I’ve had my Glowforge for about a week and a half now. Figures it shows up and I get ridiculously busy, but that’s just the way it goes. I’ve spent a lot more time working on designs than actually getting to cut them, so when people say, “work ahead,” it’s really good advice that you should listen to 
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So here are a few things I’ve done that I remembered to take a picture of. One of the very first projects was to make a little plaque for my father-in-law who just got into the cattle business. They came for a visit the day after I received my Glowforge so I whipped this up for them real quick. Loved their reaction to it 
The calf was their first for their new herd. Wish I would of had a better picture of it, just grabbed one off of their Facebook page. No matter what I did (curves, highpass, unsharp mask) I just couldn’t get very good contrast. This was printed on Proofgrade Maple hardwood.
Let’s see, next, I had a couple of pieces of scrap from making a vent for my window that looked remarkably like coasters so I did this to them:
No masking or anything (though in this case, I like the smoke effect). This was on a cheap piece of Luan board from Home Depot. Settings were just a shot in the dark. Our local school is the Brahamas (you are going to see a lot of those from me).
Playing with some other designs for spirit items. I really like the two-color acrylic (this from inventables, purple on white, 1/16") Spent some time playing with setting and zeroing in on this last night. Here are a couple of test cuts:
Once I figured my power and speed out (more or less) I really liked how much detail this material would take, problem is at this size I’m really going to have to take kerf into consideration.
My wife wanted to make some quick and easy presents for two of her co-workers at school, one for a birthday, and the other for finally graduating so she asked me to make these. I used some 1/4" BB ply from inventables. It was a little warped and I didn’t notice so I had to finagle the pieces out where they didn’t cut all the way through. Now I know to test before I move anything! The presents were very well received.
Just a quick cut out, unmasked since we were going to paint them anyway. A couple quick coats of cheap black spray paint and you have a great personalized gift. Man! I love this machine. Have I said that before?
Here’s a fun one. My 15 year old had a project for school where he was supposed to draw a poster, instead, he decided to etch it in wood (I think he’s hoping for bonus points)
This one is jus a draft. He was so excited to use the Glowforge that he did this project two weeks early. Yet another “Magical” Glowforge side effect
. This was just that same cheap 1/4" luan board.
I guess last, but not least, here are a couple of ear rings I made up for my wife to wear to my son’s district cross country meet Wednesday. Need to remember to glue them onto their backing this afternoon.
Sorry for the pic quality. Need to find better lighting. These are that same two-color purple and white acrylic (1/16")
I know it’s been a long wait, and very frustrating at times, but I can’t wait till everyone gets to experience this machine. Even with some of the temporary limitations it’s still and incredible tool, and will only get better.
(pretty sure I won’t be able to use that excuse again at Christmas).
Hope he got the bonus points! You have so much diversity in your first week of projects - can’t wait to see what’s next.
