After years of perfecting our craft, we have officially launched The Ultimate Glowforge Guide! Included are 13 files/products for you to sell year round, videos on how to edit those items, setting we use, materials we use, as well as pricing and marketing assistance. Check out our Ultimate Guide here: 85thandpine.com/products/the-ultimate-glowforge-guide
@@evanm076 I think certain products can be oversaturated but with laser cutting in general, there are so many different items you can make and it's just very versatile. Some people only sell jewelry, while others only sell engraved cutting boards. So, I think you just have to find something you enjoy creating and it can be successful as long as you put the work into it. That's what I like about laser cutting/Glowforge because there are so many options with the different things you can create from it and you're not just limited to one particular item. :) -Catherine
Love the honest reply. One thing the Glowforge cannot do is handle a rotary attachment for engraving tumblers, wine glasses, etc. Otherwise it looks like a great machine. Continued success !
Wow, i just retired and am looking for something to keep me busy and supplementing income wouldnt hurt. I am impressed with your etsy shop too. You have really done well. Dont know if i could do anything like that. But you are an inspiration. Congrats on the baby and your success. Be proud of yourself! God bless and wishing you a healthy and happy new year.
This was helpful hearing your story. Would love if you made another video showing more projects that you've done. I think a video many might find useful is how you set up shipping. I think that's intimidating.
Thanks Angie! I will definitely consider doing that. As far as shipping goes, I do everything through my Etsy account which makes it much easier. But that is a great topic to discuss!
I have a etsy page been doing great with it in only 6 months and my husband told me to expand and buy the glowforge! And I'm def considering this just need to save up for it🙃
Your “on the fence” with purchasing a Glowforge was is about the same as mine! It took less than 24 hours for me to order one! Just watched a couple of your videos; nice work! Waiting for it to arrive!
Thanks for this video I’m planning on buying one. I have a little engineer and my son is all about creating and assembling together he would love this for sure!
I also purchased mine, not on a whim, but I sell Stampin Up, but there are o many people who also do, as well as everyone who owns a Cricut, so I thought that this was something different that maybe not as many people might own! Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you for making this video I am receiving my glowforge soon and am so scared because I am not graphic designing savvy and feel a little overwhelmed. I currently have a small business with my Cricut maker and felt I needed to go up to the next level. So thank you your video gave me hope and inspiration. May I ask which model you got ?
Hi! I'm so happy you found this helpful!! No problem at all... I got the basic model. I can't obviously compare it to the others, but it works great! And you'll get the hang of it quickly. I was so nervous about the graphic design aspect but RU-vid videos really helped. But if you have any questions when you start using it, feel free to contact me! :)
@@dannijayplaypin339 I do enjoy the basic. I can’t compare it to the other models as far as speed goes since this is all I work with, but I usually don’t have issues. The only thing is when I have a large project to create and it can take a long time (I’ve printed a project for over 3 hours at one point!). So I would definitely see how getting the plus or pro would be more beneficial as far as time saving goes.
@@85thandPine ok thank you so much for responding, I only have small projects in mind currently so I think I'm going to start with the basic and use your code!
I currently have an online store and I use my Cricut but I brought a Glowforge and it’s finally arriving on Monday. I decided to buy it because customers kept requesting for custom name necklaces and I found out I can etch on custom bar necklaces and cut acrylic metal with the Glowforge. I’m really nervous but also excited to get started.
This is such a great video. Thank you for sharing! I LOVE the gear box you have displayed on your Glowforge. Do you share the pattern for it? Please???
Hi Teresa! Thank you so much! The Christmas Eve box design came from the following link: www.etsy.com/listing/679822372/cnc-plans-box-template-laser-cut-box-cnc?ga_search_query=Box&ref=shop_items_search_4&crt=1 -Catherine
I love all of your videos especially this one. I’m scared to purchase one because I don’t have experience with computers that much. But you have inspire me to give it a try. Thank you very much
Hi Gail! Thank you so very much! Please feel free to email me 85thandpine@gmail.com with any questions you have. I’m always happy to help. Best wishes to you!! -Catherine
@@85thandPine thank you so much for responding. If you are on RU-vid by the time I get mine I will definitely be emailing you. I’m in the process of moving to Georgia (6months) but in the meantime I will get some more type of understanding on your videos.
Yes, we have it inside our house right at the front door. We have a small space but the machine is small enough to put next to any window in my opinion.
@@85thandPine Ahh good call about the vent. Yes my bedroom has a window that I can vent out of. No issue with that. I think Im pretty set! Thanks! Ill use your referral code too!
I use a laptop with a touchscreen. It folds into a tablet as well so if I want to draw I can. It's not necessary to do though. You can easily just use a regular computer to design. I personally have the HP Envy.
@@85thandPine What are your thoughts on the basic model vs. the Pro? I was looking at the Pro because there are more options for bigger ticket items to create.
@@SarahSmith-xx9um I purchased the basic mainly due to financial restrictions. I plan on getting the Pro in the future when I’m able, since it does seem to have more capabilities and runs faster. But, the basic model does work really well for me right now. I would like to try different projects that are bigger, but I’ll have to wait until I get the Pro eventually. :)
This was helpful, but I was wondering where you made the money... I already have a glowforge, and I'm a graphic designer. Also working on a website, but I dont know where to advertise or how to sell... I have tiktok, etsy, and the website, but im struggling...
That is definitely the hardest part in getting sales… advertising and reaching customers. We do a lot of our business on our website but also Etsy too. We pay for Etsy Ads and that definitely helps. We also are going to focus on advertising on Facebook this fall. Paying for advertising is probably the best option but you can also market yourself through social media.
😁 If you’re waiting on yours, I’ve been hearing that they are backed up several weeks because of an influx in sales. But yeah I got mine fairly quick within a few weeks.
Would you say it’s possible to be able to make that kind of money a year after you posted this video? I’d love to get a GlowForge as I cannot use my current laser in the house because it doesn’t have an exhaust option. But I’m more afraid to take the chance. 😆
Hey Jessica. We actually doubled that the following year (2021), and I dont want to give any spoilers, but we are currently making 2021's numbers seem low. So yes, you can make more money for sure! The 2021 video is on our RU-vid here as well.
Where did you get the shelf your glow forge is on? I’m getting ready to buy my own glow forge and I love your set up. Can you give me the shelf dimensions ?
Sure! :) Here are the dimensions of the table: 23.62 x 55.12 x 29.72 inches Here is the link to where I bought it on Amazon, but it says it is unavailable. There are many others that are similar though... www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H81RWCZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8
Loved hearing about your journey. I was curious though, were you able to make this $8,000 selling just the name puzzles? I have a laser on order and am also interested in hearing how much time each day it took/takes you to design, make, paint, etc all the items you are selling. Thanks much.
Hi Gregg! I sold over 100 custom name puzzles and about 250 custom pet ornaments during a one month timeframe just on Etsy. I also sold some other custom orders that are not listed in my shop now (custom Christmas box, more ornaments). Plus, my in-person sales that I had from the holidays were from my Square account, not Etsy. It all equated to just over 8k from mid November to mid December. I actually bought SVG file designs for the ornaments I made and I did not paint those - they were just printed on unfinished baltic birch plywood that I bought from Amazon and Smokey Hill Designs. They were custom ornaments with pet’s names on them, so the design process took just a few minutes per ornament. I did take a lot of time painting the puzzles. I was probably painting about 10-20 puzzles at a time depending how many I sold every few days and the time it took me to paint, glue, and wipe the burnt edges (not totally necessary but they were dirty from the laser) was about 45 minutes per puzzle (with the exception of letting the glue dry by leaving it alone with clamps). So, I was probably spending about 8-15 hours a week on the puzzles and maybe just 3-4 hours a week on the ornaments. I was working a full time job at the time and couldn’t spend much more time on anything else, so I would have done more if I could. Now, I mainly design files myself and during the holidays I will spend more time creating custom physical products again. Let me know if you have other questions and best of luck to you with your Glowforge! -Catherine
@@85thandPine Wow Catherine, thanks for such a detailed response! This information will really help me get my business up and running. I looked at and favorited your shop and a few designs that I will definitely be buying and will keep checking back for more. Thank you again for being willing to help myself and others on our journeys.
@@greggdrennan No problem! I’m happy to help! I wish the best for you and like I said, let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for the support!
@@frankstella7753 Hi Frank! Thank you! Yes, I am still able to receive credit if you use my code. Thanks for asking and let me know if you have questions! -Catherine
@@85thandPine I definitely will, I am pursuing a small business online with it. I left my job last week and here I am, trying to figure out what I need to do and glow forge has been popping here and there... finally bit the bullet. Pls. do more tutorials.
I know the air filter is not inexpensive neither the glowPro ...but I need the air filter cause I have a 2nd floor condo. Do you really recommend buying the glow forge air filter? Thanks for the video.
Hi! I initially thought it would be best for me personally to get the filter because of the limited amount of spaces in my house to filter through a window. But, you’re right, it’s expensive. And the replacement filters are also expensive especially if you have to replace them frequently. I was able to make it work without using the compact filter all the time. 90% of the time I vent out a window. If you have access to a window in your condo, I would recommend trying that out before buying a compact filter. -Catherine
Awesome results! Any concerns about the puzzle and consumer safety? I go back and forth with this idea, but there are so many regulations when you get into children’s products.
Hi Karole! Thank you. I had the same concerns with making children’s products. However, I make sure to do everything I can to make it safe. The puzzles are sanded to smooth any sharp edges and I use non toxic paint for the letters. The puzzle is pretty solid and I also wipe down the edges to help reduce the burnt residue. I haven’t had any problems so far. I also put a disclaimer note on my listing to buyers making sure they understand not to leave their child unattended, etc. The pieces I use for my puzzles are large enough where choking shouldn’t be a concern, so I really try to make sure I cover everything. But I agree, it is always concerning when creating things for children because of safety regulations!
Hi JB. I personally have the basic. It has worked well for us and for what we do. If you are looking for a slightly faster machine or to do larger projects I would upgrade to a different model. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Brad! I definitely saw an increase in sales during Christmas. However, I’m still making quite a few sales today- just not as many as the holidays. It does fluctuate from month to month but I have been able to still have some great success overall and call it my full time job.
Hi, thanks for your helpful videos! Quick, possibly stupid, question. I worry about venting mine out a window because my neighbor’s yard isn’t too far away (it’s not super close either but I don’t live in a rural area where we have a lot of distance between houses) and she also has an outside cat. I would never want to have fumes or debris coming out of my window that could harm a person, or animal. When you vent out a window, is there a build up of stuff outside that happens? Like is there wood and acrylic dust that piles up or does it just fly into the air? I do worry about this. Thanks in advance for your time! Love your videos!
Hi!! Thanks again for watching my videos! And I understand your concern. I don’t notice any build up of debris outside my window. It just dissipates into the air. The odor lingers outside for a little bit but not too long. I would personally think the outdoor air would help dissolve anything pretty fast. As long as the cat doesn’t come right up to the vent on the window I would think it would be ok. Can’t say for certain though!
Hi! I bought the basic. I really like it and it works well for me. I’m hoping to get a pro in the future since it can make bigger projects and is faster but I’m happy with the basic right now.
Hi Monica! Yes, it can engrave jewelry depending on what it is made of. It can only engrave certain materials though and anodized aluminum is one of them, which is found in certain jewelry. I haven’t engraved jewelry so you would need to do some research first to make sure it’s compatible.
Hi! I mostly just watched video tutorials on Inkscape. I don’t exactly remember the specific ones, but I just searched various how to’s with Inkscape since that is the graphics software I use.
Just purchased a GF and super excited to get started. Your journey is inspiring! One question though... you had over $8k in sales but how much did you have to spend on materials. I'm trying to get a realistic sense of what profits I might be able to expect (as well as a realistic sense of expenses). Thanks!
Thanks so much! At the time during my first month with laser cutting, I purchased a lot of my materials on Amazon. I mainly bought woodpeckers 1/8” and 1/4” Baltic birch plywood. So, I would say it cost around $600 in wood materials during that first month. But I kept it pretty simple and didn’t spend money on much else.
I enjoyed listening to ur experience with ur glo forge. What is the difference in the Price from yrs to the pro. Question?? Is WiFi the same as the Internet?? Thank U for Sharing ❤
According to their website, the pro is $5995 and the basic is $2995, but that doesn’t include taxes and shipping. You need WiFi in order to operate the machine.
@@85thandPine Thk U for ur response. I appreciate it. ❤ Question: So therefore if I was to purchase the PLUS it would do what urs do and a lot more??? ❤ And I'm happy for U that u get to stay home with ur child. That's awesome
@@donnap.leonard5374 No problem and thank you! 😊 According to the Glowforge website, they say that “The Plus offers upgraded components and a top engraving speed that’s up to twice as fast as the Glowforge Basic.” I personally haven’t tried out the plus or pro but I hear they are faster than the basic and have certain upgrades. The pro also has a pass through slot which lets you make bigger projects.
Hi Shannon! In brief, the basic model is the slowest in terms of cutting/engraving, the plus is a little bit faster and the pro is the fastest. The pro is also the only one that can cut/engrave bigger projects with the "passthrough slot" - meaning, it can fit sheets of material measured at 19" x infinity. The basic and plus can fit materials measured at about 19" x 11". Here is a video on a more in depth comparison if you're interested... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PG-BXgzGZWM.html :)
@@shannonroberts7242 that’s great! I just know how well it has done for my family so I’m always excited to hear when other people consider trying it out. Let me know if you have other questions. I’m hoping to do a video series on starting your own laser cutting business soon.
Did you make your $8K selling SVG's or did you have another shop? I only see two ready-made items in your shop and the rest are cutting files for laser cutters. Your Etsy says you only have 706 sales to date and I am wondering how that translates to over $8K.
Hi! I only started selling digital files starting in January and those files are the majority of my sales at this point. At the beginning, in November and December, I only sold physical items. I sold over 100 custom name puzzles and about 250 ornaments during a one month timeframe. I also sold some other custom orders that are not listed in my shop now. Plus, my in-person sales that I had from the holidays were from my Square account, not Etsy. It all equated to just over 8k from mid November to mid December.
If I make 4x3” wood ornaments, I can usually fit about 12, maybe more. Depends on the design of the ornament but you can position them however you want in order to make them fit! :)
@@elg5739 it depends how intricate the ornaments are, but if they are all cut and no engraving it make take less time. I usually cut 12 in about 40 minutes with no engraving and some intricate cutting. That’s with the basic model. The plus and pro are faster
@@85thandPine yes! You've given me courage to get the basic as well. Many of the RU-vid videos make me feel like " wellllll, maybe the pro is future proof".... Basic is just as effective but without a passthrough.
@@MrMakemusicmike for sure! We don’t regret getting the basic. Would we preferred to have the pass through with the pro? Definitely, but we couldn’t afford it at the time and it still worked out!
Great video!! Thanks so much for the information. I am debating on either buying an Epson sublimation printer and the Glowforge. I know they are different machines but I don’t know what to do. No too talented :/ anyone else on the same page?
Thank you! It’s a tough decision, especially with the cost. I’m not familiar with the Epson printer but I know there are lots of different options out there!
I bought the Epsom printer for 199.00 and converted it to a sublimation printer and it is so fun. I make really great shirts to sell at my sisters store and have had a good run. It’s super easy and fun to do but I am looking to expand because I love working with wood and am seriously considering a glow forge as well! Either way you should be good!
Great question. I actually taught myself. I mainly watched videos on how to design, but they were super lengthy. I currently shooting a video series on how to edit to start your own laser cutting business.
@@85thandPine Sounds good. I self teach myself on a lot of things and want to learn how to laser cut & engrave things. Would you say that the glowforge basic is good for beginners? I watched a few videos and saw that people where experiencing issue with the glowforge.
@@shannonroberts7242 I personally have the basic model. I found it very intuitive to use. Especially compared to more industrial laser cutters. In regards to whether to cut or engrave, that depends on what kind of project you are doing. You can engrave letters or cut out letters. The end goal will dictate what method you use. Feel free to join my Facebook group, Students of the Forge. I think you will get a lot out of it. facebook.com/groups/studentsoftheforge
Thank you so much Frank!! I did receive a notification. My family and I appreciate it more than you know! Let me know if you have questions and best wishes!
Hello! You can get either $250 or $500 off (between the plus and the pro models) if you use my referral code. The link to find it is at the beginning of the description box of this video. Once you click the link, it will be automatically applied to your cart if you select the plus or the pro model.
