DIY: Making a Terrarium with a 3D Maker

This project was made in partnership with HP.

I am not tech savvy at all and hate getting used to new technology. Like my iPhone 6? I hate when you have to update it every so often and I delay it as long as possible. The same with Facebook or Instagram, why do they keep changing the layout? So when I received the Dremel 3D printer, it stayed in the box for awhile. 3D printer? It just sounds so futuristic and intense and therefore confusing and intimidating! After holding it off as long as possible, I had to open it so that I could make a project with it. Jay kept telling me he’d help me set it up but he’s been training for a marathon and been falling asleep while putting the kids to sleep almost every night so after waiting for him for 2 days with no luck, I reluctantly opened it by myself, hoping I’d be able to figure this dang thing out. And guess what? It’s a miracle. I set it up all by myself with no trouble! I still can’t believe I did it! I am so proud of myself! Haha, it just means it was super easy and simple to set up and run. I figured out how to download designs and make something too, with no hassle or frustration. I LOVE this 3d printer. I haven’t used any other ones but I am so happy that it’s easy and so simple to use, that even I figured it out with no trouble! And I didn’t really know how a 3D printer worked before and how it makes stuff, but now I know and I am blown away. Technology is so awesome. Especially when it’s so simple and non-intimidating. 

Maybe you all know how a 3D printer works, but it’s string by string, line upon line. That white filament you use on the very left is like the ink. Then it goes through the metal tip that’s like a pen and it shoots out thin strings to build upon line upon line to make the design. 

HP Sprout also came out with their new 3D turntable scanner where you can turn whatever object you put on the turntable come to life. so like a true printer. You place the object on the turntable and it’ll take meticulous measurements and pictures from all angles, you hook it up to the Dremel 3D printer and it’ll make the copy!

Here is a video of my process, so you can see better how it all works!

I’ve also made a toothpaste squeezer, a dinosaur head and a frog for the kids and their friend, and a tablet stand. The filament is about $26 and it lasts a lot longer than I had thought. I’ve made all this with one filament that came with the printer and there’s still quiet a bit left. What would you make with a 3D scanner and a 3D printer?