From 1's & 0's to lasers, crystals & a whole new obsession

After spending most of my working life as a network engineer on the security side, I finally decided at 64 that I had chased enough 1's and 0's for one lifetime. So, I retired.

At first, retirement was exactly what you would expect — no alarms, no emergency calls, no mysterious network problems, and thankfully, nobody asking me why the internet was down. It was great. For about a year.

Then I started getting that familiar feeling that I needed something to keep my brain busy. I figured I should probably find a hobby before I started reorganizing the garage for the tenth time. That's when I stumbled across laser engraving. And something clicked. Actually, quite a few things clicked.

Before long, I was researching lasers, materials, settings, engraving techniques, crystals, tumblers, metal cards and just about anything else I could put under a laser. So much for a relaxing hobby. And that is how Burn Notice Laser Engraving came to life.

Today, I'm using the xTool F2 Ultra UV, which is capable of engraving a huge variety of materials and doing something that still amazes me every time I see it — creating detailed 3D images inside K9 optical crystal. Not on the surface. Actually inside the crystal.

I currently have a growing selection of K9 crystal products on the way, including illuminated crystal keychains, crystal balls, cubes, rectangular crystal blocks, trophies and awards in a variety of sizes. And crystal is only part of what I'm experimenting with. I'm constantly trying new materials, testing new designs and learning new techniques for personalized gifts, keepsakes, business products and custom engraving.

The funny thing is, I thought retirement meant I was finished troubleshooting. Apparently not. Now instead of asking, “Why isn't the network talking to the server?” I find myself asking things like, “Why did that engraving come out lighter than the last one?” Same problem-solving brain. Much cooler toys.

Burn Notice is still growing, and I'm learning something new almost every day. That is probably what I enjoy most about it. Every project is a little different, every material behaves differently, and there is always another idea to try.

So here I am — retired from networking, playing with lasers, engraving things into crystal and pretty much anything (including chocolate), and somehow turning what was supposed to be a hobby into a small business. I guess retirement didn't quite go according to plan. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Based in the Townline Hill area of Abbotsford, I look forward to helping bring your engraving ideas to life. Welcome to Burn Notice Laser Engraving.