glue each wall piece onto the square bottom and top piece, and the basic lantern is ready (see photo 3). 

**Or I did try a variation of engraving the bamboo-section pieces first, then scored them to give an extra definition before cutting (see Photo 4).