Worth The Wait: A journey begins Sebastian Style

Worth The Wait: A journey begins Sebastian Style

by | Jul 13, 2023 | Uncategorized

A Blast from the Past: Rediscovering an Old Idea

There are moments when a suggestion or an idea might not seem feasible at first glance. Back in 2016, when I had just started dipping my toes into the 3D design world, I was looking for ideas to sharpen my skills. My 3D printing community was always there, suggesting their vibrant and creative thoughts. One suggestion that caught my attention was from Chris. He thought of the fantastic idea of creating a model of Sebastian the Crab from Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. Not just a model, though, but a functional piece that could double as a toothbrush holder. At that time, the complexity of Sebastian’s design and the limitations of my abilities and the available 3D printing technology made me hold off from committing to this ambitious project. I was uncertain and afraid of failure.

A New Chapter: It’s Time to Make a Splash

Fast forward to 2023, there’s been a whirlwind of changes. I took a pause to nurture my family, honed my design skills, and reignited my bond with the 3D printing and art communities. Meanwhile, 3D printing technology has seen dramatic advancements. And Chris? He is now a fantastic designer himself, a crucial part of the Inspyr3d team (if you don’t know who they are, you should check them out). Reflecting on our shared journey, I realized it’s high time to circle back to Chris’s ambitious project idea from years past. It’s more than just a project; it’s a tribute to his unwavering support, his belief in my abilities during those uncertain early days. It’s my way of saying ‘thank you’, a gift to him, for pushing my boundaries and encouraging me to grow in my craft. So, with a renewed spirit and excitement, I’m delighted to share that I’ve embarked on creating a 3D model of Sebastian, the charming character who won millions of hearts with his rhythmic Calypso style in Disney’s timeless classic, ‘The Little Mermaid’.”

Stay Tuned for More Undersea Adventures

Sebastian’s model is still in progress, and while I’ve printed a prototype, there’s more work to be done. I’m thrilled about the idea of painting him, bringing this beloved character to life in all his vibrant glory. In the end, this model isn’t just a decorative piece; Sebastian will be a functional toothbrush holder, or perhaps a home for your stylus or pen. It’s functional art, a bathroom decoration, a piece of childhood nostalgia, and most importantly, a tribute to Chris’s creative vision.

I hope Chris feels that his wait was worth it. Stay tuned for updates on this undersea adventure. The sea of creativity is calling us!

click the image below to go to the project page.

Airbrush Antics to Vegimals Triumph

Airbrush Antics to Vegimals Triumph

by | Jul 7, 2023 | Uncategorized

It all started with an airbrush. A shiny new tool and a spectrum of paints lay before me. The Vegimals, were primed and ready to dive into a whirlpool of color. Little did I know that this expedition into model painting would become a tale of adventure, resilience, and unexpected lessons.

My airbrush and I began on common ground. There’s a unique camaraderie that forms when one is about to embark on a fresh journey. The various greens for the Vegimals’ uniforms were the first hues to grace their surface. We had a few hiccups due to my adventurous experimentation with thinner, but a few extra coats worked their magic. So far, so good.

The faces of our veggie-creature companions were next. Turnip’s yellow-white hue went on smooth as butter. It was during this phase that I had an epiphany – doing the heads first would’ve been far more efficient. But as they say, every journey has its detours, and every detour brings a new perspective.

Next in line was Codish’s radiant pink. A gorgeous color, but one that decided to rebel. It began a tug-of-war with the airbrush, leading to a blockade that refused to let the paint flow consistently. My airbrush seemed to be on strike, and I was left contemplating my next move.

So, I decided to switch gears and revert to the old-school charm of manual brushing. A humble paintbrush from my children’s art set, slightly frayed and quite evidently loved, became my new ally in this chromatic quest. A bit of grooming, and it was battle-ready.

The entire process was more than just a painting job. It was about adapting, overcoming hurdles, and learning. Every challenge was an opportunity to grow. And in the end, I emerged with a set of Vegimals that not only sported their new vibrant looks but also represented my evolution as a creator.

Stay tuned to witness the final reveal of these vibrant, hand-painted Vegimals. Their journey from digital models to tangible, painted figures has been one filled with color, chaos, and creativity!

in the meantime, if you want to Print and even paint your own versions, they are Free on thangs from now until the 13th July!

Click the image below to download FREE until July 13th

A Colourful Adventure Begins

A Colourful Adventure Begins

by | Jul 6, 2023 | Uncategorized

In the world of 3D printing, once you’ve sculpted your model, the next big thrill is watching it come to life. But our journey with the Octonauts Vegimals doesn’t end there. These quirky half-vegetable, half-animal characters are now all printed out and waiting for their next transformation – a pop of colour!

That’s right, we’re diving in to the world of model painting! I’ve got my paints lined up, and a shiny new airbrush sitting on my desk. While I’m familiar with the world of 3D printing, I’m a novice in the art of airbrushing. But, as we’ve learned from the Octonauts, it’s all about exploration, adventure, and learning!

So, in the spirit of the Vegimals themselves, who are never afraid of a challenge and are always up for a good laugh, I’m embracing this painting expedition with open arms and a sense of fun. I’m not sure how it’ll turn out, but that’s half the excitement, right?

So, as Captain Barnacles often says, “Octonauts, to your stations!” It’s time for me to take up my paintbrush, venture into the unexplored territory, and bring our beloved Vegimals to life in full colour.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the updated, painted Vegimals coming soon. I’m so excited to share the results of this colourful journey with you all!

Stay tuned, and remember to keep creating, exploring, and igniting that spark within!

#Octonauts #3DPrinting #ModelPainting #Vegimals #SparkyCreations

Sculpting Smiles with Octonauts Vegimals: A Journey into the Deep Blue of Creativity

Sculpting Smiles with Octonauts Vegimals: A Journey into the Deep Blue of Creativity

by | Jul 5, 2023 | Uncategorized

As many of you know, I’m not just a 3D artist, but also a proud Mum to two eager adventurers who share a love for all things undersea – especially when it comes to the Octonauts and their cute, quirky, and utterly delightful Vegimals.

For the uninitiated, the Octonauts is an animated series that submerges young viewers into the fascinating world of marine biology. Among their ranks are the Vegimals, a lovable bunch of half-vegetable, half-animal helpers who add a splash of humour and cheer to the Octonauts’ undersea adventures.

As a parent, it’s always a delight to see your kids’ faces light up in fascination. When I first set out to 3D print some Octonaut figures for my little ones, I found that existing models didn’t quite capture the charm of the show’s characters. Then, an idea bubbled up: why not create my own Octonauts Vegimals 3D models? And so, with Turnip and Barrot as my starting point, I ventured into creating our very own undersea crew.

The reactions I received upon presenting the first two Vegimal test prints to my boys were beyond words – fascination, joy, and a flurry of questions filled the air. “wow, are these the Vegimals!?” “How did you do it, Mum?” “Can you make the rest of the Vegimals?” “can we paint them?” Seeing their eyes light up with such excitement was all the encouragement I needed to add more members to our 3D printed Vegimal crew.

In many ways, the antics of my children and the Vegimals mirror each other, providing a constant source of laughter and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Watching the world through their eyes, igniting sparks of curiosity, and fueling their passion for creativity are some of the most rewarding aspects of being a parent and an artist.

With every new Vegimal model, the eagerness of my boys grows – from painting their unique Vegimal figures to expressing a keen interest in learning to sculpt. Their enthusiasm is a powerful reminder that the world of 3D printing is more than just bringing characters to life; it’s about creating experiences, stimulating curiosity, and, most importantly, crafting memories.

So, here’s to more undersea adventures, Octonauts-inspired creations, and most importantly, shared smiles with our loved ones. Remember, with creativity and 3D printing, we’re not just making objects; we’re sculpting joy and wonder, one Vegimal at a time.

Until next time, keep those 3D printers humming, keep exploring, and as the Octonauts would say, “Explore! Rescue! Protect!”

Read More

click here to learn more about the project

Penguin King has arrived

Penguin King has arrived

by | Jun 23, 2023 | 3d models

Last week we earned $50 USD for charity from the Thangs leaderboard, Lets see if we can do it again! 

This week’s effort begins with none other than the ever confident leader , directing his troops from the front lines completely sure in their ability to overcome any challenge! I hope you enjoy the hilarity of these little guys as much as I do! They come across as fierce and formidable, unstoppable and powerful, but in execution they are just small and cute, throwing snowballs that crash softly against their enemies causing little to no damage at all. They are unwilling to concede to this reality, their characters have a confidence and moxie that I truly enjoy.

Last weeks troops have been added to the Patreon/ thangs membership rewards so all SparkyFace5 supporters can access them any time and build a great army! I am currently keeping both platforms running, so if you prefer one over you get to choose.

Lastly I’d love to hear any feedback you guys have on the Thangs experience from your side. For me it has many advantages over Patreon and a few frustrating aspects and I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.