Purchased a Digital Die Cutting Machine!

Before I put West Coast Origami and Cindy Ho Designs on hiatus last year, I made a decision to buy a digital cutter to grow my design business.   Well, 18 months later, I got one! 

Before making this critical decision, the problem was, I had no idea what was out there!  My friends from Scrapbooks by Design and Lucky Charms Card Collection had the Cameo and Cricut respectfully so they were considered, but I wanted to make my own cutting files and something that would cut more then paper, chipboard and vinyl.

Research began with the 2012 version of this same link:

2013 Die Cutting Machine’s Review

Great way to short list them by features, materials options, capabilities and customer service.  If you are looking for your cutter, I think this is a great start.

Additionally hours were spent reviewing YouTube, forums and blogs.  If price point is that important to you, I highly recommend reading reviews of customers who actually invested time and money in their machines. 

The best comparison reviews that I’ve found was here:

Under a Cherry Tree: Reviews of Electronic Cutters

What did I end up choosing after my hours of research? 

The Boss Kut Gazelle met most of what I wanted in a cutter but it was really my 2nd choice.  My first choice was the Black Cat Cougar but this was twice the price as the Boss Kut Gazelle.   I can always upgrade when the business grows but you never know, maybe this machine will be my last machine.

I did notice it was hard to find alot of information on the Boss Kut Gazelle.  Mostly forums who gave their opinion.  So I paid close attention of anyone who owned multiple machines.  Most were positive and there was only one one negative review specific to the machine.    Other than that review, most of the complaints was you can only get it in white and pink. 

By the way, I love the colour.  Even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t deter me.

Before making new designs for my business, I have to learn how to use it it first.  Since I had tough finding information, I decided to blog my learning curve experience so anyone whose thinking of buying one can at least ready about my experience.  In the next few weeks, I’ll keep you posted.  If you have any tips or comments to help me learn, please drop me a line!

Sold My First Photo on Foap

I’ve been trying Foap since last year but I’ve been neglecting uploading new content for the last few months during the last stage of our house build.  I have many files to process before getting caught up!

Imagine my delight when I received an email stating I sold my first photo!

Messy House Sign

This one is really one of my favourites.  This was taken Country Village in a trip to Bothell, Washington last year.

Cindy Ho Designs Reopening in 2013

Back in October 2011, my husband and I decided to start on a new adventure.   We have a growing family and needed more space.  It was either move or rebuild.  We chose to rebuild. 

The most difficult wasn’t closing my two stores for the year.  It was not having a home to call your own.  Going through this experience has made me appreciate how blessed we are to be able to do what we did.  When I posted on my West Coast Origami Blog, I really felt the toughest was not creating and doing what I love.  This was true.  However, without a place to call my own, without a place to relax after a stressful day at the office (my day job) it actually affected my mental well being.  I even stopped blogging regularly because I wasn’t able to do anything worth sharing.  Only thing kept me going some days is knowing I’m getting my studio very soon.

I did try to have a little fun.  My family drew and wrote messages on the frame just before the drywall stage.  I drew a sharpie version of my logo.  This is now hidden inside my studio wall, for the future owners to find after I’m long gone.   The builders must have found this amusing.

We moved in 3 weeks ago!  The day we moved in, happiness I’ve been for a year.  We are 90% unpacked and  I’m still working and organizing my workspace.  I will share photos once I’m satisfied it’s complete.  It’s not a big space, but it’s space of my own that I can create and really grow Cindy Ho Designs and West Cost Origami to the next level. 

For now, we decided  to try and get the house ready for Christmas and take the time to recharge.  Work to get my inspiration back and get back into my work at full strength.