Category: Uncategorized

One aspect of the xTool F1 Ultra is the machine’s ability to engrave embossed designs. Let’s take a look at how to set it up in xTool’s XCS (xTool Creative Studio) software and how it works with the xTool F1 Ultra laser.

Tutorial: Engraved Coin with xTool F1 Ultra

Setting Up the Engrave in the XCS Software

To create an embossed engrave design, you’ll need a depth map. This special graphic breaks an image down into many layers for the machine to engrave – giving it depth.

You’ve got three options:

1. Use the built in AI (Artimind) in XCS to create a depth map.
2. Use a third party site to create your own depth map and import it.
3. Choose an image from the XCS library.

Let’s use the built in AI with my own image in XCS to create a depth map.

First, open the XCS software, and click the AI icon on the left hand side toolbar.

Next, choose ‘Embossment’.

Upload your design, click the ‘Generate’ button and let the software transform your image.

Hover over the newly created depth map, and select the 3rd icon (Import to Canvas).

Setting Up the Engrave in the Machine

Perfect! Now that the image is loaded into the software as a depth map, put your material to be engraved onto the machine.

(add photo of material in the machine)

Choose your settings. For this tutorial, I’m using the built in settings for ‘Commemmorative Coin’.

You probably encounter low content products every day in your life, you just don’t know that they have a name.

What Are Low Content Products?

Amazon defines low content books as, “A low-content book has minimal or no content on the interior pages. Low-content books are generally repetitive, and designed to be filled in by the user.”

While many low content products are books, they don’t have to be an entire book. Low content products can be a single page. For example: This free habit tracker on Cutting for Business is a low content product.

20 Examples of Low Content Products

Journals & Diaries

Journals are one of the most well known low content products.

1. Journals & Diaries
2. Logbooks
3. Planners
4. Habit trackers
5. Business calendars
6. Worksheet
7. Content calendars
8. Checklists

Where Can You Sell Low Content Products?

Low content products can make great products to sell both digitally and in print.

How Can You Design Low Content Products if You Don’t Have Design Skills

Whether you are heading out of town, have family or friends coming into town, or just need a break from your Etsy shop – there are a variety of reasons why you might want to put your Etsy shop into vacation mode.

Today, I’ll share step by step instructions.

How to Put Your Etsy Shop in Vacation Mode

1. Log into your Etsy Shop Manager.

Thinking of opening a second Etsy Shop? Today, let’s look at some of the pros and cons.

Why Would You Want to Open a Second Etsy Shop?

What Does Etsy Say About Opening a Second Etsy Shop?

10 Pros to Opening a Second Etsy Shop

Earlier in the summer, I purchased a Remarkable tablet to better organize my life. After using it for the entire summer, I’m ready to share my thoughts on the Remarkable 2.

What is a Remarkable 2?

Never heard of the Remarkable2? Remarkable is an e-ink tablet. If you are familiar with a Kindle, a Remarkable 2 looks like a larger Kindle that you can write on. Put simply, it can replace your paper notebooks.

How Am I Using the Remarkable 2?

To understand how I’m using my Remarkable, you have to understand how I (used) to manage everything in my life. I used to use spiral notebooks. I had a spiral notebook for Cutting for Business. I had a notebook for family stuff – like meal planning, grocery lists, and kid’s stuff. I had a notebook for each aspect of my life.

This system worked well and served me well for years. But, there were a few problems: 1) Sometimes I would find myself without the notebook I needed. For example, I’d be at the store and I would have a great idea for a blog post. But, I wouldn’t have the Cutting for Business notebook with me. 2) Carrying around different notebooks

Features of the Remarkable 2

• Screen writing surface feels like pencil and paper
• 10.3 inch screen
• Weighs 14.1 ounces
• 8 GB storage capacity
• Can open PDF files
• Syncs to a cloud

How Long is the Battery Life on the Remarkable 2?

Remarkable notes that the battery lasts for around 3 weeks when used for 3 hours daily. I’ve found this battery life estimate to be correct. I’ve been charging my Remarkable2 about once a month.

How is it Different from an iPad and Apple Pencil?

A Remarkable2

FAQ About Remarkable2

Q: Does the Remarkable 2 have a camera?
A: No, the Remarkable 2 does not have a camera.

Q: Can you browse the internet on the Remarkable 2?
A: No, the Remarkable 2 does not have a web browser.

Q: Can you watch movies on the Remarkable 2?
A: No, the Remarkable 2 does not play movies.

Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Remarkable claims that the Remarkable 2 lasts for approximately 3 weeks with daily usage of

marker plus	17	0.52
	17	0.56
	14	0.52
remarkable app	13	0.54
mobile apps	12	0.52
google drive	11	0.52
	10	0.52
book folio	10	0.51
power button	10	0.54
pdf files	9	0.52
	8	0.53
marker tips	8	0.52
mobile device	8	0.51
handwritten notes	7	0.54
levels of pressure sensitivity	7	0.50
remarkable desktop app	7	0.53
ballpoint pen	7	0.52
e-ink display	6	0.53
usb-c port	6	0.51
digital devices	6	0.56
monthly subscription	5	0.54
app store	5	0.54
great addition	5	0.52
ipad pro	5	0.51
screen share	5	0.51
writing experience	5	0.50
remarkable marker	5	0.57
cloud services	5	0.53
e ink tablet	5	0.54
to-do lists	4	0.54
e-ink tablet	4	0.53
direct sunlight	4	0.53
connect subscription	4	0.52
wi-fi connection	4	0.52
ghz dual-core arm processor	4	0.52
mah battery	4	0.52
note-taking experience	4	0.52
unlimited cloud storage	4	0.51
real time	4	0.51
connect plan	4	0.51
chicken scratch	4	0.51
glass screen	4	0.51
new notebooks	4	0.51
day planners	4	0.51
different pens	4	0.51
paper notebooks	4	0.50
legal pads	4	0.50
regular tablet	4	0.50
feel of paper	3	0.57
use case	3	0.56
digital note-taking	3	0.56
high price tag	3	0.55
ipad mini	3	0.54
web pages	3	0.54
email address	3	0.54
brush strokes	3	0.54
note-taking device	3	0.54
e-ink screen	3	0.53
standard marker	3	0.53
great device	3	0.52
world’s thinnest tablet	3	0.52
subscription service	3	0.52
weeks of use	3	0.52
feel of writing	3	0.52
google chrome extension	3	0.52
extra tips	3	0.52
additional cost	3	0.51
sheet music	3	0.51
regular marker	3	0.51
meeting notes	3	0.51
remarkable cloud	3	0.51
subscription fee	3	0.51
samsung galaxy tab s	3	0.51
chrome plugin	3	0.51
new features	3	0.51
gb of internal storage	3	0.51
remarkable device	3	0.51
built-in eraser	3	0.51
bottom line	3	0.51
onedrive integration	3	0.51
grey polymer weave	3	0.51
full refund	3	0.51
remarkable account	3	0.50
screen sharing	3	0.50
calligraphy pen	3	0.50
ghz wi-fi	3	0.50
pen types	3	0.50
original remarkable	3	0.67
stylus-sensitive layer	2	0.71
remarkable’s own cloud storage	2	0.69
electronic writing tablet	2	0.65
touch layer	2	0.60
only tablet	2	0.58
customer support team	2	0.57
onyx boox note air	2	0.57
so-called marker	2	0.56

You missed it! This sale is over! Click here to see the entire collection of ebooks at Cutting for Business.

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Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Chhhrrriiissstttiiinnnneeeee, happy birthday to me.

Yep! You may not have known, but today is my birthday! This year, I’m offering my entire collection of craft business ebooks in a (never-done-before-and-won’t-happen-anytime-soon-again) bundle!

What’s Included

Diving In: 30 Days to Start Your Silhouette or Cricut Business ($20)

Diving Deeper: 30 Days to Grow Your Silhouette or Cricut Business ($20)

15 Home Parties to Host with Your Silhouette or Cricut ($20)

Pinterest Boot Camp ($10)

Instagram Boot Camp ($10)

Etsy Shop Boot Camp ($10)

Regularly priced for $90, pick up your set for $50.

Of course, since my birthday only happens once per year, you have to be fast. This deal ends at midnight tonight (1-22-21).

Love crafting and free stuff? Me, too! Cutting for Business has nearly 500 free commercial use SVG cut files. To download them, visit each page and download them in the green box.

Free Commercial Use SVG Cut Files

New Year

Valentine’s Day

Love & Wedding

St. Patrick’s Day

Easter

Spring & Gardening

Patriotic

Summer & Vacation

Outdoors

Pets

Home

Family

Birthday

Coffee

Wine

Crafting

Small Business

Motivational

School & Graduation

Sports

Cancer Awareness

Halloween

Fall

Thanksgiving

Winter

Christmas

Miscellaneous

Have some extra free time? If you are like most craft business owners, you’ll got some extra time right now. Rather than spend it binge watching tv or aimlessly scrolling through social media, I’ve rounded up 30 things you can learn right now that will benefit your business in the future. 

30 Things to Learn Now to Help Your Craft Business Later

1. Product Photography.
2.  
3. Font Design.
4.  

After each All Things Silhouette Conference I put together a slideshow to show off pictures I’ve snapped throughout the weekend. Over the years, I’ve taken a lot of photos of the conference. This year, instead of capturing the conference as a whole – I set out to capture the moments. The hard work put into the setup of the conference, the incredible amount of knowledge each instructor brings, the joy of attendees when they’ve won something, and much more.

All Things Silhouette Conference in Pictures – June 2019

Setup

Vendor Hall is one of the most popular areas of the whole conference. What most attendees might not realize is that it takes hours and lots of hands to set up each booth.

Richard Bloedow, from sewingmachine.com, pushes a cart full of vinyl for sale.

Peggy, an ATS staff member and Craft Chameleon staffer, works on last minute details before registration opens.

Vendors unpack boxes and boxes of goods to be sold during the conference.

Lisa, an ATS staff member, saves boxes from toppling off a luggage cart during setup.

Lycia, an ATS staff member and blogger at Caught by Design, organizes entries for the t-shirt contest.

Instructors and Classes

If you ever find yourself in need of some technical help in Silhouette Studio – track down Cindy Eckhoff from Smart Sillhouette. She used to work in Silhouette’s customer service department and knows her way around Silhouette Studio better than most.

There is nothing better than hands on instruction. Here, Julie Huggins, from Sew Craft N’Spired Creations, walks attendees through creating a reverse canvas.

Lisa Potts, of The Rhinestone World, talks rhinestone related products with a conference attendee.

Melissa Viscount, from Silhouette School, demonstrates Foil Quill on a Cameo 3.

Mags Bonham, from Really Unique Creations, talks using polymer clay to create jewelry with the Silhouette Curio with an attendee.

Lori Whitlock, from Lori Whitlock, teaches how to design cards during a session.

Cindy Pope discussing using a Curio to make artisan style jewelry.

Ashley, from Specialty Materials, answers questions about their products.

The Live Stream

I wasn’t at the last conference when they started doing a question and answer live stream right from the conference. I was thoroughly impressed with Heat Press Nation who set up and hosted the panel. Participants in the panel included: Jared Barbosa (Heat Press Nation), Spencer Livingston (Silhouette), Terri Johnson (Terri Johnson Creates), Lori Whitlock (Lori Whitlock), Mandy Graham (Sparkleberry Ink), and Joe Piazza (Siser North America).

Shopping

No matter how many times I passed the Sparkleberry Ink booth, they were always busy checking out customers.

Vendors stayed busy while shoppers received raffle tickets for every $50 they spent in Vendor Hall.

Being able to ask for recommendations from vendors is invaluable to attendees. Plus, their excitement is contagious!

Upcoming Product Sneak Peeks

Ben, from Silhouette, shows off the prototype of the Silhouette Cameo 4 – hopefully releasing Fall of 2019.

The Silhouette team also had the prototype of the Silhouette Alta 2 on hand to look at.

The Giveaways and Prizes

The prizes for this conference were amazing. From Cameo 3’s to a presale Cameo 4 and a year long subscription to the Silhouette Design Store along with baskets and bags full of products.

Here, Terri gets some help from Sarah Cannon, Silhouette, pulling tickets out to give away prizes.

Terri Johnson may be the guru behind the conference, but her husband Frank can be seen doing anything and everything anyone needs. From driving a golf cart shuttle in the rain to moving supplies from room to room he was everywhere – all the time! Here, he plays security to the raffle tickets.

If you go to a conference in the future, remember this: The more you buy – the more chances you have to win great prizes.

There it is, my favorite moments from the June All Things Silhouette Conference. Interested in going to the next one? Sign up at this link for the November 2019 conference.

See other recaps on previous conferences at this link.

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Looking for some new customers in your Silhouette or Cricut craft business and don’t have a large budget? You can usually drum up some extra exposure for your smallbusiness if you add coupon