It was so exciting to get free (free!) reign of the laser cutter during the EIPW in January. Using it to cut and engrave several hand-drawn honeycomb patterns, I was thrilled to realise that the bed of the laser cutter, too, is honeycomb patterned. How perfect; the connection was too good to be true. A mechanical, man-made structure, and the most efficient pattern is found in nature - the least possible perimeter so that bees use less energy+wax. Common sense creatures.

We also worked out, with a lot of trial and error, which settings could burn into lino - a mechanical linocut! - and I made several little laser engraved and cut-out bee stamps. 

Next time I’ll use the other 3D cutter as it has a ‘stamp’ setting, which gives slanted edges to the engraved parts. (Next time I’ll also have to pay for it, unfortunately!)