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!
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. 🤯)
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! 🌲
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
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!
