What happens when you give a DND character, a bugbear named Gortho, one year and access to many maker tools? He creates a cave workshop and builds multiple cars to try and win the Best In Show award for a modified Pinewood Derby challenge.
The use case of wooden free-standing screens for a tabletop RPG may be niche, but this project was an exciting opportunity to push my tools/skills. The grain-matching inlays, backfilling routed lines with epoxy and blending laser etchings over top from it are ones I’m excited to use on more projects in the future.
A Secret Santa gift of a serving tray with a secret surprise when the lights go out. Will the recipient be aglow when they see their Doors of Durin light up at night?
Some of the projects that have the biggest impact on day-to-day quality of life are also the simplest. These 3D printed spice racks mounted on the inside of a cabinet door for easy access when a dish needs a dash of something extra.
What happens when I re-imagined a keepsake box concept, with 3D print test files and one of the worlds’ oldest games built into its smallest form factor possible?
Whether your family member has the greenest of thumbs or the farthest thing from, this 3D printed and painted orchid with built in LED grow light will have everyone wondering what their secret is.
DND is equal parts decisions with dice, improvised storytelling, puzzle solving and world building that is unlike any other game you might try. For long-running campaigns, the chance to bring the best bits of lore out into the real world is a fantastic experience to share.
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. This project was filled with so many mediums and opportunities to stretch my skills that it’s easily one of my most reference projects when someone asks what an ambitious Idealien Studios project looks like.
It started small helping to digitally mock up a backyard patio renovation. The idea and details grew in size but the scale model build never did. For the family members who are happily living in their forever home, but becoming harder to find just the right gift for, a scale model might be one to consider.