Festive 3D Pen Crafts for Kids

Christmas crafts are a great way to keep your kids busy and happy on their winter break! Develop their creativity and motor-skills as they Doodle away at these projects. Parents are encouraged to join in on the fun. All you need is your 3Doodler Start pen, some plastic filaments, and the stencils for each project.

3D pen art: Row of three Christmas trees on a white surface.

1. DIY Mini Christmas Trees

Make these adorable mini trees to decorate your mantelpiece or dining table. Print out this Christmas Tree Stencil and follow the video tutorial below to make your own set of trees in minutes! Add tiny ornaments to dress it up any way you like.

Download Stencil


Tips:
  • Add a loop on top of the tree to thread a string through, and hang it up as an ornament.

Snowflakes on blue surface with ribbon - 3D pen art

2. Snowflake Ornaments

Don’t these snowflakes look gorgeous? Guess what, they’re extremely easy to make. Just print out
this stencil, trace over it with your 3Doodler Start pen, add a loop to one end and thread a ribbon through. Hang them up to give your home that beautiful wintery vibe.

Download Stencil

Tips:
  • Draw your own snowflake stencils to make each one unique.

Blue and orange 3D pen with Christmas decorations

3. DIY Personalised Gift Tags

Add a heartwarming touch to your Christmas gifts this year with a personalized gift tag! Print this stencil and pick out your loved one’s favorite holiday object (Ginger-bread man, mistletoe, angel, etc.), outline the shape with your 3Doodler pen, write their name in the center, and Doodle to fill up the rest of the shape. Add a loop to the top of the tag to finish.

Download Stencil


Tips:
  • Hang these name tags on stockings or just write your friend’s name in 3D – you can use this all year round for birthdays, weddings and other gifting occasions.

Want more family Holiday craft projects? Check out our blog.

#whatwillyoucreate

Happy Doodling!back to top image

Handmade Christmas Cards & Decor Ideas (made with a 3D pen!)

Get in the holiday spirit with these fun and simple 3D Pen Christmas Projects! Grab your 3Doodler Create+ 3D pen and Doodle your own decorations and greeting cards with our free stencils. These projects are easy to make, and look absolutely fantastic!

  • Colorful wreath with ribbon and bow - 3D pen art

1. DIY Christmas Wreath

Learn how to make a wreath with the video tutorial below! This handmade creation adds a welcoming touch to any door, wall or cozy fireplace. Print out this stencil and follow along with the video for a fun DIY evening! Add a flying reindeer for a cute Christmas touch, or customize it in any way you want.

Download Stencil

Tips:
  • Keep it simple with a variety of leaves or add some dangling stars and reindeers.

  • Blue surface with string ornaments & red ball - 3D pen art

2. Simple Holiday Ornaments

These modern-looking ornaments are great for 3D pen users of any level. Simply trace over the outline of any shape from this stencil to make a frame. Then add a dot of plastic to one edge and start wrapping extruded plastic around it, circling your pen around the frame as you hold it in place. Finish by Doodling a loop on the tip of your frame and thread a ribbon through it.

Download Stencil


Tips:
  • Draw your own frames to make some unique ornaments for your home! Make ornaments with the initials of your family members, and hang them beside their stockings!

3. Handmade 3D Christmas Cards

Handmade cards always provide that thoughtful and unexpected touch. Try out this easy technique to add embossed details to your cards! All you need is a card, a 3Doodler Create+ pen, and some plastic filaments. Simply use your 3Doodler pen to draw out your design (like you would with a normal pen and pencil), and create a beautiful card with detailing that you can run your fingers across!

Tips:
  • You can also use a 3Doodler Create+ pen to add pop up elements to your card, like a star that pops out when you open the card.

#whatwillyoucreate

Happy Doodling!back to top image

How To Draw In 3D with a 3D pen

How do you make 3D objects with 3Doodler? The most obvious answer is to Doodle freehand in the air. But don’t stop there – there are also other techniques that you can try out to achieve the same, or even better, results. Who knows, you might even prefer these methods as you climb the learning curve towards becoming a 3D drawing expert!

In this guide to 3D drawing, we look at how you can assemble a three-dimensional object using Doodled 2D parts, a little like building with Lego blocks, as well as making your own molds, and more. Here are some basic techniques:

Build a cube

A great way to practice assembling your Doodles is by building a cube.

  • how to doodle a cube with a 3d pen

    Step 1

    On a piece of paper, draw a 3x3cm square. Doodle to create six two-dimensional square pieces. If you are using a 3Doodler Start Pen, you can use a Start DoodlePad® as a Doodling surface.
  • how to doodle a cube with a 3d pen

    Step 2

    Place the bottom piece flat on your work surface, then hold up a side piece so that it’s propped up against the bottom piece.
  • how to doodle a cube with a 3d pen

    Step 3

    Apply a bit of plastic at the corners where the pieces meet to hold it in place. Then Doodle along the entire joint to secure it.
  • how to doodle a cube with a 3d pen

    Step 4

    Repeat for each side of the cube, and you’re done! Now use the same technique to go beyond 3D cubes to create almost any structure.

Create a sphere

When creating a round shape like a sphere, we recommend using a mold to get that perfect 3D shape. Check out the 3Doodler Start Doodlemolds® Basic Set, make your own sphere mold out of some rolled up paper and masking tape, or use and recycle items you already have at home!

  • how to doodle a sphere with a 3d pen

    Step 1

    Get started by using your ping pong ball as your 3D mold and wrapping it with masking tape. Doodle a line around the middle of the ball, and work your way toward one end to create a semi-sphere.

    TIP: If you don’t have a ping pong ball, you can also use the balloon technique from this fairy lights tutorial instead.

  • how to doodle a sphere with a 3d pen

    Step 2

    Leaving a little space, Doodle another semi-sphere on the other side of the ping pong ball.
  • how to doodle a sphere with a 3d pen

    Step 3

    Use a nail file or small pair of scissors to slide around the inside of your semi-spheres and pop them off your ping-pong ball. They should come off easily once they’re a little loose!

    CAUTION: Adults should help children with this step!

  • how to doodle a sphere with a 3d pen

    Step 4

    Add some plastic to join the two semi-spheres together to form a whole sphere!

    Almost any object can be used to make a 3D mold for your creations. Try picking up a random household object and using it as a starting point for your next 3D masterpiece.

Make a figurine or animal

When making more complex structures like a figurine or animal, you can build your own molds with paper, masking tape, and a few household items.

  • how to doodle a figurine with a 3d pen

    Step 1

    Sketch out your character and draw simplified shapes onto each body part (e.g: a circle for the head, cylinders for legs, a rectangular prism for the body). Write down the rough measurements for each of these shapes.
  • how to doodle a figurine with a 3d pen

    Step 2

    Find objects that match these basic shapes (e.g. pencils or rolls of paper for legs, a ping pong ball for the head, a glass bottle for the body). If you can’t find the right objects, scrunch up some waste paper into the desired shape. Be sure to wrap each of your molds with masking tape before Doodling onto the surface.

    TIP: A 3Doodler Create pen can melt other plastics, so use surfaces like paper, glass, clay and wood to be safe. Always wrap them with masking tape to ensure easy removal of your finished Doodle. And you can also sketch out your Doodling onto the tape itself.

  • how to doodle a figurine with a 3d pen

    Step 3

    Doodle half of each shape and pop off the solidified plastic before Doodling the second half. Then join the two halves together using your 3Doodler to create each completed body part.

    TIP: If you are using scrunched up paper or other expendable material as a mold, you may want to completely cover the mold and leave the paper inside of your Doodle.

  • how to doodle a figurine with a 3d pen

    Step 4

    Assemble all body parts by Doodling them together. You can Doodle flat parts and attach them or simply add the basic shape to create protruding parts like ears and toes.
  • how to doodle a figurine with a 3d pen

    Step 5

    Add details like facial features directly onto your piece and play with textures for fur or hair. You can also use nozzle tips for fine details and finishing touches.

    TIP: Use the smoothing tool tip to scrape off mistakes and redoodle parts.

  • Step 6

    All done! Don’t forget to show off your Doodle by tagging #whatwillyoucreate!

An even more advanced way to make the base structure is to use ABS plastic to create a frame. With the frame built out, you can Doodle over it using either PLA or ABS to complete the shape. For example, to make the shape of legs, simply Doodle rings of incremental sizes, then join the pieces together. Finally, fill up the gaps by connecting the rings. See how 3D pen artist Heather Baharally creates her frames with the 3Doodler Start Pen to create a beautiful, realistic octopus.

Ready to create more? You’re going to love these tutorials and stencils that we’ve prepared for you.
To purchase 3Doodler products, visit our store here.

Customer Service Appreciation Week at 3Doodler!

It’s Customer Service Week, and there’s no better time to show our appreciation for the amazing people who support our community on a daily basis. At 3Doodler, we’re proud to say we have an excellent Customer Service Team, and thankfully our community agrees.

Here’s a taster of the feedback we’ve received:
  • “I was so surprised to get such a quick response – at first I thought my message had bounced back somehow. This is how customer service should be.”

  • “So helpful, and stuck with me for more than half an hour! Glad to know people like this are helping out!”

  • “These people, who do online chat to help people with their 3Doodler pens are amazing! Without them no one would be able to fix their pen! Keep up the good work 3Doodler staff!!!”

Find out how you can show your appreciation for our team at the end of this blog.

Meet Our Awesome CS Team

Nisey Steward

– Director of Customer Experience

Hello! I’m Nisey, and it’s my job to lead the best team here at 3Doodler – the Customer Service team. I also work with the other departments on projects to make sure customers have the best possible experience with 3Doodler from the get-go, and throughout their user journey.

What’s your goal?

My current goal is to beat Doom on my Nintendo Switch. Wait, you mean work wise? Can you erase that last answer? No? Fine! My current WORK goal is to always push my team to be better, aiming for that 100% satisfaction rating. I treat each and every interaction with the customer as a learning experience, and we use feedback to be better as a team and a company.

What’s a typical day at work like?

A typical day at work for me includes going through all of the feedback left by customers in our ticketing system, touching base with the team about what they are working on for the day, and emails, lots of emails. French vanilla iced coffee makes the emails better.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have a passion for collecting sneakers. I buy what I like, not necessarily what everyone else gets. Just like with any other passion, purchases must come from the heart.
Something else about me… I was born and primarily raised in NYC (my soul is Southern). I could watch Law and Order SVU all day. I studied Criminal Justice, so law is life. I love numbers and have my tax preparers license. My entire heart has been captured by my best friend!

Tell us about your Personality Doodle

My Personality Doodle reflects my passion for sneakers. There is a Hexbug inside that makes it dance with love! Favorite thing I have ever seen!!

Evie Johnson

– Customer Service Manager

Hi there! As CS Manager, I help customers through emails, live chats, phone calls, social media, and video calls, and I love ensuring our customers are happy and well taken care of. I also help educators get acquainted with their 3Doodler Learning Packs, and talk with them about using 3Doodler pens in their classrooms. The 3Doodler Customer Service team is truly the best team in the world! I am grateful for every day I get to work with them and help support team-wide processes and successes! I also love assisting other departments with side projects, and helping them achieve their goals.

What’s your goal?

One important goal of mine is to get to know our customers better. I am researching how to better support them, and how we can accommodate their needs and wants to the best of our ability. I also strive to maintain “top shelf” customer service with positive customer feedback.

What’s a typical day at work like?

Daily, I check inboxes, answer phones, have video calls with customers, and have fun connecting with my team in our Slack channels. One of my favorite tasks is taking time to connect with 3Doodler artists that make visionary works of art, and supporting them as best as I can! I also spend time proofreading material, uploading and editing our EDU Lesson Plans, and receiving guidance from the amazing leaders in our company, which aids my professional development. On a daily basis I do my best to support 3Doodler in being the best company in the world!

What do you like to do in your free time?

As far as extracurricular activities go, I love practicing yoga and making art! My best friend is a tiny cat named Kali Maa, and her coat is mostly black with flecks of beige and orange. In my spare time I love reading, drinking tea, and spending time with my cat. Kali inspires my love for all animals! I have spent over 700 hours volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation, and I also rescue injured and orphaned animals if I happen to find them.

Tell us about your Personality Doodle

My Personality Doodle is of a cat because I adore cats! It is in an ornate frame that I Doodled as well. It was made with the 3Doodler Create using ABS and PLA.

Andrea Macias

– Customer Support Technician

Hey, I’m Andrea. I help cultivate relationships between the customer and our products through every interaction. I help remind customers why 3Doodler is the best choice and help guide them in the best direction to bring their imagination to life.

What’s your goal?

I strive to create 3Doodler promoters who understand that what separates 3Doodler from other companies is our customer service. I strive to help customers know that our goal isn’t to sell you the most expensive pen, but rather to introduce you to a pen that suits your needs and helps you bring your imagination to life.

What’s a typical day at work like?

I’m super organized! I begin my day by writing down my daily work tasks and checking them off as I complete them. I interact with customers via our ticketing system, social media and phone calls. I comb through the data received from customer interactions to analyze our data trends, and I ship out any replacement items that need to be shipped.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to film and edit makeup, cooking, fitness and hair How-To videos. I have a son named David (9 years old) and a Yorkshire named Biscuit, a.k.a. CornBread. I love, love, love going to the gym, but mainly because I have the biggest sweet tooth ever.

Tell us about your Personality Doodle

My Doodles show my style. The Powerpuff Doodle I made for the 1st 3Doodler NYC event I attended. The mini ramen bowl shows my love for tiny Doodles of food. The skeleton helped me get to the know the different nozzle types and plastics, and how they bring out the different textures found on the skeleton itself. Last, but not least, is my Biscuit Doodle, which is almost the same size as him.

Dani Chillemi

– Customer Support Ninja

Hi! As CS Ninja, I connect with customers and help troubleshoot or educate about 3Doodler products. I strive to make sure customers know that they’re speaking with an actual human who just wants to help them. I know how discouraging it is to wait a long time for a response, only to have it be robotic and unhelpful.

What’s your goal?

I want the customers I connect with to feel like they’re reaching out to a buddy for assistance with something, and have them really feel that I’m happy to help them. I also strive to be fast in my response time to reassure the customer that I’m here and ready to resolve any issues.

What’s a typical day at work like?

On a typical work day, I make coffee then zone out on my laptop with daily tasks, such as answering emails, troubleshooting issues for customers, answering calls, browsing 3Doodler-related content on social media, taking care of spreadsheets, and now and then I’ll grab a 3Doodler and start doodling.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I love urban inline skating, hanging out with my dog, going on adventures with my soul buddy, and pondering life and the universe (whoa, that’s deep, man). I like to practice just being, chilling and enjoying the moment, while gently nudging myself to continually grow and evolve, even if my pace is that of a sloth.

Tell us about your Personality Doodle

My Doodle is an urban inline skate; it’s based on one of my skates with 3x110mm wheels. It represents having fun, exploring, feeling free, and growing stronger.

Want to show a little love to our CS team and get 25% off your next purchase?
Show your appreciation by leaving a review on Trustpilot, then send us an email ([email protected]) with a link to your review. We’ll send you a 25% off discount coupon!

Coupon Conditions: The coupon will be one time use, for a minimum of US$10, and a maximum of US$500, and will expire on 31st December 2018.

Close-up: 3D pen art cake with sticks design

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