Crafting with LUCY’s Ancient Magic

For centuries, artists have sought tools to help them translate the world around them onto paper or canvas. One of the most fascinating of these tools is the camera lucida, a 19th-century invention that allowed artists to trace what they saw by reflecting an image directly onto their drawing surface. The LUCY Drawing Tool is a modern re-creation of this classic device—refined, durable, and easy to use.

Traditionally, the LUCY has been embraced by fine artists for drawing, painting, and teaching. But its usefulness doesn’t stop at the easel. If you can draw with it, you can add images to just about any craft project. That makes it a surprisingly versatile tool for makers of all kinds.

Drawing With the LUCY

At its core, the LUCY helps you do what artists have always done: capture what you see with accuracy and confidence. It reflects your subject—whether a live still life, a photograph, or even a printed image—onto your paper so you can trace the outlines and major details. From there, you can finish with pencil shading, ink, watercolor, or any other medium.

For beginners, it’s a revelation: realistic results right away, and a steady path toward learning to “draw what you see.” For experienced artists, it’s a time-saver that streamlines the sketching process.

But the same principles apply outside of the studio. Because the LUCY makes it easy to transfer any image to any flat surface, it naturally bridges into the world of crafting.

Everyday Craft Applications

The most obvious crossover is simple projects like:

• Handmade cards – Reflect a design or lettering directly onto cardstock, then finish with markers, ink, or watercolor.

• Woodburning or etching – Trace an image onto wood before burning or carving it in.

• Scrapbooking and journaling – Transfer photos, motifs, or decorative designs without guesswork.

These are straightforward uses, and they make the LUCY a natural fit for hobbyists who want more control over their designs.

Cake Decorating: An Unexpected Ally

One use you might not think of right away is cake decorating. Imagine wanting to add a detailed image—a bird, a cottage scene, or a seasonal design—onto a sheet cake covered in fondant. Freehand sketching on a cake is nerve-wracking, and stencils can be limiting.

With the LUCY, you can:

1. Place your cake under the reflection window.

2. Project your chosen image onto the fondant using the Photo Enlarger accessory.

3. Trace the outlines lightly with edible ink pens.

4. Fill in with food-safe paints or icing.

The result is an elaborate, professional-looking decoration that feels almost effortless. Instead of settling for simple silhouettes or repeating florals, you can create showpiece cakes with personality and precision.

Here’s why it’s such a great option for decorators:

• Direct to Cake – No messy transfers. You draw directly onto fondant or icing with edible markers.
  
  

• Instant Resizing – Raise or lower the LUCY’s head to enlarge or shrink the design to fit your cake perfectly.
  
  

• Any Image, Any Time – Photos, sketches, or custom designs all become stitchable—or in this case, edible—patterns.
  
  

• Safer than Alternatives – Some decorators use tracing paper with graphite, but graphite isn’t edible and shouldn’t go on food. Others try electric projectors, but the heat from the bulb can actually melt the frosting. The LUCY avoids all of that—no heat, no unsafe materials—just clean, safe, accurate image transfer.

Embroidery Patterns Made Easy

Another craft area where the LUCY shines is embroidery pattern making. If you’ve ever tried to enlarge or adapt a design for stitching, you know it usually involves photocopiers, tracing paper, or trial-and-error.

With the LUCY, you simply reflect the image at the scale you want directly onto your fabric. Use a water-soluble or heat-erasable pen to trace the outlines, then stitch over your guides.

Why it’s better than other options:

• Instant resizing – no photocopier needed.

• Precise placement – center motifs exactly where you want them on fabric.

• Freedom of source material – use photos, illustrations, or your own sketches.

This is particularly helpful for centerpiece embroidery blocks in quilts or for creating decorative stitched panels with unique motifs.

The Big Picture

The LUCY Drawing Tool may have its roots in the Old Masters’ studios, but it’s just as at home on your craft table today. Whether you’re sketching, decorating a cake, or designing a quilt block, it opens creative doors by making image transfer simple, accurate, and fun.

And these are just a few examples. We know makers are endlessly inventive—so we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Have you used the LUCY for a craft project outside of traditional fine art? Share your ideas in the comments below!