We finally did it. We jumped on the 3D printing wagon, and honestly? It’s way better than I expected.
My hubs and I picked up an entry-level 3D printer after way too many nights of “just one more review.” We landed on the Ender-3 V3 KE 3D Printer, and so far, we’re pretty happy with it. Granted, it’s only been a week… but still. Strong start.
Learning 3D Printing = Dopamine Jackpot
I love learning new things. Give my brain a fresh obsession and it’s like chasing dopamine straight down the rabbit hole.
The software, Creality Print, was actually super easy to install, even on my Linux Mint system.
Quick note for Linux Mint folks:
Use the Flatpak and install it usingsudo. Your future self will thank you.
When I opened Creality Print for the first time, it felt like landing in a strange new world. And it was fantastic.
Falling into the 3D Printing Rabbit Hole
Once I realized there are entire repositories full of free 3D print files you can just download and use, my brain basically short-circuited.
Did I start with something simple and sensible? Of course not.
As an artist who hoards mediums like dragon treasure, I immediately went hunting for:
Cool tools
Handy gadgets
And, obviously, potential Christmas gifts
I’ve been a fiber artist for decades, mixing all kinds of techniques and materials. My hands like to stay busy. It keeps my brain calm, so I take my projects everywhere.
Which means I’ve also spent a ridiculous amount of time (and more money than I want to admit) trying to find the best way to safely lug my projects and tools around.
So when 3D printing entered the chat, my brain basically yelled:
“Oh. We’ve hit NerdVanna.”
Thingiverse: Where It All Went Down
My first stop was Thingiverse.
For a total beginner like me, it felt like they had everything. I started by searching for photography tools and instantly found a couple of gems:
¼ inch screws for my camera, because I’m apparently committed to misplacing them forever
Cool, right? But that’s not what broke my brain.
That happened when I typed in one very dangerous word:
“yarn.”
Front and center was this absolute masterpiece:
A container. That looks like a ball of yarn.
Roughly the size of a 100 g skein.
That can hold my tools.
I needed this printed yesterday.
The Glorious Mess of Learning
So I downloaded the files, pulled them into Creality Print, stared at the screen and went:
“Hmmm… now what?”
After some trial, error, and “hey hubs, come look at this,” plus the fact that he had already printed the classic little Benchy boat and was now the household expert, we finally sliced, exported, and did all the things.
We printed the first half of the container. Twice.
And it was… bad.
Holes where there should not be holes
Super flimsy walls
Definitely not “throw this in a project bag and trust it with your scissors” level
I was disappointed, but not defeated.
While the second print was chugging along, I kept browsing Thingiverse and found a remixed version of the yarn ball container that screwed the two halves together.
Even better. No random popping open. No tools escaping into the void at the bottom of my bag.
Third Time’s the Charm
I downloaded the remix, pulled it into the software, and did a bit more research and tweaking. Then I crossed my fingers and hit Print.
And it worked.
The walls were thicker
Everything was solid and watertight
The supports snapped off without too much swearing
I now have a yarn-ball-shaped container that:
Holds my hooks, needles, and tiny scissors
Screws securely closed
Fits perfectly in the pocket of my bag
My precious tools are now living inside a fake ball of wool, and honestly, I might be more excited about this than is strictly reasonable.
It's A 3D Printed Christmas This Year!
Christmas is creeping up, so I’ll keep the rest of our projects under wraps for now. Let’s just say we’re having a ridiculous amount of fun printing gifts for friends and family.
I love it when both sides of my brain get to play together:
The artsy side that loves fiber, color, and texture
The nerdy side that gets weirdly excited about slicer settings and layer height
3D printing might have started as “let’s try this out,” but it’s officially part of the creative toolkit now.
Untill next time friends...
