3D printers are increasing popular and are so useful for creating all sorts of things including tools for clay (polymer and metal) work. I have previously featured different designers who sell such 3D printed tools before (see links below).
Italian designer, Guilia, with help from her partner do something different. She creates and sell STL files from her shop, CuttersMammaMia. She does all this from Rome - she says they can see St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican from their apartment building!
She has many gorgeous designs. I particularly love her cut out ones such as the cloud inspired one above and the moth below! Some of the designs allow you to print in different sizes. In the case of succulents - one size but many shapes!
Guilia offers simpler shapes too. Also available are smaller shape cutters as well as all kinds of texture rollers.
Many 3D printers are commercially available. Don't have one? Or need help with the technical stuff? Check out your local Maker Studio in your public library. My local Makerspace now has 2! The friendly staff are always on hand to help and teach.
You can make the cutters and rollers for yourself or sell the tools you make - but Guilia's STL files are copyright.
Guilia offered some tips :
For the type of printing material I recommend PLA . Because PLA is a versatile and inexpensive material, easy to print and created by processing various plant products, precisely why it is considered an 'environmentally friendly' plastic. It can also be used in contact with food and therefore makes perfect cutters for cookies and sugar paste decorations as well.
Cool! The cooking application was something I hadn't considered!
Having done some beginner 3D printing myself, I then asked her how to finish the PLA print. There are striations as the PLA is laid down in layers. Not all prints are perfect either.
She recommends :
The method I use myself for my 3D prints of objects and prototypes is sandpaper of various thicknesses and a spray filler to fill in the 'gaps.' I usually alternate between these two processes. Also if there are more conspicuous holes in the prototype I use two-component putty.
By spray filler, she means a 2-1 spray such as Rust Oleum' filler and sandable primer.
Two component putty is also known as epoxy resin clay, the solid version of two part epoxy resin. I recommend Apoxie Sculpt as it is more cost effective then small amounts of jewelry resin clay. You can use it for all kinds of craft projects.
Game to try?
.webp)
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
wow! technology has made a huge impact on crafting, hasn't it?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! As they say, watch this space in the next several months and there will be more!
Delete