🎄✨ Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! From my family of playful otters to yours, may your holidays be filled with joy, laughter, and all the cozy moments. Let’s cherish these times and make merry memories. 🎅🦦
And with 2024 just around the corner, here’s to a year filled with the joy of new prints, the spark of creative ideas, and a whole lot of fun!
#MerryChristmas #OtterlyJoyful #HolidayCheer #FamilyMoments
Greetings, fellow Pokémon and 3D printing enthusiasts! Remember the rush of finding that rare Pokémon card or catching an elusive Pokémon in the wild? Well, I’ve embarked on a new journey, and I’d love for you to join me.
Recently, I crafted a Sleeping Sandshrew model. A sleepy, adorable rendition of a classic Pokémon – a stark contrast to its usual alert demeanour. Though Sandshrew wasn’t my first pick in the games, the sculpted design of this curled up, snoozing critter has surely won a special place in my heart. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s available on Thangs.
Click an image below to go to download SLEEPING SANDSHREW
– What if, as a community, we embarked on a collective quest? I’m throwing down the gauntlet to fellow 3D artists: design your favourite Pokémon, but in sleep mode. Imagine an entire Pokedex of slumbering Pokémon models, ready for 3D printing! AND If we each link back to at least 2 other artist’s models it should leave a nice trail of discovery and show support for each other.
The beauty of this challenge? As 3D printing enthusiasts search for these sleepy Pokémon models, they’ll stumble upon a diverse array of talented artists within our community. It’s a win-win: a delightful treasure hunt for the printer and a great way to spotlight artists’ unique styles and contributions.
My buddy Ryan from Inspyr3D has already crafted the original trio starters catching some Zs in a pile. It’s a fantastic start! #imINSPYR3D
Click an image below to download Sleeping Starter Pokemon.
Let’s reinvent the world of Pokémon in 3D form, one sleeping creature at a time! Share your designs, link to fellow artists, and let’s make this the most epic 3D printing Pokémon quest ever.
Want to see more? Check out the project page which I will be keeping updated as more sleeping pokemon join the pile!
#3DPrinting #SleepingPokemonChallenge #PokemonNostalgia #CollabChallenge
Life is often full of unexpected twists and turns, even in areas where we least expect it, such as a seemingly simple 3D printing project. In my latest creation, “The Otter Family,” I found myself grappling with such unforeseen challenges that ultimately culminated in a uniquely enriching journey.
This 3D printing project began as an innocent endeavour—a cute otter inspired by Finding Dory as a heart-warming surprise for my husband who adores these playful animals. It seemed straightforward enough, but as I embarked on the design process, I was met with an unforeseen torrent of frustration.
As the project progressed, each shape seemed off, every alteration fell short, and even after five iterations, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of dissatisfaction. My morale dwindled, my confidence wavered, and despite others praising the work-in-progress model, I found myself overwhelmed by the glaring flaws I perceived. We all have days like this right?
In need of a reprieve, I took a break from the project and devoted a full day to my family. Unplugged and offline, we spent a refreshing day filled with bike rides, tree climbing, a quest for banana bread (there was none to be found anywhere! Apparently we are in the middle of the great banana bread shortage of 2023!), we explored the local shopping centre, tried the massage chairs, got haircuts and more. This brief pause served as the rejuvenating breath of fresh air I didn’t realize I needed.
Re-energized, I returned to my project with fresh eyes and a new perspective. This time, instead of a lonely otter, I saw an opportunity for a family. My family, loving and supportive, mirrored in these cute, squishy otters. In the face of frustration and stress, a beautiful transformation took place, and “The Otter Family” was born. Each otter in this model symbolizes resilience, transformation, growth, and most importantly, the boundless love within a family.
Today, I am excited to share this journey and creation, born from challenge and love, with you all. This supportless model is available for download via thangs.
Read more: Click the image below to go to the project page
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.
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’.”
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.
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!
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
