Glowforge Projects — Cut, Engrave, Amaze
In today’s studio, Natalie teamed up with local crafter Mason to design layered acrylic ornaments using the Glowforge Aura. They began by sketching a snowflake in Procreate, exported it as an SVG, and engraved three acrylic layers at different depths. Each piece caught the light differently, creating a dimensional shimmer that photos barely capture.
After engraving, they glued the layers using UV resin and added a wooden backing for contrast. The Glowforge handled every cut precisely, even the 1 mm text etching. Mason says it’s the first time he’s ever finished a project that looked “better than Pinterest.”
Tips & Tricks:
• Mask acrylic with painter’s tape to reduce smoke marks.
• Keep exhaust filters clean to maintain laser power.
• Add drop shadow layers in your SVG to fake depth without extra engraving time.
Cricut Maker — Vinyl & Iron-On Magic
Natalie challenged her class to design matching holiday aprons with metallic iron-on vinyl. Using Cricut Design Space, they cut “Bake Squad” lettering from gold foil. The Maker 3’s sensor cut perfectly even when glitter scattered onto the mat — a small miracle in December workshops.
Each participant weeded their design, positioned it on a canvas apron, and pressed for 30 seconds at 315°F. Within minutes, the room glimmered with gold text and frosting dust. “It’s therapy with sparkle,” one guest laughed.
Tips & Tricks:
• Mirror iron-on designs before cutting.
• Pre-press fabric 5 sec to remove moisture.
• Use parchment paper for heat protection and cleaner finishes.
xTool Experiments — Wood, Metal & Tumblers
After hours, the studio buzzed as Natalie’s team tested the xTool F1 on stainless tumblers. They prepped artwork in LightBurn and used the rotary attachment for a seamless wrap. The laser carved crisp white logos through the powder coat, producing a professional finish rivaling commercial etching.
Students then switched to 3 mm birch plywood to engrave recipe cards in Grandma’s handwriting. By scanning the penmanship directly, they captured every loop and quirk — a memory preserved in wood.
Tips & Tricks:
• For tumblers, rotate at 400 mm/s, 100% power, 254 DPI.
• Tape off edges to prevent soot halos.
• Wipe finished engraves with rubbing alcohol for bright contrast.
Glass Fusing — From Shards to Shine
Today’s highlight was “Mini Mosaics,” where everyone built fused glass coasters. Natalie demonstrated how to score COE 96 sheet glass into strips, nip them into tesserae, then arrange color gradients on a 4″ tile. The kiln fired to 1450 °F for 15 minutes, cooling overnight to reveal smooth, candy-like surfaces.
First-timer Jade admitted she was terrified of glass but left obsessed, holding a rainbow coaster glowing like sugar candy. “It’s glass therapy,” she joked.
Tips & Tricks:
• Clean glass with alcohol before firing.
• Avoid stacking more than ¼″ thick.
• Cap frit with clear for jewel-tone brilliance.
Canvas Painting — Layers of Light
Natalie hosted a night class using Cricut-cut stencils for silhouette skylines. Participants sponged pastel sunsets, then peeled masks to reveal crisp cityscapes. The final touch: metallic acrylics brushed across building edges for reflected “sunset glass.”
Each piece looked unique, proving templates spark creativity rather than limit it. “Same stencil, totally different soul,” Natalie smiled.
Tips & Tricks:
• Peel stencil while paint is slightly damp.
• Mix glaze medium for translucent layers.
• Seal with matte spray to prevent tackiness.
Pottery Painting — Glaze & Grace
Family Night focused on mugs with layered underglazes. Everyone traced Cricut-cut vinyl shapes onto bisque, painted within lines, then removed masks before final glazing. After firing to cone 06, designs fused into glossy permanence.
Kids painted emojis; grandparents painted mountains. “Same mug, different story,” Natalie said while unloading the kiln next morning.
Tips & Tricks:
• Two thin coats beat one thick.
• Clean base ¼″ to avoid sticking.
• Fire identical pieces together for even heat.
Resin & Flow Art — Color That Moves
The studio smelled of resin and excitement. Makers poured metallic teal and magenta pigments onto round canvases, tilting until marbling met in cosmic swirls. Natalie timed each torch pass to pop bubbles without scorching pigment.
After curing, each artist framed their piece in walnut rings cut on the Glowforge, blending tech with fluid art.
Tips & Tricks:
• Warm resin bottles before mixing.
• Mix 2 min slowly, rest 1 min before pour.
• Cure dust-free 24 hrs on level surface.
Community Spotlight — Makers We Love
Every Friday, Natalie features creators from around the country. This week’s shout-out: Alicia M., who laser-cut wedding signage from scrap birch; Devin R., whose Cricut labels turned a pantry into a Pinterest dream; and Ella K., combining resin pours with gold-leaf lettering.
“We’re all just storytellers in different materials,” Natalie says.
Tips & Tricks:
• Tag #HeySageLife to be featured.
• Photograph under natural light for best detail.
• Keep captions about the *why*, not just the *how*.
Tools Galore & Techniques of Trade
Welcome to today’s Maker’s Corner! Here, Natalie will share her favorite tools and techniques that transform raw materials into dazzling DIY projects. She’ll delve into speedy shortcuts, helpful hacks, and secret sauces that make creations pop.
This month, Natalie’s been loving her multipurpose Cricut Maker, a powerhouse tool that seamlessly cuts, draws, scores, and engraves a plethora of materials. Also, she’s found her Glowforge laser an indispensable asset, perfect for crafting precision-cut pieces and engravings.
Tips & Tricks:Book a Studio Session
• Regularly clean your machines to ensure long-lasting performance.
• Don’t rush the making process—sometimes slowing down creates the best results.
• Experiment with different materials and techniques; you never know what you may end up loving.
🎨 Natalie’s Maker Reality Check
In every maker’s journey, there are missteps, messy mistakes, and moments of marvelling at the magic of creation. Remember that making is a process filled with joy, curiosity, and the occasional “doh!” No one is perfect, but learning and laughing along the way makes the journey all the more memorable.
“Mistakes are simply stepping stones on the path to creativity.” — Natalie