This year we added the Carvey to our maker ‘toolbox.’ Our makerspace is directly connected to our library with only a brick archway to separate us. For this reason, I was hoping the Carvey would be as quiet as advertised. (They advertise it as being as quiet as a desktop printer, but depending on the material and the amount of ‘cutting’ the noise level can vary. I have had to pause it a few times when there was a class being read to or a quiet activity was underway.)
There is always a learning curve with a new tool and this is true of the Carvey as well. However, that curve was pretty slight and within a few hours, we were creating all sorts of creations. The designs, at least for beginners, are done with the web-based native software app called Easel. It was very easy for this newbie to navigate and create my first few projects. For this particular project, I wanted to create a ‘staff’ t-shirt for our student directors and producers for our school television studio: WGST (the World’s Greatest Student Television). After designing the ‘stamp’ I had to flip it so that I would be carving out the ‘reverse’ for stamping purposes.
You can download the step-by-step PDF HERE.
Here is how the stamp ‘blank’ turned out.
I glued the 1/8″ board to a larger piece of wood just to make the stamping easier. To help me align the design, I added a couple of wooden spools to the back of the wood blank too.
Next, I just needed somebody to help me make some shirts! Thankfully my wonderful daughter was home from college and was willing to help me create the shirts for the students and adults who help with the broadcasts.
The process was pretty straight forward. We placed a cardboard square inside each shirt to keep the paint from seeping through and also to give a little ‘resistance’ when the stamp was pressed down. We used regular latex high-gloss interior paint. It was applied using a foam brush and then carefully pressed on the shirts. The ‘weathered’ look was perfect! Each one is slightly different.
I think they like them!
I look forward to finding ways to integrate the Carvey into our future projects.