The cross is made from a 12" assembly(laminated strips) that is then further cut into a small block and set in the casting container. Pour your resin around the cross block. I keep the cross positioned by gluing it to a small piece of veneer "sheet" and thereby holding(cross) it in position. A 12" cross block will allow you to make many pens and it it also keeps your fingers safe when you're cutting up the small cross blocks. If I have not explained it properly then I can take a pic and it will be made clear.