Get your other tools all tuned up, and do a little reading on finishing. A small unit will do for simple things, but a much higher level machine and software will allow you to make some money as well. Here's a pdf on making money with a CNC, at least, it's the way I'd go about it. But my health isn't up to learning to use one, something that clearly takes a minimum of 6 months of study and experimentation. Look up Prof. Henry's two books on CNC, that's actually a member we know as Gaffboat (Oliver Henry). Look for his posts here and his book for beginners and a book on design and signs on Amazon.
A member just posted a number of boxes he made with tops that were clearly done with a CNC. Take a look at them. Plaques are fun, but making an engraved and personalized top for a memory box looks like a good project to take on. So find some books and YouTube videos on making boxes. I think you'll really enjoy the projects you do. Share the CNC marketing advice with your wife, I think it will get her interested.
Ask questions in the CNC Forum and you'll be amazed at how much help you'll get from people who are pretty far down that road.
A member just posted a number of boxes he made with tops that were clearly done with a CNC. Take a look at them. Plaques are fun, but making an engraved and personalized top for a memory box looks like a good project to take on. So find some books and YouTube videos on making boxes. I think you'll really enjoy the projects you do. Share the CNC marketing advice with your wife, I think it will get her interested.
Ask questions in the CNC Forum and you'll be amazed at how much help you'll get from people who are pretty far down that road.