My Maker Story: Printing a New Path Out of the Darkness 🖤✨

Introduction: Why I’m Sharing This Story

In 2024, life threw me a curveball—a tough mental health battle that left me questioning who I was. I was no stranger to anxiety and depression, but this time, it felt different. I needed an outlet, a way to reconnect with myself and my creativity while supporting my ADHD.

That outlet arrived in a box from @bambulab_official. And what started as a single print would soon become a new step in a Makers journey.

I am sharing this story to give hope to others, change some perspectives or give others the courage to dive into their darkness and heal.

The Beginning: My First Print, A Simple Box Cutter

In September 2024, I unboxed my very first Bambu Lab X1 Carbon (X1C) printer. The moment was a mix of excitement and a bit of hesitation—would I even know what to do with it?

Spoiler: I had never 3D printed in my life; but have always been the tech guy; how hard could it be? 😜

My first print? A simple box cutter—not glamorous, not groundbreaking. But, it was a first step out of the fog I had been living with. I can’t tell you how often I just sit and watch it print, it’s fascinating and brings me such joy!

Finding My Flow: Shapr3D, HueForge, and My First Model

By January 2025, I was hooked and needed to take the next step.

I had spent countless hours learning from the incredible MakerWorld community with their creativity, resourcefulness and grit. Inspired, I dove into Shapr3D for modeling and HueForge for beautiful filament art/printing.

That led to publishing my first MakerWorld model: an Astronaut HueForge piece.

 

This was the turning point. I realized there was no turning back. The joy of designing, printing, and sharing was something I haven’t experienced; creating things that people really love. It’s a new feeling admittedly.

Leveling Up: Hexagon Magnetic Wall Art

This wasn’t just about making something pretty. I wanted something people could make their own with their colors of choice. This meant I had to learn how to implement more modeling techniques like:

  • Tolerances
  • Dovetail joints
  • Magnet embedding

This design challenged me technically—and creatively. And seeing it come together was a confidence boost I didn’t know I needed. It’s available on MakerWorld for anyone to print!

Colorful hexagonal tiles in shades of green and white arranged on a black surface, showcasing a modern and geometric design. The image highlights a partially completed pattern with one green hexagon prominently placed.

Entering the MakerWorld Garden Contest: The Birth of GrowTote

Then came a happy little surprise. In May 2025, I stumbled across a Gardening Contest on MakerWorld. My partner Cory and I immediately had an idea: what if we created a modular garden caddy?

Thus, the GrowTote was born. It was only my second full design—but we dreamed big. Modular, practical, and flexible. And then… it won 2nd place! (And yes, the $200 Bambu gift card was a nice bonus. 🤯)

Gardening tools organized in black and white baskets on mulched garden soil, surrounded by green plants and garden decor.

Along Came Version 2 Packed with Updates

With some feedback and prints under my belt, there were a few areas of the original design that I wanted to optimize; so I started working on version 2 of the GrowTote. It took several weeks of tinkering and lots of scrap and failed prints. I came out with a refined version that packed a ton of updates:

  • Optimized shell thickness and filleted edges to eliminate sag
  • Thick base in v1 has been removed to reduce waste.
  • Interior Slide-In Bins now have a thumb slot for easier removal.
  • The hanging bins are upgraded with a sleeker hook system – with a removeable hook system in progress.
  • A new ergonomic handle.
  • Optimized Multiboard T-Bolt threads for a tighter fit
  • A new non-Multiboard versions now available.
  • 2 Sizes of Stanley Quencher holders.
  • New GrowSpikes used to stake out areas temporarily.
  • And more!

 

Multi-compartment seed storage organizer in vibrant blue and white, designed for easy access to seed packs, featuring hexagonal cutouts and a convenient handle, placed on a wooden deck surrounded by plants.

The Real Story: Hiccups, Lessons, and Growth

Not everything was smooth sailing. Also in May, as I was preparing a new contest submission, my nozzle tip broke off—mid-project!

Cue full-on panic mode and a frantic hunt for a replacement nozzle. But here’s the thing: every hiccup is an opportunity to learn.

  • I’ve dealt with failed prints.
  • I’ve fought through self-doubt and burnout.
  • I’ve questioned if I belong.

And every time, I’ve reminded myself: it’s okay. Growth isn’t linear. It’s okay to hit bumps along the way. It’s how we handle our bumps that can help us grow. What do I do with my failed prints like you see below? Well, I melt them down into different objects like skulls and turtles to reduce waste and do my part! 🌲

Close-up of a 3D printer's hotend assembly showcasing components such as the nozzle, wiring, and safety warning labels. The image highlights the intricate design and features of the printer's extruder mechanism, including a Micro-Lidar sensor for enhanced precision.
A picture of a cardboard box filled with print failures or scraps from printing. This is just one of the smaller boxes I have.

Beyond the Printer: The Power of Therapy and Community

While 3D printing has been a major part of my healing, my real power-up has come from:

  • Therapy
  • Self-love practices
  • Connection with the people important to me
  • Daily check-ins, habit forming and guidance using the Finch app (@finchcare)

Some days are a grind:

  • A print fails catastrophically.
  • Impostor syndrome creeps in.
  • My ADHD takes over and focus feels elusive.

But what I’ve learned is this: community and mental health support matter more than anything.

What’s Next: More Designing, More Healing, More Sharing

So what’s next?

  • I want to keep designing.
  • I need to keep healing.
  • I want to keep sharing this journey with all of you.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your own path—or if you just love watching ideas come to life—I hope this story resonates. Together, we can make more than prints.

We can make change. 🛠️💚   #BambuLetsMakeIt

Image depicting a maker's journey featuring a person working on a project, a close-up of a printing machine, and organized tools in a basket. The text highlights the theme of creativity and innovation in overcoming challenges.

Final Thoughts

To anyone out there fighting their own dark days—know this:

Creating heals. Community heals. You can start with one simple box cutter.

And who knows where it will take you!

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By Published On: June 7th, 2025Categories: 3D Printing, Maker Community, Mental Health, WHATCHA MAKIN'Comments Off on My Maker Story: Printing a New Path Out of the DarknessTags: , , ,