In June of 2016 I was experimenting with the 3Doodler, a pen shaped device that extrudes hot plastic, like a 3D printer, but hand driven rather than computer driven. I decided to make a walleye fish, for my Dad, to experiment with construction.
Photo description: getting started, with the 3Doodler pen on the right, doll eyes, sheet of glass for flat components, and a glass drinking glass for curved components, along with a reference illustrationPhoto description: body constructed and onto the fins, it worked best for me to make the component, then attach it to the base rather than build up from the base, especially for the finsPhoto description: fish complete, but I wanted a better position than it resting on its pectoral finsPhoto description: translucent blue “waves” doodled flat then added as a base for the fishPhoto description: finished piece titled “Hooked” made from extruded plastic with a 3D doodler pen, red and white lure also doodled with plastic, then melted smooth, and plastic doll eyes
The biggest frustration with the project was the tool. The version of 3D doodler I was using needed more breaks than I did, and I would have to walk away and let it rest, which is not ideal in the middle of a creative storm.
Critters and Craft 