 Here is the file link if you don't have it already.Video Tutorial - See below for written tutorial and supply listHow to make pencil holder valentines on the glowforgeI first made these a few years ago out of paper and thought they would look great in wood! Here are a few easy steps to create your own! I will add a list of the supplies I used at the end of the post! Load design
Cut Design
Paint or stain pieces
Cut Vinyl Pieces - Skip this step if you engraved the arrows
Add vinyl to arrows - Skip this step if you engraved the arrows
Add pencils to finish valentines
Materials Used(Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.)
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 One of my most frequent requests is how to weld script text when using Adobe Illustrator. At the beginning I didn't know how easy it could be. It's one of the easiest things to do in the program! When I first started using Illustrator I would rasterize the text and then trace it. Doing it that way works but it was hard to get a good crisp text. It was extra steps and not a good outcome! Here are the steps to get a good, clean and easy outline of your text (any text) and then unite them for laser or vinyl cutting. Video TutorialStep 1 - Open a new documentI like to use a 19 x 10.75 inch artboard because that way I know that everything on the artboard will fit into the cut area of the glowforge.  Step 2 - Type your textChoose the type tool from the toolbar and click anywhere on the artboard.  Step 3 - Choose your fontI like hello wedding for a good font to use in my glowforge.  Step 4 - Create OutlinesClick on the type menu at the top and choose create outlines.  Step 5 - UniteYou can see in this photo that there are overlapping paths. This means that each individual letter will cut out separately. We need to unite the letters so that they cut all as one piece.  You will want to have the pathfinder window open for this step.  In the pathfinder window, choose unite. This will make all of those overlapping paths unite as one.  Step 6 - Check pathsI like to check my paths before I save. This way you can see any open paths or any overlapping paths you may have missed. You can do this by clearing the fill like in the photo below.  Step 7 - SaveNow you are ready to save. Choose save as to save in any of the options. If you need other options you can choose export instead.  Here are the svg settings I use when saving.   Did you finally hit that buy button and the anticipation and questions are driving you crazy? I know that I was crazy nervous about lasers and what else I would need once it arrived. Because let’s be honest when it finally reaches gets there you want to be able to play! I’ve compiled a few things that I wish I would have known after I pushed that buy button. What Comes with the Glowforge? The Glowforge comes with a few things in two boxes. The large box contains the Glowforge itself as well as the print head. Note, some models may be packed differently. Remember to save all of your packing materials, even those little orange bits. They are super important if you need to send the Glowforge in for any reason. The smaller box contains the crumb tray, vent hose and sample material. In the some cases, depending on model, your box may contain laser safety glasses and pass through strips. What else will I need?Here is a list of my must have’s for any Glowforge owner! (Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.)
 It seems like the Glowforge Laser is everywhere these days! We see the ads and all the amazing projects in our crafting groups. But was is it really and what are things you can and cannot do? I've had my glowforge basic for about 18 months and use it daily. Here are a few things to consider when making up your mind to hit the buy button! If you are in search of a code click here to save little money here is mine! I will all receive credit from glowforge. Which Glowforge should I choose?Glowforge Basic - $2495 The Glowforge Basic is a 40w Class 1 CO2 Laser. You will need to vent the machine out of a window or buy purchasing an external filter. The Basic comes with a 6 month warranty period. Glowforge Plus - $3995 The Glowforge Plus is a 40w Class 1 CO2 Laser. You will need to vent the machine out of a window or buy purchasing an external filter. The Plus comes with a 1 year warranty period. Glowforge Pro - $5995 The Glowforge Pro is a 45w Class 1 CO2 Laser. You will need to vent the machine out of a window or buy purchasing an external filter. The Pro comes with a 2 year warranty period. The Pro has a passthough slot allowing for much larger one piece projects than either the basic or plus. The higher power also allows for 3x the speed of the basic. Really the choice is yours. They all cut/engrave the same types of material, with the pro able to cut/engrave longer items. I've cut larger items with the basic simply by cutting in sections. What types of Material will the Glowforge cut/engrave
What types of Material can the Glowforge NOT cut/engrave
If you aren't certain about a material and can't find the answer in the forum there is a laser safe test you can perform. When in doubt don't try it before testing! Some material like Vinyl can produce toxic fumes!!!! So Yes or No?Once you have figured out what you want to do with a laser cutter it helps in narrowing down the three choices. I knew that I didn't need the pass through for my projects so I went with the basic. My code to save a little on your purchase!Each glowforge owner is given a referral code to help save a little money on each machine.
Here is mine!! It will save you $500 off of a pro, $250 off of a plus, or $100 off of a basic. I will get the same credits as well! And feel free to message me for any issues/tips!!  Not all vector programs see things the same way. Here are 3 of the most popular. While SVG files can be defined in real world units like mm and inch, but some vector programs convert these units into px (pixels). Unfortunately, some programs assume different pixel density. Illustrator assumes 72 pixels per inch Inkscape assumes 96 pixels per inch Corel Draw assumes 72 pixels per inch I have found that the easiest way to fix this when opening SVG's in Inkscape that were created in Illustrator, is go to to: File>Document Properties>display units = inches Then change the file's scale to 72 pixels per inch.   Base Construction
Drawer Construction
Embelishments
Tools and SuppliesIf you don't have a glowforge yet here is a link to save you $500 off of a Pro, $250 off of a Plus and $100 off of a Basic.
Advent Calendar 2 inch -Here Advent Calendar 3 inch -Here Rotary Cutter and Mat Set - https://amzn.to/313EEVQ Brayer - https://amzn.to/35uI083 Masking Material - https://amzn.to/2OA1QbG Plywood Sheets - https://amzn.to/3152wbM Glue - https://amzn.to/2MyV9V0 Small Hammer-https://amzn.to/329Kcjf Paint- any craft paint Air Brush (Optional)-https://amzn.to/35noiLn Scrapbook paper for background 
If you don't have a glowforge yet here is a link to save you $500 off of a Pro, $250 off of a Plus and $100 off of a Basic. Christmas Tree Countdown Blocks File -Here Rotary Cutter and Mat Set - https://amzn.to/313EEVQ Brayer - https://amzn.to/35uI083 Masking Material - https://amzn.to/2OA1QbG Plywood Sheets - https://amzn.to/3152wbM Glue - https://amzn.to/2MyV9V0 Small Hammer-https://amzn.to/329Kcjf Paint- any craft paint Air Brush (Optional)-https://amzn.to/35noiLn      Supplies for this ProjectIf you don't have a glowforge yet here is a link to save you $500 off of a Pro, $250 off of a Plus and $100 off of a Basic. Rustic Ornament Laser File - Here Rotary Cutter and Mat Set - https://amzn.to/313EEVQ Masking Material - https://amzn.to/2OA1QbG Plywood Sheets - https://amzn.to/3152wbM Xyron Creative Station - https://amzn.to/33heUXF Glue - https://amzn.to/2MyV9V0 Clamps - https://amzn.to/323XePa Wooden Beads - Hobby Lobby Paper Pack - The Paper Studio Hobby Lobby Cord - Hemp Cord Step 1 : Choose your background PaperAny paper will work. I chose a plaid pack because I love plaid!  Step 2 : Load Paper into the GlowforgeIf you don't have a special mat for cutting paper magnets work great!  Step 3 : Cut all pieces for the BackgroundHere are my Settings Speed 500 Power 30 Depth .003 Step 4 : Add Adhesive to Paper PiecesI use a Xyron Creative Staiton that makes projects like this so much easier! You can use glue as well if you don't have a sticker maker.  Step 5 : Mask your wood pieceI always mask with paper tape. A brayer, rotary cutter and mat help this step go quickly and smoothly without the tape lifting during cutting. Step 6 : Cut PiecesFor .125" wood I use settings Speed 200 Power Full Depth .125 Step 7 : Add Background paper to each base.If you don't have a sticker maker glue will work just as well for this step. Step 8 : Glue Front Piece onto BaseI like to use Gorilla Super Glue but any glue that you like to use will work for this step. Step 9 : Glue Center PiecesI like to lay my pieces out before I glue so I know what placement works best for my project. Step 10 : Complete Ornament with beads and cord.I really liked the wooden beads on the ornament string but they are completely optional. I used hemp cord for the rustic look. This post may include affiliate links. This does not mean it will cost you anymore, I may just receive a small commission for the referral.
 Now it's Magic Time! Just have to send the file to the Glowforge and Assemble your Design! Steps for this Are Easy! Here is a short video.
1. Gather your supplies. Here I have my masking, brayer and rotary cutter. 2. Mask your material.
3. Load your Material into the Glowforge. 4. Magic Time. Press the button and watch the magic. 5. Remove Masking 6. Assemble the Top and Bottom Sections. 7. Enjoy!
Parts 1 and 2 Now that you know how to create a box using the Box-O-Matic App you are ready to go. If you just want the plain box you can just upload it the way the app saves it. If you would like to modify or add a design then this post is for you! Here is the video. Keep reading if you would like to see step by step instructions. Step By Step Instructions1. Create a new document in Adobe Illustrator. 2. Choose an Artboard size. I use a 18x11 inch artboard. 3. Place your file on the Artboard by selecting file and Place. 4. Go to object and ungroup. This design was ungrouped 3 times to get to individual pieces. 5. Choose Object, Path and then Join to close all the paths. Do this for each piece. 6. Change the fill color to solid to check for closed paths. If any piece is not solid you need to go back to step 5 and join again. 7. I chose to do a text design. This font is Chick-a-Leigh from Kitaleigh and is one of my favorites! 8. For cut lines I use RGB code ff0000 (red) and for Engrave I use the RGB code 0000ff (blue).  9. This is how my design looks once its ready for the glowforge. 10. Now you are ready to save! Choose save as, name your project and choose the SVG format. Next onto Glowforge!
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AuthorWelcome! I hope you find some fun info within my crazy ramblings. I love to create things and to write so this is the perfect way to combine them! I hope you find something you love in my files, info, tutorials and more! Archives
January 2020
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