Laser Cut Bag | Making a Wooden Laser Cut Living Hinge Hand Bag (a Glowforge Project)

Today I'm making a Laser Cut Bag... actually two laser cut bags. They're almost entirely laser cut wood (with the help of some living hinges, all done with shapes and sizes that can be completed as a Glowforge project). The bag has some laser cut leather thrown in as well.
I wanted to put together a bag design that, although done myself, didn't look "DIY" -esque, but instead more like a designer handbag, how do you think I did?
Laser Cut wood makes a good looking handbag I'd say. Who knew?
-Brooke
Tools Used:
Glowforge Laser Cutter
Sewing Machine (This isn't the one I used but it is the same brand): amzn.to/3lMeZvA
Tailor Scissors: amzn.to/3158E6D
Materials Used:
Glowforge Proofgrade Medium Maple and Cherry Plywood
Chains: amzn.to/2IsLDUV
Leather Scraps: amzn.to/3dnyLe9
Thread: amzn.to/2GWxVsP
Music Used:
(all from KZbin Free Audio Library)
"Apolllo" Patrick Patrikios
"RythmOrganyzer" Noir Et Blanc Vie
"BeeyornandRaysd" Noir Et Blanc Vie
"Trimmed & Taught" Dan Lebowitz
"Wrong"
"Sunset Strut" Dan Lebowitz
"Fridaze"
"African Drums"

[@coulterjb22]

Those living hinges look easy. At least you made it looks ez. Nicely done!

[@davebauerart]

Love the problem solving along the way. Magnetic bow is a great idea. I learned something new, I haven't seen the accordion template trick before!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

So glad to hear you learned something new! I’m not sure where I came across that accordion trick the first time... I think it was on a fashion design video somewhere on KZbin waaaaayyy back in the day. It’s come in handy constantly for me when I’ve made templates and patterns.

[@Tacotuesday09]

Whoo we have the same sewing machine. Mine has been packed up for a year and now I’m scared it will be stuck in reverse 😂😂😂 I love this walk through

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Well… if yours is also stuck in reverse then at least we’re twinning? And in it together.

[@EC-gy9pv]

Great inspirational video, thank you for sharing. Love your creativity and fixing things, when they don't turn out the way you envisioned them first, on the go! Art!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thank you so much for watching :) gotta show the whole process, failures included 👍🏻

[@johnrichards3596]

Just got a glowforge this week. I really appreciate how you took us step by step, including all of the trials and errors.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

That’s so exciting! You’re going to have a lot of fun with it. I like to show the trials and errors because getting is wrong is just as much a part of the finished product as the one time I get it right. Mess ups are good! And laser cutters make it overall pretty painless to try something as many times as you need to bc they cut so quickly in comparison to any other method.

[@charlenejacksonwright9644]

I would love to be inthe work room with you and learn. You make it look so easy.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Ah thanks :) it just takes practice and patience. And forgiving yourself as you go when you mess things up sometimes haha

[@laserexec2819]

Wow... that’s a beautiful piece of work. ❤️❤️

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thank you so much!

[@shannonmarie6227]

How did I just find your channel?!? KZbin’s been holding out on me. Love all the laser projects!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

C’mon KZbin, Get with the program!!! Well hi 👋 and welcome :)

[@IMEEMADE]

The handbag came out great! Loved the video too, great pace and seamless instructions. A++

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks you so so so much. I was really worried about the editing on this one because for whatever reason final cut was skipping and glitching constantly through the edit (I use an external hardrive, proxy files, etc. still stumped as to why), so I wasn’t editing smooth visuals or audio. I finally just said screw it and uploaded it. Know that that particular compliment on this video means the world!

[@EthanCarterDesigns]

Really cool project and design! So many cool little touches!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

It started out simple, and then as I got rolling I kept thinking of a little detail here, and a little detail there. I’m really pleased with where it landed

[@alonsorobots]

Lots of potential for this channel! keep it going!

[@joshwilliamson8690]

Omg It’s the leg hike for me.. i built a table with clamps specifically so I wouldn’t have to use my foot anymore… and hated it and went bs k to the foot lol I feel like any video you do is just not complete without it hahaha

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Feet are better than clamps and I’ll die on this hill

[@makerscatchall9257]

They came out great brooke!!! Awesome job!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks Brett!

[@Loveniaxo]

These are awesome! Great job! I cant wait to get my glowforge

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks, and You’re going to love it!

[@micharogalewicz6249]

Don't feel bad - I've been procrastinating on my 'languages academy' for years ** Nice video and a beautiful bag.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thank you so much. I think at this point procrastination is just part of the process for me. I’ve gotta let those creative juices stew a little hah

[@Daredevil19790921]

Perfect job! You are pro😍

[@JohnSmith-rt5yq]

Love the step by step type of style that walks us through the thought process.... very tempted to get a laser soon! Amazing job

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thank you; if you’re considering getting a laser, what I will say is that it wont likely machine you’ll regret having in the long term. We use ours constantly for little incidentals one addition to more laser-specific things like this one was

[@shawnfreeman9020]

Very Impressed!!!

[@jpdenat1]

Go girl : great video and works

[@ThatMomWithALaser]

Just discovered your channel and LOVE it! Bravo with the purse. It's adorable! I've been wanting to make one for a year but of course we want to make ALL the things don't we? LOL!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Welcome! So happy to have you. That’s really funny to hear because I too sat on this idea for a long time... started it... and then continued to drag it out. Not because I wasn’t excited about it, it just happens that way sometimes. You’ll get to it haha

[@ThatMomWithALaser]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC exactly. I call it the “squirrel” effect. I see and start making one one pretty thing only to see another and start that too. 🤣🙈

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

That’s a great way to put it and I’m SO guilty of it myself. I try and just roll with it

[@BrItZeeEee]

Soo pretty! 😍 Inspired to try it now XD I've procrastinated too many projects to count it's getting ridiculous, I keep getting distracted by new projects haha .. Also, you're HILARIOUS, loving your vibe! 😂❤

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Aw thanks so much. I appreciate it.

[@dikatech1848]

love it so much

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks!

[@poitimeusa]

Time to upgrade your sewing machine. Jo-Ann fabric has their own sewing machines now which are pretty decent price. Go with singer You could go with the heavy duty gray one which is really good I believe. If that glow forge wasn't so expensive I would have one and make some purses just like that they are so cool

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

I have a singer all metal one now and I love love love it! well worth the upgrade

[@lockcitywoodworks]

Nice job, Brooke! I have no interest in handbags at all, but your design process and just watching the general construction was super cool.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks Tim. I’m glad you enjoyed this one!

[@sherryleggett1612]

Just amazing! You would be the only person on the block (or in the country) with a wooden handbag. Do you sell the pattern?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Yep. Patterns available on MakersWorkshop.com :)

[@danygcorral]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC I couldnt find this pattern

[@ghadarbaik226]

awesome....

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks!

[@LUV2BHATED_INK]

So cool

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thank you so much!

[@cindyrobinson2618]

Wow! That bag is pretty amazing! I am very new to laser engraving/cutting…I might need to try something like this after I get a bit more familiar with the whole process! Could you share where you found the living hinge file, or is it something you came up with? Guess I could google it as well! 😁. Can’t wait to check out your channel to see what other cool projects you have created!

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

It’s something i came up with. If you’re interested files for this are available at MakersWorkshop.com and included in virtual membership

[@StefanMeier]

Great Video! I have one question. How do you prevent the burned smell of the wood? Or do you have some cleaning tips?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks! The burned smell wears off with time and getting efficient settings for the laser cut minimizes things quite a bit. To clean my go to is a little bit of paint thinner on a rag but for living hinges I don’t bother Bc it’s such a high level of detail.

[@tamiwalker1016]

Very cool purse and I'm not a purse person. Where do you find your wood? Thanks.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks! I didn’t make this particular purse out of it; but now we make all of our own laser-ready wood in house and that’s my favorite to use :) bc it’s salvaged locally makersworkshop.com/shop

[@tamiwalker1016]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC That's what I figured. Unfortunately I don't have a local place in my area where I can get laserable wood. I have to order it. Thank you for replying. ☺️

[@patrickmeehan3728]

Love everything about this project! So clever and unique. I'm wondering if you could use any 1/8" material for this or is plywood just the best material to use?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Every wood has a slightly different texture and is going to therefore behave slightly differently...but I would bet that almost any 1/8” thick wood would be just fine with the design unchanged. I haven’t tried it on acrylic (yet) but I’m guessing 1/8” acrylic will also do alright. With a thicker material I’d probably need to adjust the living hinge a bit to get the right amount of flexibility. It can take a lot of trial and error; the only reason I was able to get it right on the first try on this one was because it was a design I already had messed with previously.

[@Augustosantos70]

Hello friend, how can I purchase the vectors for these two bags, thank you

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

makersworkshop.com/products/living-hinge-handbag-downloadable-files

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

There’s the link :)

[@electricpaisy6045]

I have a almost finished music box with car Hifi and light effects in the basement since about 7 years or longer. I forgot.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

It sounds really cool, one day you’ll get to it!

[@electricpaisy6045]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC I made a few videos about it on KZbin but I was never happy with the quality of the videos when at the same time I had plans for more videos to that project so that slowed me down too. The fear of producing a shitty video that I can't redo because after the video the work is already done 😅

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

This right here is THE hardest part about doing videos for us too

[@electricpaisy6045]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC Thanks. It feels good not to be alone with that

[@angelsuazo1978]

Is the living hinge templates Adobe illustrator

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

This one I did from scratch. We are going to be making it available along with all of our digital files within the next week or two on MakersWorkshop.com stay tuned :)

[@AC-rt6dz]

Beautiful work! New Subscriber here! I have a Glowforge also and would love to make one for my mom who's an architect. She would be floored. Do you have the file for sale?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thank you so much, welcome! ...and I'm glad you asked! We are currently working on putting together a new website and part of that is going to include options for getting access to digital files. If all goes well it should be live within the next month, but if you're subscribed you'll know pretty much the minute it is ready because we are going to do a video in conjunction.

[@AC-rt6dz]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC awesome! I'll be tuning in & looking forward to your new creations & website. I wish your new site much success

[@AC-rt6dz]

@@MakersWorkshopLLC Have you made the file available as of yet?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Thanks so much for checking in on this. The website ran into a couple of last minute snags so, although we had hoped to have it up and running by the new year, there are still a few little things we are working through. It shouldn’t be long though, and we are planning on doing a video when it’s up to announce it for our followers.

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Chiming in to say that the files are all officially available on MakersWorkshop.con

[@cartonus]

Is it functional? Does anyone carry these bags?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

Yep; it’s functional.

[@ChrissRollex]

What's the thickness of your materials ?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

1/8” thick

[@asiahayes2580]

Would you consider making a svg file for the design to sell?

[@MakersWorkshopLLC]

The files are available on MakersWorkshop.com :)

[@darknesssymphony6409]

Pues quedo horrible pero la idea es buena