Welcome MamaCheez!
There are other glass engravers on the forum. Here are previous threads you may enjoy:
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=3894
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=7650
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=8130
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=9410
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?p=93787
The process of hand engraving metal is usually thought of as cutting by shearing the metal with a single pointed graver. Metal and glass can be ground (where the material isn't "cut" but is ground away with a an abrasive like diamond on a rotary bur), however the nature of this method it isn't possible to achieve the same level of detail as a single point graver. A good example of metal being hand engraved with a graver is to look close at the portrait on paper currency. There is longer definition of what hand engraving with a graver is along with photos at this page link:
www.engravingschool.com
Tools for hand engraving with a graver can be done with or without aided power. Here is a thread about manual push engraving: Inexpensive way to give it a try
http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=4