VENTURE, it is!

Life is a gamble, they said. Take a risk, they said. Here I am then.

Laser-cutting, here we go! Indeed this is a gamble. Why? I may like being creative but, I have no experience with laser machine. Zero. Nada. Waley. None at all. Before glowforge, I have no idea what laser-cutting nor laser-engraving was. What got me interested then?Well...

While scrolling Facebook, I have come across this ad - a cutting machine. It sure was cheap and small and a glance gave me tons of ideas to make. I talked to my husband if we could buy it. He said, the cutting area was very small and will probably just make limited items. Then, one day...

My friend asked me a business idea. Since I have been seeing the ad, I told her about it. But also did my research about what are the top laser engraving cutting machines out there that fits her budget($1000), there’s not much. Next day, scrolling Facebook again, look what showed on the ads. Another brand of cutting machine, a laser cutting and engraving one - the Glowforge. Whoo Facebook! You sure snoop inside my phone huh? So, I checked this brand and it sure does have bigger cutting area than the first one. Regards to the reviews, the machine itself has positive feedback. And the stuff current owners made were mind-blowing. I fell in love with it, and talk her into it. As a friend, I think it is not right to get the “toy” for myself that I was helping her get for herself. After all, she has the money and we don’t. So I told her she could do financing, if she really wants to. She asked her husband about it. Unfortunately, he said NO! So she said, I should get it.

I asked my husband so desperately if we could get it. And said, he’d prefer a plasma cutter(way more expensive, so it was impossible to get.) I know he likes the Glowforge too. So I talked about it every day and every night for a week. Until he said yes! Through financing, we got a Glowforge basic. Though the cheapest machine of its brand, we loved it. We waited 6-7 weeks for it to arrived at our doorstep and it was worth the wait. Husband approved! And Stela did the honor of pressing the magic button for the very first time.

It was a really fun machine to have, either as a hobby or something that will generate income. Just like any other, I am hoping one day, I'll get to make awesome stuff and sell it. Right now, we use it more for hobbies which is fine as well. Although many people find some cons before owning it, it is really up to one's individual perspective of it.

HOW ABOUT WE TACKLE PROS AND CONS, from my point of view? I'll start with cons, if that's okay. Well, my article, my way! CON #1 - IT IS HEAVY. For a petite like me, I can't really move it without the help of my man. I had to clean it every now and then, so moving would be a challenge.

CON #2 - IT RELIES SOLELY ON INTERNET. Yes, you read that right, it is a web-based app. What is a web-based app? It is a software or program that only allow its users to access to the server using a web browser. With Glowforge, it means, you have to connect to their cloud servers through a web browser to be able to use the app. Which also means, it is important to have a strong stable internet connection. No internet connection, no "glowforging".

CON #3 - PREMIUM OPTION. It ain't really a problem with me because I have learnt to use editing apps like Inkscape. But having it free for the first month and then, not free after. Hmm, some of my projects have used its fonts and other premium tools. So I had to start over using my own app. If you have extra $50 a month, well there you go! That's the monthly cost of a premium access to glowforge premium features. CON #4 - CALIBRATION. This one is probably a minor one. At first, you'll notice that your engraves and cuts are not lining up with what was showing on your monitor, especially if you need to repeat a cut. It was sometimes off by as much as 1/2 inch. There is an instruction out there to calibrate it, but won't be 100% calibrated.

CON #5 - SHIPPING. Our machine arrived after 6-7weeks. The waiting game could really be one of the frustrating part. But once it arrived and we started using it. Yes, it was worth the wait. Although, right now, there's a company that sells this machine and they said could deliver it within a week or two. The downside to that is that, you can't use a discount code a.k.a. referral code. But it really is all up to you. Ask yourself. Would the discount be worth it even if you had to wait almost two months for the machine to get to you? Or f$%# that discount, I need the machine ASAP! Your machine, your money, your waiting game, your call.

CON #6 - At this moment, I've got none for this. :D

So let's move on with PROs.

PRO #1 - EASY SET UP. They weren't really kidding when they said you can set it up and have your first project within 30 minutes. Our first cut, ta da!

PRO #2 - USER-FRIENDLY. If you are like me and it is your first time to use a machine like this. Well, you are in luck, other than it's user friendly interface, you'll also have help across glowforge community.

PRO #3 - PROOFGRADE MATERIALS INCLUDED. Together with the machine, they'll also include quite a lot of proofgrade materials to help you start with projects either for practice or real deal. Proofgrade products have barcodes that the camera reads and by doing so, the machine knows what type of material is on the tray and then you'll have readily pre-saved settings for cutting, engraving and scoring.

PRO #4 - NO BIG JUMP ON ELECTRIC BILL. We have been using it for the first three months for three to four times a week and not much spike on our electric consumption. 👍

PRO #5 - FREE DESIGNS ONLINE. Other than the Glowforge designs it has in the app, the glowforge community also has free designs available to download from fellow glowforge owners. They are awesome.

To summarize it all, we really think that even if we just use it once or twice a week, it will still be a rad machine, worth every penny. The whole family loves it. And we were glad to have it.

If you want a Glowforge for yourself, you can use this referral link or use code TECHXOAO. According to their site, if you buy from my link, we will each get something terrific(their word not mine.) You'll get a $250-$500 discount depending on what machine you'll gonna buy. And I'm gonna get compensated. Win-win, right?

These are my first cuts and engraves. I am no pro, I know that. But learning is a lifelong process. So, maybe we will get there.

As of now, I am really pleased to have become a glowforge owner alongside with my husband. I have occasionally sold some items and that is fine. We are simply pleased with what we have created so far. Adios. Au revoir. Paalam. Tell next time. As always, thank you for stopping by.

You are awesome!