Their sign, in wood, layered like it means something.

The zodiac symbol sits at the center — laser-cut from Baltic birch, clean and precise. Around it, layers of wood build outward: a middle ring, a decorative outer frame, and a series of hanging elements suspended below on thin cord. The layers don’t sit flat against each other. Each one is separated slightly, so the piece has depth — shadow plays between the layers as the light changes.

This is assembled by hand from parts I cut to order. It’s not a wall decal or a print. It’s wood, and it behaves like wood — warm, varied, slightly imperfect in the way that handmade things are.

I confirm your sign and start within 24 hours of your order. Ships in 5–7 business days.

What I need from you: the zodiac sign, and optionally a name if you’d like it incorporated. That’s it.

The materials

The main pieces are Baltic birch — ¼-inch stock for the layered rings, cut cleanly by laser. Baltic birch holds fine detail without burning at the edges, which matters for the zodiac symbols. The grain is pale and even, which lets the depth of the layering read clearly without the wood competing for attention.

Some pieces are cut from a darker walnut veneer for contrast — the symbol itself or the innermost ring, depending on the sign. Not every sign uses the walnut layer; the design is adjusted per sign for the best visual balance between the symbol and the surrounding elements.

The cord that holds the hanging lower elements is natural cotton — undyed, consistent with the overall material palette.

The signs

I make all 12 signs. Each has its own symbol file — the glyph for the sign, refined so it reads well at the size it’s cut. I don’t use generic clip art; I’ve designed each symbol myself and adjusted the weight of the strokes so they survive the laser at ¼-inch scale without getting too thin.

The symbol reads from a distance. The sign name is not part of the design — the piece is meant to be recognized by someone who knows the symbol, not labeled like a poster.

The optional name

If you add a name, I engrave it in a clean, minimal typeface on the innermost ring — below the zodiac symbol, inside the layered frame. It doesn’t overwhelm the symbol; it sits quietly under it. This is the right choice for a gift where you want it to feel explicitly personal. For a piece you’re buying for yourself or as general decor, leaving the name blank keeps it more abstract.

Names up to 18 characters fit well. If the name is longer, message me and I’ll mock up the layout before you order.

How it’s made

Day 1 — Cutting. All the flat pieces — the symbol, the rings, the outer frame, the hanging elements — are laser-cut in one session. I check each piece for clean edges before assembly.

Day 1–2 — Sanding and finish. The birch face pieces get a light sand and a wipe of matte oil. The walnut veneer pieces are left raw — they don’t need finishing and the raw surface looks better than a finished one at that thickness.

Day 2–4 — Assembly. This is the time-intensive part. The layers are assembled with small spacers between them so they don’t sit flat. The spacers are invisible from the front — they’re tucked behind the rings. The hanging elements are knotted onto the cord and tested for even hang before I set the knots.

Day 4–5 — Finishing and hang hardware. I add a sawtooth hanger to the back of the main ring. The piece hangs from the topmost ring; the hanging elements below move slightly in air currents, which is part of the look.

Day 5–7 — Package and ship. Flat-packed to protect the hanging elements in transit. USPS Priority Mail with tracking.

Scale and placement

The main ring is approximately 12 inches in diameter. The hanging elements below add another 8 to 10 inches of length depending on the sign’s design. Total vertical footprint: about 20 to 22 inches from the hang point to the bottom of the lowest hanging element.

Works well: above a bed or dresser, on an accent wall, in a reading corner. The layered depth shows best with some natural light hitting it from an angle — the shadows between layers shift through the day.

Care

This is an indoor piece — the materials and cord aren’t weatherproof. Don’t hang in direct strong sunlight over time; the birch will lighten and the cord may degrade. Dust with a dry soft brush. Don’t spray anything on it.

The hanging elements are tied, not glued. If one comes loose over time, I’ll send you the cord type so you can retie it yourself — or message me and I’ll walk you through it.

Questions

Message me if you want a specific size other than standard, a custom arrangement of hanging elements, or a combination of two signs (for a couple, for example). Those are possible with a custom quote.