Archive for the ‘Employee Blogs’ Category

Money Making Ideas for  Engraving / Sandblasting

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Carole Edwards has been helping Profitable Hobbies customers with every aspect of their engraving / sandblasting business for well over 25 years.

She has prepared some ideas to share with everyone about how to make money with engraving and sandblasting.

There is also a video below that will introduce even more ideas from Carole – actual projects that she has completed for her clients.

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From the Desk of Carole Edwards:

People are always asking me, “How do I make money with my Micro Sandblaster and Engraving System?”

I tell them to start by pulling out the phone book and begin writing down every business that would benefit from what you do.

Let me give you a partial list just to get you started thinking:

(and don’t forget to watch the video below!)

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Gourd Art Carving by Nanette Bartet

Sampson the Hawk – Engraved Hand Painted Gourd by Glenys Moore

Glenys, 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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Deep Relief Wood Carving

Here are some  photos of a deep relief wood carving project that was sent into us by one of our I & E Members.

Here is the latest project I am working on. This is a piece of  Maple that is 12x8x2 in. This jousting scene is in a deep relief carving. I do have a ways to go. I will post pictures of my progress over time. Please Enjoy.

Mel

Mel Joines Studio

Artistic Engraving

The letter below on Hand Engraving was sent in by Marie Gibbon. She prints this out and hands it out at marketing events.  This way, her customers see that she also offers many other personalized, hand engraved products in addition to their purchase. This is a good idea to get return customers from a trade show, craft fair, county fair or any other event. Keep up the good work Marie.

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Hand Engraving provides you with the ability to personalize Wine & most Liquor and Fragrance Bottles, Crystal, Glass & Metal in a unique and beautiful script. Hand Engraving transforms that ordinary piece – be it a champagne flute, wine glass or beer stein, candle holder, cake plate/ knife, flower vase or picture frame into something quite extraordinary for any occasion. By adding hand engraving to your gifts and mementos, you will long be remembered for the uniqueness of your purchase….and the extra thought and time you put into your gift. It is my wish that that a personal touch will enhance your special occasion. I can also engrave to decorate mirrors & other items in YOUR home.

My hand engraving is done freehand on all items. Using a specially configured, ultra-high-speed drill (300,000rpm) and carbide or diamond burs, I am able to custom engrave Calligraphy & designs on most surfaces without the use of templates or other aides. Note that hand engraving is cut deeper and bolder than most other engraving methods. You may find that somewhere, usually quite small, I have signed your piece. It gives me the greatest pleasure to make your purchase…your gift….to be viewed as one-of-a-kind! Use your imagination…add YOUR personal touch! I can even engrave it with YOUR signature!

I also do vehicle windows & mirrors, you name it: glass or metal and I can do it. Let’s create something~~

Marie L.Gibbon

More Eggshell Art and Scrimshaw sent in by Nellie Whitener.

Here are some additional pictures of Nellie’s artwork.

Please click on the pictures in the carousel above to view larger.

Nellie Whitener is doing some great artwork engraving on Eggshells.

She recently sent us an e-mail containing pictures of some of her latest projects.

Here is the e-mail she sent in, we thought others might enjoy it.

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I have had a Paragrave since the late 80′s. My husband was interested in it and purchased it at a Small Business Expo in Charlotte, NC.

After we received it, he never did much with it, but always doing some form of art work, it just naturally became mine. I had previously had my own Leather Shop where I did custom leather carved items for commissioned pieces as well as doing for the public.

I remained in this business for over 10 years until I had to have Carpal Tunnel surgery on both hands from all the use with the leather tools. After that I developed Arthritis in my hands and it made it difficult to use the leather tools. I did work with the Paragrave for several years doing custom glassware, metal engraving, and egg carvings until I was diagnosed with Leukemia 7 years ago, and I was working a full time job at the time and my husband had passed away 2 months before my cancer was found.

My company closed down in March of this year, and I haven’t had to do any treatments since last November, so I really got in the mood to get back in my shop and get going with my engraving. At the present time I am doing some commission work on emu eggs doing portraits, and have just completed an Ostrich egg. I am attaching some pictures for you to look at.

I have been away from this for 7 years, so I am just getting back into enjoying all that this high speed tool can accomplish, it’s awesome, and Dr. Lew has always been an inspiration. I actually had the privilege to meet him and Tammy several years ago when they came to Durham North Carolina for a seminar.

Best wishes, keep up the great work out there,  Nellie Whitener.

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Keep up the good work Nellie, the eggshell look great!

Kevin Simpson sandblasting a cookie jar?

That is the first thing that went through my head when Kevin sent us this picture of his latest project.

I was quite stunned when I seen it because as far as I knew, Kevin only did wood carvings – gun stocks, etc.

Kevin is starting to get into micro sandblasting which will be a nice addition to his artistic creations. It will broaden the variety of products that he will have to offer his clients.

I don’t know all the details but I would imagine Kevin sandblasted the design, then color was added using Pearl Blue Rub-N-Buff.

Sharon and Weston Ross just sent in pictures of their latest work of art.

This is a custom carved gourd and it is simply amazing.

Keep up the good work Sharon and Weston, we look forward to seeing more in the near future.

Steve Bartholomew is truly an Artist in Wood. He is reaching farther and farther in his wood carving and engraving artwork and producing some beautiful works of art. Steve produces items such as LDS Temple plaques, custom electrical cover plates, artistic wildlife carvings (including some great taxidermy stands), custom engraved gunstocks and other wood carving projects.

Steve has extensive experience working with wood. He has owned a cabinet shop for many years where he produces custom cabinets for all types of projects.

Artist In Wood

Taxidermy Stand - Custom Carved

Temple Engraving

Steve is now spending more and more time combining his wood working ability with his artistic talents, and as you can see, he is progressing in leaps and bounds.

We look forward to seeing what Steve will come up with next.