Hey, everyone! I’m Steve from Wilmer Woodworks, and today, I’m going to show you how I designed and made this multi-layered Christmas ornament using a laser cutter and two software programs: Canva and LightBurn. If you’ve ever been intimidated by layered designs, don’t worry—I’m here to guide you through every step, and you’ll be able to complete your own ornament in just one evening.

Step 1: Designing the Ornament in Canva

To start, head over to Canva.com and create a new design. The format I used was the “Flyer” template (8.5″ x 11″), but the size doesn’t really matter since we’re focusing on creating the elements for our ornament. Here’s how I built mine:

  • Santa Silhouette: In Canva, search for “Santa silhouette” in the elements tab. Make sure to filter by graphics, not photos. I used a free design, but Canva Pro users can choose from more options.
  • Palm Tree Silhouette: Next, search for “palm tree silhouette.” You want a design that’s simple and easy to laser cut, avoiding complex details like thin wisps that might be tricky for the laser to handle.
  • Merry Christmas Text: Find a festive font for “Merry Christmas.” I used a script font and changed the text color to black so it would stand out during the engraving process.
  • Beach-Themed Background: Since I wanted a beachy feel for my ornament, I searched for “ocean sunset.” You can select any background that will look good when engraved; the colors won’t matter since it’s all going to be converted into laser cuts and engravings.

Once your elements are ready, download the design as an SVG with a transparent background (available for Canva Pro users).

Step 2: Preparing the Layers in LightBurn

With our design ready, we move over to LightBurn to create the laser-cut files. Here’s the process:

  • Start by creating a 3-inch circle, then apply an offset of 0.4 inches inward.
  • Create another circle with an offset of 0.5 inches and align the circles in the center.
  • Now we’re ready to create the layers of the ornament. I made sand dunes by drawing and merging ellipses, which will serve as the bottom layer.
  • Import the elements from Canva, such as the palm trees and Santa, and place them within the ornament’s frame. Be sure to adjust their sizes and flip the designs as needed.

For the Santa layer, I added an offset to make the lines a bit thicker, which helps during the cutting process. You can also include the “Merry Christmas” text on the top layer, centered and aligned.

Step 3: Cutting and Assembling the Ornament

Once the design is set, send it to your laser cutter. I use the Creality Falcon 2 laser cutter, and here’s a tip: Make sure your air assist system is working properly to ensure cleaner cuts. If the air filter is clogged, you’ll get burns on the wood, as I noticed in a previous cut.

After cutting, the pieces should pop out easily. If you encounter small sections that stick, a pair of tweezers can help remove them without damaging the design.

Step 4: Gluing the Layers Together

For assembly, I used gel super glue—it’s more forgiving than liquid glue, giving you a little extra time to adjust the pieces. Start by gluing the bottom layer, making sure to align everything correctly. Repeat the process with the middle and top layers, pressing down gently to secure each piece.

Step 5: Final Thoughts

That’s it! You’ve successfully created a beautiful, multi-layered ornament featuring Santa flying over a beach scene. If you’d like to try this project yourself, I’m offering the design file for free on my website. Feel free to customize it with different elements or text, like adding the year or a personal message.

I hope this tutorial has made the process of creating layered ornaments easier for you. If you enjoyed this guide, don’t forget to subscribe to Wilmer Woodworks on YouTube for more woodworking and laser cutting tutorials.

Until next time, keep building!

— Steve, Wilmer Woodworks

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WilmerWoodWorks
I have been doing woodworking since I was in high school (a while) and I also enjoy making 3D projects and general projects so the videos I post will be basically what projects I have going on and how I go about getting them done.
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