Category: Glass Awards

Sand Carved Awards

By Terrence Dehring

While at the Awards and Recognition Association trade show in Las Vegas in February, we purchased an Ikonics Imaging sand carving machine. The process used to be called sand blasting, and was limited to simple etching, but now with advanced abrasives, masking materials, and techniques, it is more commonplace to offer multidimensional sand carved effects and integrate the use of color. At the trade show, several pieces of sand carved awards were displayed with varying degrees of complexity – many looked like and indeed were, works of art.

We have offered engraved glasssand carved awards of glass and rosewood as part of product lineup for years. The engraving of glass pieces has been done using one of our laser engravers. Lasers do a pretty good job of engraving glass, but the results are not always consistent or uniform. When lasers are used to etch glass, the laser beam enters the surface of the glass, heats it up, and blasts away pieces of the glass surface. So at the microscopic level, the result is rough and is dependent on the glass itself. Glass is not a uniform product and some parts may be denser than others. This density will affect the effectiveness of the laser to etch the glass. The less dense parts will etch deeper than the more dense parts. So after laser etching, some glass areas will show through as “spots” in the etched area. Re-engraving a second time will often, but not always, etch the more dense areas.

Using a sand carver on the other hand, has a different effect. At the microscopic level the abrasive, which is not sand, but is much harder than glass, actually wears away the glass. The result is a more uniform and very smooth surface. And if you go over the same area multiple times with the abrasive, it will etch the area deeper and deeper, allowing you to achieve stunning 3 dimensional effects. Overall, sand carved awards are a superior product and we are proud to offer this technique as standard with our glass and crystal awards.

Increase Your Positive Energy

Every workplace has an energy about it. It can be positive, helpful, happy, and upbeat. Or it can be negative, grey, life-sucking, and downright depressing. You notice the feeling when you walk in. Often it is subtle, but sometimes it is very noticeable. What is your workplace like? Would you like it to be more positive? if so, you can help make it that way – Here’s how:

The energy of a place is made up of the collective energy of everyone who is present there. You are a part of your workplace environment and so you have a direct impact on the energy there. If you are more positive and upbeat, you move the needle to the positive side! As more people are happier, the needle moves even more to the positive side. Soon you can create a positive feedback loop that feeds on itself. Try this simple test: Give 3 people honest, positive complements each day. Pick 3 different people each day. At first it might be hard to think of something to say, but it will get easier each time. After doing this for a week, see if you can notice a change in the way people react to you and to each other.

If you want to take this exercise a step further, get a little “positive vibration” awardpositive vibration award for someone who exemplifies a source of positive energy. Do this each week or so. It doesn’t have to be much, just some sort of public recognition for a person with positive energy. Other people will notice and want to be recognized for their positive energy as well. You will soon see that you can have a huge positive impact on the energy of those around you!