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Meet Crystal Aguila, owner of Riley Black Designs, Keychain Thingies, The Riley Black Project laser podcast, and Silhouette for Lasers course instructor. I asked Crystal to tell us more about her life as a business owner! I recently moved to Sebastian, Florida (10 minutes from my laser bestie, Heather Lynn!) with my husband John, and two young boys - JR (6), and Jaxson (2). We love spending time as a family - coloring, playing Uno, being silly and having fun! Crystal has loved crafts and crafting her whole life. Art was always her favorite class in school and she jumped at any opportunity to be crafty. However, she never thought of it as a business - always only thought of crafting as just a hobby. I loved doing it but I never thought I could make it a REAL job, not just a side hustle, but one that actually paid the bills! Fast forward to when she was pregnant with her first son, Crystal knew she wanted to make him funny onesies, but didn’t want to pay the price tag that came with them! So, she bought a Silhouette Cameo and, before she knew it, she was making shirts for all of her friends and family! She soon realized that making shirts, while fun, was not her passion... something was missing... because she started to dread getting orders. My husband and I were planning on a big move across the country to be closer to his family and I was leaving my job of 12 years in Oil and Gas accounting. I had just graduated with a degree in Finance, yet had ZERO desire to make that my profession. I WANTED TO MAKE SH*T! Haha. This was my chance. Once we got settled, I purchased a Glowforge and worked my butt off! We went from a dual income household to solely living off my husband’s income, which was below the state’s median income numbers, in expensive South Florida. We were broke. After four years and many sleepless nights, failed projects, tears, second-guessing, and tons of self-doubt, Crystal can proudly say her business is as real as it can be... and profitable! Crystal has a successful Etsy store, website, online design course, and a laser podcast with her husband, John, called "The Riley Black Project" (which just passed 35k audio downloads last month)! With Crystal's expanding business, her Glowforge just wasn't keeping up, so she decided to upgrade to an Aeon Laser USA MIRA9 in 2020. I upgraded to a MIRA9 three years ago and have more work/ideas than I can keep up with. My favorite thing to hear is “you made that?!” Huge thanks to my husband and AMAZING laser homies who knew I could do it, even when my brain told me I couldn’t. I literally would not be here without them! Crystal's customers are a mix of other laser owners, her friends & family, and word of mouth. Crystal and John's podcast, Keychain Thingies® , and her online design course, Silhouette for Lasers, takes up most of her time, but when she's not serving the laser community, she absolutely LOVE making tumblers, cake toppers, over-the-top baby milestone props, and keychains (of course)! How did Crystal come across the LensDigital brand and decide to become a PiBurn user? I found the PiBurn after hearing all of my close lasers friend RAVE about it! Tumblers were intimidating to me, especially on the cheaper roller style rotaries, but all I kept hearing was how easy the PiBurn was to use - and how FAST they were making money while doing it! I'm pretty sure Heather Lynn bullied me into finally taking the jump, and the rest is history. For future LensDigital purchases, I do have my eye on that Vortex Table - it's so damn cool! Crystal's one piece of advice is to stay true to yourself. Yes, she loves to make signs and designs, but she also really loves to be extra, over-the-top, and make people laugh! She believes that if you love doing what you do, it will show in your work. As soon as she stopped chasing what she thought would sell and started to make the items she wanted to make, she found success. My unlimited freedom to create and showing my boys they can do whatever they put their mind to is my biggest motivation. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, why not spend it doing something you love, for the ones you love. Looking for products and/or designs that are "Made with Love & a Little Sass"? Check out the Keychain Thingies® website, subscribe to her social channels, and tune in to The Riley Black Project weekly, wherever you listen to your podcasts! Riley Black Designs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rileyblackdesigns Riley Black Designs TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rileyblack41 Silhouette for Lasers FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/silhouetteforlasers Silhouette for Lasers Online Course: https://www.silhouetteforlasers.com The Riley Black Project Community FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therileyblackproject The Riley Black Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therileyblackproject The Riley Black Project YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RileyBlackDesigns

I was thrilled to learn that Royce from The Hill Country CNC & Woodworking loved the PiBurn so much he even wrote a blog post about it! It's a great read: Why I chose the PiBurn 4.0 over the 4 Wheel Rotating Axis. https://hillcountrycnc.com/why-i-chose-the-piburn-4 Royce has tried other rotaries. But there were a few areas that he felt needed improvement. He decided to invest in an upgrade. And it changed the game for him!   Give him a visit and give his blog a read! It's worth it. He has great content on CNC machining, Calipoers, Hat Patches and even tax deductions for your business. Read The Article https://hillcountrycnc.com/hill-country-blog    

Dear Friends, We're absolutely thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Thunder Laser Canada, a leading Canadian laser company known for their dedication to quality, customer service, and the maker community! We're coming together to make your laser journey smoother, more enjoyable, and more successful. Now, our PiBurn Rotary, a leading-edge laser rotary attachement, will be available for purchase directly from the Thunder Laser Canada website. >>>>>>>>>> https://www.thunderlaser.ca/lens-digital-official.../ >>>>>>>>>> This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to serving you better. We understand that your laser projects are more than just tasks - they're your passion, your business, and your craft. And we're here to make it easier, more accessible, and more rewarding than ever. At LensDigital, we strive for excellence and innovation. The PiBurn and PiBurn Grip are the product of extensive research, innovation, R&D, and customer feedback. Now, combined with Thunder Laser Canada's reach and reputation, we're able to serve you, our dear Canadian customers, on a new level of convenience and reliability. Not to mention the cost savings on shipping and customs! Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being a part of our journey! Your support drives us and the whole laser community forward. Together, let's make laser magic happen!

Meet Kristin Williamson, the owner of 307 Cups, a design business that specializes in creating unique and personalized tumblers! Kristin’s work is known for its attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship. She has a passion for creating beautiful and unique designs, making each product she creates truly one-of-a-kind. We asked Kristin to tell us a bit about herself, to get to know her a bit more!   "My name is Kristin Williamson and I currently live in beautiful Victor, ID just on the other side of the Teton Mountains with my husband (DJ), 7 year old daughter (Aubree), and our Boxer puppy (Maverick). I started my own business in 2017 looking for a way to channel my ADHD and stress from my day job. It has quickly grown in to my now full-time gig. I have a passion for all things vintage and a serious obsession for turquoise jewelry which I get from my Granny. [My family and I] love to get out in nature and camp, ride dirt bikes, paddle board and hang out at the lake. We are originally from Jackson, WY which is a hop-skip and a jump away and is what my business is named after (307 is the Wyoming area code). I enjoy playing Co-Ed softball and helping with a Countrywide Boxer Rescue group and fostering Boxers looking for a new home. In January 2023 I left my government job to pursue my laser, epoxy and design business full time while also homeschooling our daughter. It has been the most life changing, and at the beginning, scariest decision I have ever made but I am so glad I did as it has been the most rewarding experience." Kristin’s laser journey originally started with handmade epoxy cups. After working in a high-stress government job, she needed a creative outlet to decompress after work, and found designing and creating art for others to be extremely therapeutic. After 6 years in the epoxy cup world, Kristin started looking into laser engraving and knew right away it would be her next business venture. In Fall of 2021, she ordered a MIRA7 from Aeon Laser USA. Her machine arrived in May of 2022, and she hit the ground running! "It has been a whirlwind ever since. I dove right in trying to drill down engraved cups and creating one of a kind designs for my customers. Already having a vast knowledge of creating cup templates and the design software certainly helped propel my business to the next level. While I still make a handful of epoxy cups a month, laser engraving is now my primary business." About 307 Cups: The majority of Kristin’s customer base is from her previous epoxy following on social media. Most of her orders are received through the 307 Cups website and are driven there by either Kristin’s Instagram or TikTok accounts. "I have a handful of items in a few local boutiques and I participate in several vendor fairs over the summer and holiday months. On average I take on approximately 20-30 custom orders a month along with listing ready to sell items on my website every week." It’s not all about the tumblers though! In addition to the amazing tumbler creations Kristin creates, she also sells custom keychains, car charms, cutting boards, wood signs, epoxy and acrylic earrings, epoxy pens and much more! Like most of us these days, Kristin has found social media interactions to be a vital part of her business and she enjoys speaking with customers and creating one of a kind treasures for them. Why did Kristin choose a PiBurn as her rotary choice? "After researching for months on not only my laser but a quality rotary device the PiBurn kept popping up. There was never a horrible review and the community that had been built around the product was enticing. I did not know much at that point about what all went into engraving a tumbler and I hadn't even received my laser yet but I did know that I wanted a PiBurn rotary. I knew I wanted to have the support of the company as well and the helpfulness of the group community to help me along my engraving and learning journey. I knew it would be vital to my success. I ordered my PiBurn grip last month and every single assumption I had about the quality and support was exceeded. It is such an amazing product and has made my business so much more efficient. I cannot say enough about the product but also the people behind it. Len, Stan, Mike, the entire group community are why I was able to take it out of the package and have it up and efficiently running right away. I specifically would like to thank Robin Faro for her help in me deciding to go with the PiBurn Grip over other rotaries and offering herself up for any help I may need. She has been such an amazing support for this community and it has been greatly appreciated." Kristin’s greatest inspiration is her daughter, Aubree, and where she lives. She describes her daughter as wild and free-spirited and is constantly inspired by her to take more risks and try new things. Living in the beautiful city of Victor, ID also provides a creative flow to get Kristin’s brainstorming underway, when trying to create new designs or products. She lives among many creative minds in her community and is inspired everyday by everything from the murals on the side of local buildings to the hand-carved log statues at the local park in the summer. "Lastly, I am inspired by my husband’s hard work and determination and his ability to support me through all my business ventures. He pushes me to be my best and to try things I would normally never consider. Without him, I wouldn't be able to take the risks I have and to be successful in running my own business." Family is very important to Kristin and her favorite projects have been those that focus on preserving parts of her family history for the future generations. Handwritten notes turned into signs, creating photo silhouettes, engraving recipes on cutting boards, and memorial photo engravings are some of Kristin’s favorite things to make, are her most treasured works of art. What is Kristin’s advice for others just starting out? "My biggest piece of advice for anyone looking into getting either a laser engraver or a PiBurn is to start researching how to use it now. You do not have to wait until you get your laser or the PiBurn to learn the ins and outs of how to use it. There are so many helpful posts and videos out there. This helped me jump right in when I got both my laser and the PiBurn and I hit the ground running. I have seen so many posts where people have these amazing tools and leave them in the box for months out of fear of something new. I am telling you there is nothing to be afraid of and you can never get better at something if you don't jump in. Will you mess up some tumblers? Yes! Will you also learn what not to do the next time? Also Yes. Only you can make yourself better at your craft and you have to be willing to learn and make mistakes along the way. Take all the advice and information that is out there and use it. Learn from everyone in the community and, in turn, use that to help others." We’re right there with you, Kristin! There’s nothing like being a part of this amazing laser community and we can’t wait to see where the future takes you and 307 Cups! Check out Kristin’s social media pages below, give her a follow - and, if you’re shopping, check out her website! You won’t be disappointed! 307 Cups Website: https://www.307cups.com 307 Cups Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/307cups 307 Cups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@307cups Contact Kristin via email: kristinwilliamson@live.com

We are excited to announce that LensDigital has partnered with Laguna Laser to offer our mutual customers our market-leading Rotary Attachments for Laguna laser machines - the PiBurn 4.0 and PiBurn Grip. PiBurn is a rotary attachment that works seamlessly with Laguna Laser's high-quality laser machines to provide customers with a superior laser engraving experience. The PiBurn V4 is an innovative roller rotary designed to simplify the engraving process and improve accuracy, making it ideal for a wide range of objects, including tumblers, mugs, and wine glasses. The PiBurn Grip is a revolutionary chuck-style rotary designed and manufactured by LensDigital. With PiBurn Grip, customers benefit from faster framing speeds, increased precision, and incredible versatility. The Grip will engrave anything from drumsticks to dog bowls to even baseball bats. Additionally, PiBurn's intuitive design makes it easy for users of all skill levels to engrave intricate designs and patterns on almost any imaginable object. Stan Altshuller (Partner, LensDigital) was quoted: At LensDigital, we are committed to our customers' success and to providing them with the best accessories for their lasers. We believe that our partnership with Laguna Laser and the introduction of PiBurn to their impressive line-up of laser machines is a significant step towards this goal. Len Karchevsky (Partner, LensDigital) was quoted: Both Laguna Laser and LensDigital are confident that our mutual customers will find this new product to be a valuable addition to their laser arsenal, and we look forward to continuing to offer cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Which Laser Rotary Should You Get? Here is a question we get a lot: With all the options out there, which laser rotary should I get? At LensDigital, we understand the importance of choosing the right equipment to ensure the success of your laser engraving business. That's why we offer different laser rotaries designed to cater to a variety of customer needs. In this post, we'll compare two of our popular products - the PiBurn V and the PiBurn Grip 2 - as well as introduce you to our innovative multi-purpose rotary, the PiBurn Omni 2. Types of Laser Rotaries: Chuck and Roller Styles There are two styles of laser rotaries: Chuck and Roller styles. The PiBurn Grip 2 is a chuck-style rotary, while the PiBurn V is a roller. The PiBurn Omni 2 is Both! Roller rotaries rely on friction to spin your object. To increase the friction between your cup and the motorized wheel, the PiBurn V uses an innovative clamp. It works great for most items and is very easy to operate. Chuck rotaries do not rely on friction, rather they firmly grasp the object with chuck jaws. The PiBurn Grip is a brand-new chuck rotary designed and built just for laser engravers. Want more info on Chuck vs Roller Rotary Attachments? Read this. What do they look like and how much do they cost? PiBurn V: The Classic Roller - Starts at $1,049. This is a user friendly yet powerful rotary that uses motorized wheels and a clamp to rotate your objects securely so that your laser can engrave on it. PiBurn Grip2: The Chuck-style laser rotary made for laser engraving - Starts at $1,439 This rotary has a chuck system with interchangeable jaws. It is a bit more complex to use than the PiBurn but it is extremely precise and versatile. You can swap out the jaws to accommodate many items. PiBurn Omni: Best of both worlds - Chuck AND Roller (Two rotaries in one) Starts at $1,979 This rotary has BOTH roller wheels and the chuck jaw systems AND they both come with their own dedicated motors so you always have a back-up. Customers love the versatility this rotary gives them. Pros and Cons of Each Style Laser Rotary PiBurn V (Roller Style): PRO: Ideal for simple straight tumblers, large batches of identical tumblers, and beginners in laser engraving with rotaries. The PiBurn V is easy to use and allows for future expansion. You can add the Grip2 Addon later, giving you the OMNI. CON: Since the PiBurn V relies on friction, it may slip with items that have a very heavy handle. You cannot frame at high speeds. You cannot use the "scoring method" to engrave. Full wraps are tricky to get perfect. PiBurn Grip 2 (Chuck Style): PRO: Perfect for engraving odd-shaped items like pens, rings, and dog bowls, the PiBurn Grip offers advanced users precision and no-slip engraving for full wraps and large-handled mugs. You can "score" engrave on items. There are many different types of removable jaws to fit any object. Do full wraps with ease! CON: More of a learning curve to master. A complex system with interchangeable jaws and moving parts. Adjustments may take more time than the PiBurn V. PiBurn OMNI 2 (Both chuck and roller) PRO: You have the ability to use BOTH roller and chuck systems. You have two motors, so like having two separate rotaries your business has a backup. CON: The Omni is fairly heavy and bulky for smaller laser machines. It has a larger footprint that other rotaries Introducing the PiBurn Omni 2 Laser Rotary Attachment If you're looking for the best of both worlds, the PiBurn OMNI 2 is an innovative multi-purpose rotary combining Chuck and Roller systems into one state of the art rotary attachment. The Omni 2 consists of the PiBurn V roller and then the Grip 2. It builds on the success of the original OMNI and takes engraving to a whole new level. The OMNI 2 is like having two rotaries in one. It will let you handle anything from high volume production to ad hoc and odd shaped specialty items like rolling pins and dog bowls. Who Should Choose Which Rotary? PiBurn V: Ideal for those starting out, running simple tumblers or large batches, and wanting to ease into rotary work with the option to expand later. PiBurn Grip 2: Recommended for advanced users who need the precision of a chuck for scoring and engraving odd-shaped items. PiBurn Omni 2: Best for those who want the ease and speed of a roller, the power and precision of a chuck, and the ability to quickly swap between the two systems. Upgrading Your PiBurn V If you purchase the PiBurn V and later decide to add the Grip functionality, you can do so! This is a popular option for those starting out with rotary work and looking to expand their capabilities in the future. What if I have a Galvo Laser like a Fiber, UV or CO2 Galvo? Just for Galvo applications we have a special rotary that helps you engrave on ANY Galvo style machine. We call it the Gavlo Grip Starting at $799 To help make sense of all of these options, Emily, That Mom With A Laser has made a great explainer video: https://youtu.be/W_02voTJS7Y?si=JIGXt51cFP9r2kz3 Still have questions? We want to hear them! Join us at PiBurn labs, our online community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/piburn Ready to take the plunge? Grab yourself a PiBurn! At LensDigital, we're committed to helping you make the right choice for your laser engraving business. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, our range of rotary options ensures you'll find the perfect fit for your needs. Consider the PiBurn 4.0, PiBurn Grip, or PiBurn Omni to help take your engraving projects to new heights.  Happy PiBurning!

Last weekend, the team at LensDigital met in Dallas/Fort Worth Texas, to participate as a vendor during The Next Level Laser Conference, hosted by Mark Collier from Big Blue Laser Designs and Will Louie from Crazy Laser Dad! Over 200 makers were in attendance for a 3-day weekend of learning, networking, sharing knowledge, and having a great time doing so! The weekend flew by, but we wanted to make sure we gave a huge shoutout to the entire NLLC team for throwing one heck of a conference! It was a blast getting to meet so many members of the laser world AND so many of our very own LensDigital customers. Our hearts are SO full and we can't wait to see what is next! Keep up the hustle, PiBurners... the sky is the limit! 😎🦋

Let’s celebrate our latest PiBurner Spotlight. Tabitha Richardson Owner at Laser Llama We are very excited to feature Tabitha in our latest PiBurner Spotlight! Today, we have the great honor of writing about someone who has given the greatest gift of all - to not one but two families. That of Life. About Tabitha This PiBurner Spotlight features Tabitha Richardson, owner at Laser Llama. How did she come p with that catchy name? Well, she told us that she wanted an animal in the name, and Llmas were all the rage, and come on you gotta admit, Laser Llama just rolls off the tongue! We love it. Tabitha lives in Rocklin, California. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have three wonderful kids together. Tabitha was also a surrogate for two families giving them the precious gift of life! The Laser Journey After her first surrogacy journey, she had wisely set a little money set aside and decided to buy a Glowforge. She took the plunge just 4 1/2 years ago and now has a thriving business. If you have read the PiBurner series before, you'll know what a common path this is for so many PiBurners and small business owners with lasers. It really is the "gateway" laser! Also, like Tabitha, most successful PiBurners are not afraid to save and make an investment. Rewards only come after taking measured risks. When Covid hit, she was pregnant with a second surrogate baby. She was also helping her three children with online classes and that's when her business really boomed. I with hosting online painting classes using barn quilt files from Welcome Home Custom. I found that time was precious, and I bought an 80w OMTech to help handle the demand. OMtech lasers are solid machines! Did you know that LensDigital and OMtech are partners? OMtech even sells PiBurns on their website. Later, hats become the bread and butter for my shop so I added another laser so I could cut down my time on hat patches. Why the PiBurn Rotary? When Emily Caroline posted her review of the PiBurn; I knew I needed one to step up my game. While it was a big learning curve, I was able to figure it out quickly with the support from the PiBurn community! Her Business Today Today, her shop focuses on wholesale to other businesses and fundraisers for schools and sports teams. We added the PiBurn a year ago and have been able to raise so much money for schools and teams in our community. Our customers love seeing their logos on tumblers! Businesses of every type love their logos on tumblers, and people love their names on water bottles and mugs. This is part of a huge personalization trend that powers this business to astronomical heights. Think about the 32 million US businesses that need to connect with their customers. Now also think about the 125 million families in the US that want tumblers with their names on them. That is your market! Favorite Projects on the OMTech 80W Laser Engraver and Glowforge Some of Tabitha'sfavorite laser projects are hats for the FBI (whoa!) and water bottles for a local soccer league where they raised over $700 in funds for their club! Check them out: [gallery link="file" ids="https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image15.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image16.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image8.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image10.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image11-rotated-1.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image13-rotated-1.jpeg|,https://lensdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image14.jpeg|"] Advice for people starting in the Laser Engraving business My advice for people just starting out is: Don't be afraid, and don't give up! Also, checkout YouTube for tips and tricks on using the PiBurn; you'll find so much great information plus get great ideas for projects! We couldn't agree more. There is much great content out there and so many people who want to see you succeed. You have to do your part, but always remember - you are not alone. Essential Links - Check out Tabitha on social and give her a follow Email - calaserllama@gmail.com Instagram – @calaserllama Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/calaserllama Web – laser-llama.com/ Tik-Tok - @calaserllama We hope you enjoyed this feature, and please check out Tabitha's website, and swing by PiBurn labs and ask her a question! Happy PiBurning! Len and Stan LensDigital Where Makers Succeed Your story is worth sharing too! Contact Heather to become our next PiBurner!

Engraving wine glasses has never been easier with Boss Laser and the PiBurn 4.0   Take a look at this video showing you the correct process to set up and engrave a wine glass on the PiBurn 4.0 using the Boss LS1630 Laser. [embed]https://youtu.be/1NtQBNi-Obg[/embed] The foot of the glass is between the o-rings Use both stoppers Adjust the height so its level Get the clamp nice and snug Frame Fire! Simple as that. Did you know that LensDigital has partnered with Boss Laser ? You can get your PiBurn directly from Boss, or just add one to your Boss Laser machine at checkout! Boss machines are reliable and powerful. We have two LS 1630s in our shop and just recently purchased the hybrid servo version. If you haven't already, check them out: www.BossLaser.com [gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="|"]