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Our First Open House Webinar

Profitable Hobbies and The I&E Network are excited to announce our first ever – Open House Webinar.

Webinar will be on Wednesday Night – March 10 at 7:00 p.m. – MDT.

Register for the Webinar Now

Here’s how it will work -

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In His Grip, Nanette Bartet

Gourd Art Carving by Nanette Bartet

Carved Gourd ArtIt amazes me how much talent there is among our network. If  this is Nanette’s 2nd gourd,  can you just imagine what her 10th or her 20th is going to look like? Wow I can’t wait.
Nanette has a very sweet spirit and it shows in her art.
Thank you for sharing your words of praise,  this is truly a wonderful network of fantastic artist. Now we have another wonderful artist  to ad to the “family”  – Tamaree


“I am so excited about this new journey that I have just begun.  My life seems to have come to another crossroads and I chose to walk down the
path less traveled, or so I thought.  I have found a whole new family of wonderful people and fantastic artists. Many of you have deeply touched my life and you aren’t even aware of it. I appreciate the wonderful spirit of sharing and the willingness to help that everyone has shown.
Recently, I watched the videos from Profitable Hobbies by Marilyn, Mary, and Booker, on gourd carving.  I have surfed the web constantly for the last few months, simply devouring the beauty of gourd creations.
My “Little Gourd” is my first attempt at wood burning. This is actually my second gourd carving.  I gave the first one to my sister for Christmas.
I give my Father credit for imparting a portion of his creativeness to my life and realize my own humanity prevents me from being able to duplicate any art piece I might do. Therefore, each expression of art is a “one-of-a kind”.  I also enjoy drawing pencil portraits, photography, calligraphy, and learning to do household renovation projects.  Hopefully, I will be able to incorporate my own photography and drawing on gourds, wood, and glass.
I also work full time doing graphics for Trax Motor Sports and enjoy my family of six gorgeous girls and eleven wonderful grandchildren.
Thanks so much for the inspiration and encouragement, Tammy.” 
In His Grip,
Nanette Bartet


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Blow Out! The Silicone Carbide Crunch

Micro Sandblasting Blowout!

Wine Bottle SandblastingPicture this…..(some of you have lived it – no imagination needed!)

You right are in the middle of an important  Glass Sandblasting Project when the bomb goes off.

What in the world just happened?

What’s that CRUNCHING in my teeth? (Taste’s Like Chicken – NOT!)

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Fittings – “It’s Just Not Fitting!”

Making Some Sense of All the Different Fittings

How do we make some sort of sense from all the different fittings? There are so many, and so many different terms of what is what.

What is a Push To Connect? What is a Quick Connect? What is a Coupler? What is a brass nipple (no, it’s not that!)?

Why does a 1/4″ pipe thread measure almost a 1/2″? Why does an 1/8″ pipe thread measure about 1/4″?

Who was the crazy person that started this mess? – and what was he/she drinking?

Let’s try to at least sort through the most common fittings used on Profitable Hobbies Engraving and Micro Sandblasting Systems.

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Custom Engraved Gourd by Glenys Moore

Sampson the Hawk – Engraved Hand Painted Gourd by Glenys Moore

Hand Painted, Engraved Gourd by Glenys MooreGlenys, has been an oil painter for many years and is an accomplished gourd artist. She has just recently learned how to engrave with the high speed Paragraver, and has combined all her talents into this beautiful gourd.

Glenys inset Sampson’s eye with a glass eye, which has brought this bird to life.

Glenys has a very unique style to all her artwork and I know we will be seeing a lot  more of this very special lady’s art in the future.  – Tamaree

Here’s the story behind this gourd.

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Engraving Glass Calligraphy

Engraving Glass Calligraphy with Ken Brown

Ken Brown Glass Calligrapher - Teaching SeminarKen Brown is an internationally known calligrapher and engraver of hand lettering. Ken has perfected the process of producing fine hand lettering onto glass, crystal and metal surfaces, using a high speed engraver. He is credited with pioneering and teaching this popular skill. In addition to mastering these skills, Ken has also perfected the process of teaching others how to do the same.

Ken had developed a simple, step by step process to produce each letter of the alphabet in beautiful, calligraphy style. It is hard to believe that every lower case letter in the alphabet can be formed using only 14 different strokes. If you can learn these strokes, you can engrave calligraphy like a pro.

Ken has produced some great videos that show his techniques and give some good ideas of what you can do.

View the Videos Below to Learn More.

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Thomas Compressor – Set up and Features

Thomas Compressor – Set up and Features

Profitable Hobbies – Thomas Compressor is a commercial grade, portable compressor specifically designed for those needing to transport their compressor to trade shows or other public events. It is quiet enough to run right under the table, yet powerful enough to deliver enough air pressure for you toughest engraving projects.

Thomas Compressor in Quiet Box

The Thomas Compressor is enclosed in a Quiet Box for quiet, safe operation. This enclosure has a built in fan and vents to allow operation with the box closed.

The video below will show you exactly how to set up and operate the compressor. Read the rest of this entry »

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Filter – Regulator – Lubricator Set Up

Filter – Regulator – Lubricator Set Up and Why You Should Use One

A filter – regulator – lubricator unit (abbreviated FRL) is an important part of your high speed engraving system. It performs three important functions:

1. Filter the air before it is delivered downstream to your handpiece.

2. Regulate the air pressure before it gets to your handpiece.

3. Lubricate the air traveling to your handpiece (unless you are using an oil free handpiece).

The video below will show you how to properly set up and adjust your FRL for worry-free operation.

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Desiccant Filter – Why and How

Why you should use a Desiccant Filter with your Engraving System and Sandblasting System.

A desiccant filter is a great way from preventing moisture from reaching your engraving equipment or contaminating your sandblasting system.

When air is compressed, moisture and heat are created. When moisture is exposed to heat, it turns to vapor. Vapor can and will pass through a standard filter/regulator. A Filter/Regulator is great for removing water in a liquid form, but vapor will pass through. As soon as the vapor cools, it turns back into liquid, reaching your engraver or the sand in your sandblaster.

How do we prevent this from happening?

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Which Foot Control is Best for Me?

Which Foot Control do I need, Electric or Variable Speed?

A popular question that we are asked at Profitable Hobbies is, “Which foot control should I use?”

Variable Speed Foot Control Electric Foot Control

The video below will show you the difference between our electric foot control and the variable speed foot control.

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