Delivery of the Glowforge

I last updated stating I received my Glowforge in this blog post here. 

Glowforge is currently focussed to shipping to their Amercian customers.  As a Canadian and who also works in the same industry as FLEX, I anticipated this and had mine shipped to a US mailbox and hoped the exchange rate stays towards my favour when I need to pay the taxes

The past few weeks, there’s been dozons of complains of how the shipments seems come in with surprisng amount of damage beyond the expected wear and tear of gound transit.  When mine arrived, I was releived that the package actually came in good shape

UPS delivered or the mail post box stored my box upside down.  It’s upsetting that those ‘This side up’ stickers was obviously ignored.  I was pretty worried about it.  There’s an internal cooling system and what if that leaked?   What if that put pressure on the internal parts, especially the tube?  Nothing could be done about that then so off we went back home.

Funny though, when we returned to Canada, the officer seemed suprised when declared “Laser Cutter”.  I was a little worried, but he sent us in to pay the taxes and we were on our way!

I’m not going to bore you with any unboxing videos as there were equally excited owners out there who already took the time. There’s two good ones so hyou get a sense of the size

From Tom Stringham.  He recorded with a headband camera

Or from Zach Malloch. 

Since the machine was delivered upside down, the warning note inside stating to read the manual first got shifted and fell into the box where I didn’t see it.  Please note, please:

Read the MANUAL

There’s a specific order to unpackage and set up the unit.  Had I not watched those videos before hand, I’m pretty sure I would have broke something.  The Glowforge in a temporaty home in the family garage.  Due to restricted living quarters, I wasn’t able to set up my studio.  I’ll take those photos when she’s moved to her final place.   

Thoughts about the GlowForge

Recall back in 2015 how excited I was to invest in the crowdfunding campaign to purchase a Glowforge.  By Oct 11, 2017, two years to the day I placed my order, I still haven’t received my machine.   During this period of time, the company has delayed shipping several times due to parts, design, logistics issues and many other reasons.  Each time resulting in disappointment.  Review the forums, many owners are simply fed up, some cancelled, some complain, many hanging on.

I’m in the group who stayed with it for the long hual.  Admittingly, I needed encouragement to avoid cancelling.  However, I try and remind myself that it’ll be worth it.  Here’s my personal reasons:

We can afford to wait

The money did not come out of the family budget, it came out of my profits out of Cindy Ho Designs. Even if I did use family funds, my husband would have supported the purchase.  He always say thatI never spoil myself.    Some owners took out loans or sold personal posessions in order to get into the initial crowdfunding.  Many took on embarrassment and conflict from friends and spouses.

Glowforge has a Business Plan

Startups are always poise some risk, especially when they have to rely on crowdfunding.  Look what happened to TIKO3D, who ran out of money as a result of the founder’s inexperience and arrogance. 

I researched the founders and the investers before placing my order.  I felt confident they will produce as promised.  I also researched TIKO3D.  I invested feeling that was a good chance I wouldn’t reap the reward. 

Disclaimer: I was one of the lucky few who actually received the TIKO3D.  It’s a nice product, it’s too bad that they failed their venture.

The Glowforge is still a really great deal

A similar machine was $5000 to $8000 in 2015.   I purchased this machine for just under $2000 with shipping included.   Even with the delays, the Glowforge is still a great deal.  Also with the purchase if you can get 10 new customers sign up through your referral link you’d get $100 discount for up to 10 new customers.  I was lucky enough to get 10 (so far).  If they don’t cancel before they receive their units, the machine will only be $1000 plus import tax

Production Units are Shipping

Owners has been posting their feedback online and in the forums.  Most are loving their machines and sharing their experiences.  When you see the potential and hearling people using their machines reignites my excitement as I know the machine exists.

Glowforge are Quick to Resolve Issues

There were a few machines damaged during shipping, one actually had the glass lid and tube smashed.  That’s the fault of the courier but Glowforge were quick to jump to replace or correct the problem

Was there a moment that I wanted to cancel?   

The only true time I was angry after waiting over a year.  Glowforge announced users had to return their machines to them to replace the tubes when they wear out.  After the warrently period, the shipping cost is on the customer.  If outside the USA during the warrenty period, all shipping cost are on the customer.     There was no way I was going to ship my 32 kilogram (70 pound) machine for tube replacement.  Anytime you move anything, there’s always risk of damage and the shipping cost would have been at least $300-$500.  In one announcement they shut out all International customers as the cost was too high.  This caused enough uproar thath Glowforge resinded and will figure out how to instruct the users to replace these tubes themselves.

Do I still think holding out is it worth it?

When I wrote the above, it’s been in draft for a few weeks as I haven’t had alot of time to write.  Guess what, I received the machine!  After all the heartache and negative emotions:

YES IT IS WORTH THE WAIT

I’ve only been using it for a couple of days now, however, so far, it’s been great!  I will be writing more on my experiences with this machine as my time allows, however, if you want to see projects on the go, please follow my Instagram account: @CindyHoDesigns.  If you have any feedback or suggestions, please let me know. 

For any of you are holding out, please hang in there

Jewel – Husky Digital Cutting File

A couple of years ago,  Ana asked to make a custom family Christmas card for her.  She’s one of the most vibrant ladies I’ve ever met.  She had a sweet husky named Jewel.

I generally prefer designing my own cutting files, however, she didn’t give me a lot of time to design her and her son. So I purchased some ready made files from SVG Cutting Files and made some adjustments to suit so they represented her family well.  This site is a great for any owner of a desktop digital cutter.    Their files fully editable so you can customize your creations. 

Jewel, however, I wanted to make my own cutting file as I couldn’t find cutting file that matched the SVG ones purchased.  I took heavy reference to a cute husky drawing done by a talented artist with the handle Gingalengendamterasu on Deviantart.  It was a frustrating but wonderful challenge to recreate the husky as a paper cut project.  The project ended up wonderfully.

Which Vinyl Do I Need?

For awhile I was experimenting with vinyl cutting with some scraps that I was lucky to rescue from the recycling bin at my work.  When I purchased my BossKut Cutter, it was originally intended just for paper and cardstock.  Sticker cutting was not part of the plan.  When I decided to get into producing and selling some decals, then it became research to finding the best vinyl to use for my customers.   I found that this flowchart created by a great blog Clever Some Day easily sums up what is the best vinyl for your application.  If you follow the link, she has a PDF that you can download and print for your reference. 

Wake UP. Kick Ass. Be Kind. Repeat – Excellent reminder to work at your best!

 

This is one of my favourite prints!

Summer Fan Garland by Craftaholics Anonymous

One of my favourite bloggers posted this great tutorial using the Martha Stewart Score Board last year. 

Please click on the below hyperlink and enjoy!

Summer Fan Garland Tutorial

I’ve Never Met a Hater Doing Better Then You

When I first started my adventure with Cindy Ho Designs, it wasn’t an easy start.  Many hours designing and perfecting my work on top of setting up my shop on Etsy.  All the while, having others diminish my goals, dreams and classifying my work as a hobby shop.  In their mind, I started this business because I became a mom and started to make crappy craft stuff for a little extra pocket money. 

They got in my head in the beginning.  Today I’ve evolved and now dismiss my haters.   I have more supporters who love what I do.  My first supporters actually are my Creation family! (my day job)  May of my co-workers follow me on Instagram and asked me to make custom cards after posting some on a whim.   My biggest supporter who really helped me hold it together is my wonderful husband.  Couldn’t do it without him.

Martha Stewart Scoring Board - Additional Measurements

If you own the Martha Stewart scoring board, I’m sure you made some custom sized envelopes. Recently I had orders for several different cards and there’s a few envelopes not listed in the included size chart. With a little trial and error, figured out some options that works best for my needs. I hope these will work for you.

Wake Up. Kiss Ass. Be Kind. Repeat.

This is one of my favourite prints.  I saw this randomly in my LinkedIn news feed.  I know this isn’t an original saying but I love out it turned out.  Something to live by every day.

Product Review: Scotch CAT 085 Advanced Tape Glider

There’s a Michael's on West Broadway that visit by each time I’m in the area.  Glad that I did.  On their clearance table, was a damaged box with a perfectly good tape glider for only $10.  The only thing wrong was it was someone stole the 2 rolls of tape that supposed to come with the gun.  I happen to have a 50% coupon used to purchase refills.  The regular price for the glider is $40.  Michaels always overpriced their product, but that day, I got both the gun and tape for $15.  You know when you get a rush when you find a bargain?  That day was my rush.

In the long on, this will save you money on the tape refills.  I used to buy dollar store brand tape runners but they run out quickly.  For me, $5.00 roll will replace 30 dollar store ones.  I went ‘cheap’ and purchased double sided tape rolls but they were not acid free and the adhesive started to soak and show through on many of my cards that I didn’t put to market right away.  I won’t sell sub-par product, so all that hard work down the drain.  And I shutter on the ones I did sell as those customers may not come back to my store.

So I needed a acid free tape adhesive that will last me for many paper related projects.  I’ve been eyeing this glider for a while, but when I saw that damaged box with a perfectly good gun inside, I jumped at the opportunity.

Pros:

• acid free
• bonds permanently over time, but if you make an error right away, you can rub the tape off if you are careful
• will last you many projects
• tape will ‘break’ where you want it to stop if you apply a little pressure.  A plus if you have experience with the tape stretching and snapping onto the paper in little balls

Cons:

• It’s big.  There are competing products that is smaller.  It took some time to get used to with my small hands.  And I can’t ‘throw it into the tape drawer’.  Had to find a special home for it in my craft room
• The gun itself is a little tricky to load.  I had to look it up on YouTube.  The instructions on the box is a little vague
• You have to hold the trigger to dispense the tape, this took a few projects to get used to.

I’ve been using this glider for a few weeks now and haven’t the need to refill it.  I highly recommend it even if the gun is oversized and tricky to load.  It’s worth the learning curve. 

You are Irreplaceable

Seven months since I last posted!  Shame on me!  Here’s a glimpse why:

I work in supply chain in a contract manufacturing firm during the day. The past 18 months, was filled with long hours and struggling with demands of my company’s customer due to lack of resources.  I sacrificed my focus on Cindy Ho Designs

What really happened was I lost track of my goals.  The work life balance was non-existent.  My co-worker recognized how disillusioned I was and sat me down.  She paraphrased a story that she once read that helps her focus.  This story had such an impact on me.  I now keep this story in mind when things at a little rough at my day job.

At any company, EVEN the best companies, everyone is replaceable. The jobs you and I sit in, yes, they are difficult to fill, but if we were let go or quit; in three months, someone will be hired to take our place. They may have a learning curve, but eventually they will do the job just as well as any of us. In a year, we would be remembered as someone who used to work here. After 5 years, we’d probably be forgotten. The company will move on. However, you as a daughter, mother and wife; you are irreplaceable. If today was your last day, the ones who love you most will have a empty place in their heart.  No one in the world will ever be able to replace you.

Are you Irreplaceable?

Cinderella Believed In Dreams: Printable

My friend Luanne of Markham Interpretation and Translation Services recently shared the late Walt Disney’s on his perception of Cinderella. 

This one struck me as I’m finally working to support my dream to become a designer.  I want to share this with other girls who have a dream but need to know that only she can make those dreams happen. 

Click HERE or on the picture to download your own PDF copy.

Instructions

• Print the PDF file on high quality bright white card stock
• This was designed to fit an 8 x 10 format.  Cut along the guidelines
• Place in frame and display!

© Cindy Ho Designs ~ For personal use only.

Thank You Koson

I’ve been meaning to write about this for awhile.  The original graphics were designed by a talented illustrator who put his portfolio on iStockphoto.  His user name is KOSON.

One of my quirks is I like to representing everyone I know in their Chinese Zodiac sign.  So when I found KOSON’s art, the idea came to me and kept in the back of my mind until I found the right opportunity to make it!

I made this for my husband for his birthday a while ago.  After the birth of our second child, we knew we were complete as a family. That’s what he’s all about, family.  Everyone who seen this picture raved about it.  My brother in law who has a digital artist background really liked it.  This is the guy whose generally is indifferent and impressing him even on a small level is a great complement.  It actually motivated me to dabble more into graphic design and take my interest of digital arts to the next level.

Thank you KOSON!

I love Instagram

My co-worker got me hooked onto this iPhone App.  It’s a free download one called Instagram.  It’s like Twitter, but instead of sharing the written thought, you share photos.

It’s real time photo sharing exactly when you want it.  I’ve been behind in my blog writing, photo uploads and Facebook simply because things are busy for me right now.  My Completely Random Photo Blog has been very ignored. 

Instagram is innovative and It’s all based on the notion that a picture truly equals a thousand words.  You can add filters to make them look retro or enhance them and share them with several social media sites.  All in the few minutes you are waiting for your cup of coffee to be served or in between meetings!

If you decide to download the App to your phones, you can follow me.  My user name is cindyhodesigns.

P.S. This is my own review.  I’m raving about the app because I really like it.  I’m spending more and more time away from my blogging and sometimes, I just want to share a quick picture with you!

I Love My Haw Flakes

Continuing with the theme of trying to make myself happy with food and candy and I don’t have a readily available supply of Sugus, let’s talk about my second favourite candy.  Haw Flakes!

What are Haw Flakes?

Haw flakes is a Asian sweet made from the berry of the hawthorn plant.  They always come in rolls of disks wrapped in paper.  They are plentiful here in Vancouver, BC due to the large Asian population and sometimes taken as a counter balance after taking bitter herbs and medicine.

Okay, I had to Google that.  For some reason I’ve always thought they were made from the lychee fruit.  Anyways, I’m not sure if I like them just due to the taste.  They usually give me a ‘feel good’ tingle when I eat them and at least they are not as fattening as chocolate.

It’s been a very rough couple of weeks, I’ve been eating them like crazy!  Yum! 

 

I Miss My Sugus!

Since lately I’ve been feeling down, I tried thinking of what makes me happy to cheer myself up.  Suddenly I remembered, SUGUS!

When I was small, my family would make weekly grocery trips to Vancouver’s Chinatown.  At that time, that’s the only place you can  buy Asian products and sweets.  If I was good, my dad would often buy Sugus candy by bulk.  My siblings and I would consume them within days.  It was my all time favourite candy. 

What is Sugus?  It’s a Swiss brand of chew fruit candy similar to Starbursts but not as sweet.  I only like the original versions that came in flavours of which I remember were lemon, orange, pineapple, raspberry and cherry.  My favourite is pineapple.  They used to come packaged in squares but often I seen them packaged wrapped and twisted on the ends.

Then all of the sudden those China Town stores stopped carrying this candy!  The parent company no longer sold them directly to Americas.  I didn’t notice that at first but as I grew older, I missed them!

You can still get them in Vancouver but they are completely overpriced for what you get and rarely in the flavours I grew up with.

I just have to sweet-talk someone to buy some for me when they travel overseas.  Any takers? 

What is your all time favourite sweet?