The Maker Journey
Not perfectly planned. Not always smooth. But always moving forward.
MattMakes3D started the same way a lot of good hobbies do. With curiosity, a bit of obsession, and the simple desire to make something cool.
About three years ago, I got into 3D printing because I wanted to build things for my office. At first, it was mostly Star Wars prints. Helmets, props, display pieces, the kind of stuff that makes a workspace feel more like a personal command center than just another desk. What started as a fun side project quickly turned into something I looked forward to every single day.
There's something addictive about the process. Finding a model. Tweaking settings. Watching layers come together. Fixing mistakes. Learning what works. Learning what absolutely does not. Over time, printing stopped being just about the finished object and became more about the journey of making.
MattMakes3D is my personal print log. It's not a polished portfolio or a highlight reel. It's a living record of what I'm building, experimenting with, and sometimes completely redoing. Some prints are functional solutions to everyday problems. Others exist purely because they look awesome on a shelf. Recently, I've leaned more into decorative builds, especially pieces that bring a little sci-fi energy into real life.
Most of what you see here is powered by my two Bambu printers, an A1 and an A1 Mini. They've helped me move from casual tinkering into a more consistent creative rhythm. Print, learn, adjust, repeat. That cycle has become part of how I unwind and stay inspired.
Beyond my own prints, being part of the maker community has become just as important as the machines themselves. I help support MakerDeck, a 24/7 live stream where makers around the world build together in real time. I also co-host The MakerShow with Chris every Tuesday at 6pm, and help organize our monthly in-person meetups in Issaquah, which happen every third Monday. Those nights are a reminder that making is better when it's shared.
MattMakes3D is still very much a hobby. But like any good side quest, it's leading to bigger ideas. New projects. New collaborations. New ways to create and connect. This site is where that story gets documented one print at a time.
If you're into 3D printing, Star Wars, creative problem solving, or just watching someone figure things out as they go, you'll probably feel at home here.