Christmas Ornament - Name Snowflake

Start with a name or word in your favorite font.

Using the outline tool, draw an outline around the word that will be the cut line.

Using the "Circular array" tool, set the number of copies to 6 (snowflakes have six main points) and adjust the "x" position till just the tip of the first letter is touching the neighbor word.

Select the cut border of the new array and use "Combine" and "Unite" to join the outside cut shape of the snowflake.

Select all and rotate the snowflake 30 degrees to add the 2nd text element.

I like to add the 2nd text element a little smaller, in this example I used the year and made it about 50% of what the primary word size was.

Repeat the outline step (Step 2) for the 2nd word.

Using the "Circular array" tool, changing the copies to 6, and adjusting the "x" position, create the 2nd word array.

You may need to manually adjust the position of the 2nd word, you want the outline cut line to have some overlap with the other main 6 points of the snowflake.

When all 6 words are aligned, select the outside cut line and "Combine" and "Unite", making sure to also include the first cut outline.

The last step is to add a circle to put a hook or string through.

Draw a circle and a second smaller circle and center the smaller circle inside.

Select both and use "Combine" and "Unite at overlap" to make the ring.

Move the ring to the top of the ornament and select the outside cut line and the ring and use "Combine" and "Unite"

I've included all the steps here in a video for you to follow.

Engraving and Scoring your ornament

I like the way the score line looks on the inside words but you can also choose to engrave for a darker look.

I prefer to cut in 2 passes to reduce the burn or char.

I am also using xTool Air Assist and Honeycomb.