Let’s Go Barbie — Make Stylish Accessories!

Barbie is a fashion icon and inspires us all to dream big. Now you can make stylish Barbie accessories with a 3Doodler 3D pen and tutorial!

Over the years, Barbie’s encouraged girls and women worldwide to express their personal style and to be anything they want to be. Barbie held careers in many different industries and represented all kinds of women while breaking fashion barriers.

Now, Barbie is about to hit the big screen in a new adaptation by Greta Gerwig that debuts on Friday, July 21.

It’s the perfect moment to dust off your Barbie dolls and create one-of-a-kind accessories with a 3D pen. Find out how Barbie got her start and explore 3Doodler’s project ideas!

Fashion Icon is Born

  • Close-up of striped doll 3D pen art
  • Barbie with 3D pen suit, hat, and suitcase
  • Stunning 3D pen art: Barbie doll in red dress with gold accents
  • 3D pen art: Barbie doll in red/white dress with black accessories.
  • Barbie and suited man in 3D pen art

Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, found inspiration watching her daughter, Barbara, and her friends play with paper dolls. She could envision the girls playing with a more lifelike doll but met with resistance at Mattel.

A trip to Europe rekindled the idea after seeing a German doll in a toy shop. Handler quickly created a prototype for an 11.5-inch (29 cm) doll with movable limbs. She named the doll Barbie after her daughter and presented it at the New York Toy Fair in 1959.

From the beginning, fashion played a big part in Barbie’s storyline. Handler envisioned girls playing with the doll to imagine a future where they could be whatever they wanted at a time when many careers were closed to women. Clothes could transform any doll into a flight attendant, doctor, astronaut, or actress. An outfit could create a new look, lifestyle, or career. Anything a teen could dream up was now possible to imagine playing with Barbie.

In the 1970s, Mattel introduced Barbie’s signature pink color to market the doll to young girls. Today the deep pink shade is part of the official Pantone Color Chart designers and artists use.

Make Accessories for Barbie

Whether you’re creating a bright pink accessory or adding to another outfit, one thing is for sure; you can design all sorts of interesting and unique items for Barbie with a 3D pen.
Try your hand at a headband, necklace, or purse with an easy-to-follow tutorial and stencil. Choose a color from a selection of PLA plastic filament, grab your 3Doodler Create+ or 3Doodler Start+ pen, and get crafting.

If you’re feeling really creative, you could even design new clothes for Barbie and Ken. There’s no end to the possibilities.

And, if you’re looking to take the experience one step further, take a Barbie selfie and imagine yourself as part of the Barbie universe!

How has Barbie inspired you? What new accessories will you create? Share your creations with us at @3Doodler or #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.

Dive Under the Sea with a 3D Pen Mermaid

Guest artist Cornelia Kuglmeier helped explore the topic of mermaids this month. Dive into the history of mermaids and learn a few fun facts about their origin.

Disney’s live-action version of The Little Mermaid will be out in theaters later this month. Hear how it inspired Connie and discover the techniques that enabled her to bring her vision to life!

Diving Into an Underwater World

Mermaids and mermen appeared in folklore with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish. These mythical beings appeared in many different cultures and were considered magical creatures who loved music and often sang.

Early stories about merpeople suggested they brought harm to humans in the form of floods, shipwrecks, or other disasters. However, mermaid and mermen sightings exploded during the early 1500s as explorers took to the seas and made their way across the ocean.

In fact, as early explorers traveled through the Caribbean they claimed they saw mermaids. It was likely manatees that they were spotting in the ocean, but the legends continued.

In 1873, Hans Christian Anderson wrote The Little Mermaid as part of a collection of fairy tales for children. The story shares the journey of a young mermaid willing to exchange her life in the ocean to gain a human soul. Over the years, the tale was adapted to theater, film, ballet, and even opera. The most well-known adaptation is that of the animated Disney film that was released in 1989.

“I loved the character of Ariel. She’s such a curious, lively girl, who loves to explore, to learn new things, and expand her horizon,” said Connie. “What intrigued me the most, though, was that beautiful underwater world. It was a completely new world to me, as was ours to Ariel.”


  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler

3D Design Process Explained

In sketching this latest project, Connie explains that her drawings continue to evolve throughout the project, and the final design may differ slightly from the original sketch. The next time you sketch, consider using a 3D pen to create a scene or add detail to a particular project.

“Once I start, the ideas start to flow,” said Connie. “As you draw one thing, another crosses your mind, but it doesn’t quite fit with what you’re sketching at the moment. Then, there’s a second idea, and so on.”

She explains that creating is an ever-evolving and living process. Sketching is an essential part of the process. Connie describes it as taking notes and putting them into a picture. That picture quickly becomes a 3D design as the process unfolds.

Connie draws from various angles to help in her three-dimensional planning. This process enables her to firm up the design’s dimensions, proportions, and details.

“The result is often a mixture of different ideas, but seldom just one specific sketch I made previously,” said Connie. “Even though the sketch is important to the design process it doesn’t determine the final result. It mostly serves as a visual note.”


  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler
  • 3d pen figurine of a mermaid by 3Doodler

Surprising Details & Techniques

Connie admits that creating something truly unique can take time and patience. Some elements, like the scales, were planned, prepared, and applied. But others, like the pearls and bubbles, were added as a finishing touch.

“The result is so rewarding,” she says. “I love the light reflecting on the multi-colored scales. I like the varying hair color. The details breathe life into things.”

A surprising material created the look of the skin on this mermaid. Connie used wood filament to make the skin and body. She doodled the pieces and then used the flattening tip to smooth them and create an even surface.

“Wood is such a good filament for sculpting,” said Connie. “If you use the angled tip, you can carve into the plastic, as I did for lips and eyes. If you want to speed up the process, change the setting from PLA or Wood to ABS. It makes a big difference, but you need to be careful not to press too hard or the plastic will melt away.”

Regarding the new live-action Little Mermaid, Connie is excited to see how Ariel’s sidekicks and the underwater kingdom come to life on screen.

“I’m really interested in all aspects of the story,” says Connie. “I’m mesmerized by modern film technology and enjoy seeing what artists are capable of creating. Entire new worlds to literally dive into!”

Sketch and design in 3D and take inspiration from Connie’s latest tips. Share your 3Doodler projects by tagging @3Doodler or #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.

Celebrate National Library Week!

We often think of a library as a place to find books of all kinds — from picture books to large print or ebooks and audiobooks. But there’s so much more to the story.

Discover all that libraries have to offer during National Library Week, April 23-29, 2023! Libraries provide a space for community events, guest speakers, crafting classes, STEM activities, and book clubs. In addition, librarians are there to help you find what you need. They lend movies, musical instruments, games, and museum passes. At a library, you might be surprised to find courses that support local businesses, job seekers, or entrepreneurs.

This week, take a moment to explore how libraries support the local community with tips we rounded up. While you’re at it, use your 3Doodler tools to design a flipbook or trace your favorite storybook character. Read on!

There’s More to the Story

It’s easy to participate in National Library Week! Explore these suggestions and discover something new at a library near you.

A few ideas
  • Visit a library: Stop in and visit your local library to explore books or participate in a new activity. Take a moment to talk with your librarian and learn more about your library story. You might be surprised by what you discover!

  • Share #MyLibrary Story: Now that you know more about your library, share what you’ve learned. Was it a new book? Help to start a new activity or craft? A museum pass or a book club? Participate by writing about your library experience and sharing with the hashtag #MyLibraryStory.

  • Build community: Follow the American Library Association on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. There’s so much more to learn when you stay in contact year-round.

Storybook Projects

Libraries are also an excellent resource for STEM/STEAM clubs and maker spaces. In addition, you may find tools you can borrow, like a 3Doodler 3D pen or activity clubs, that you can join for weekly project ideas.

No need to delay. We’ve got a few project ideas that will get you started as you celebrate National Library Week. So enjoy these creative projects you design to support your love of reading, storytelling, and more with 3Doodler!


Purple flower on small card, 3D pen art.

3D Flipbook

Create a small book with a series of images in different positions to create the illusion of movement when the pages flip quickly.

Make It


3D pen art: Green string sculpture in hand.
Bookshelf Doodling

Bring storybook characters to life! Use a favorite book from home or check out new books at a local library. Once you’ve settled on your favorite, we’ll teach you how to take any picture book and create a stencil for doodling!

Try It

Share your library discoveries with us or your new 3Doodler projects by tagging @3Doodler or #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.

Finding Inspiration Through Street Art, 3D Glasses, and a Mexican Artist

Street art is created in public locations and is usually unsanctioned. Still, it covers a wide range of media and is generally more connected with graphic design than graffiti art, according to Tate.

3Doodler took inspiration from this art form in our latest collaboration with artist Ricardo Martinez. Creating this street art design, Ricardo took inspiration from 3D glasses, engraving, and a late Mexican artist.

3D Glasses & Pop-Culture

Ricardo admits that inspiration for his latest piece initially took a lot of work to find. Although the ideas were there, they took time to coalesce into a design.

“I knew I wanted to create an anaglyph. I kept thinking about 3D glasses that had one red and one blue lens,” said Ricardo. “The images were layers and when you viewed them through the glasses, your perception would change making the image pop off the page or the screen.”

Joseph D’Almeida experimented with anaglyphs, a Greek term meaning again and sculpture, in the 1850s and is often credited with inventing a new way to view 3D. Anaglyph uses a motion or still picture in which two composite images, usually one red and one blue, are superposed one over the other to produce a three-dimensional effect when viewed through correspondingly colored glasses.

The Power of Love, released in 1922, was the first movie to use anaglyph technology and require the audience to wear 3D glasses. It grew in popularity, and more films were released in the 1950s. One of the more well-known films of the time was Creature From The Black Lagoon in 1954.

A more current example of the technique that Ricardo referenced is this Daily Motion video that shows street mural art with two designs in one, depending on how you view it.


3D drawing: Man with bow & arrow

Late Mexican Artist Inspires Modern Design

Despite having chosen his technique, Ricardo struggled to find inspiration for the piece itself. As he attempted different designs, nothing looked quite right. Ricardo wanted to create a transparent image with plexiglass panels. He started with a heart, but the idea refused to take shape.

Ricardo looked for a piece of art or another idea to inspire his design. He decided to focus on a Mexican artist he greatly admired, Saturino Herrán. Born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on July 9, 1887, Herrán attended the Academy of San Carlos in 1904. His artistic career flourished from 1912-1914, inspiring the Mexican modernist movement.

“I’ve always admired Herran’s figurative art,” said Ricardo. “He is not really well known and I wanted to pay tribute to him using new technology. It felt especially powerful given I’m working with a drawing that is easily 100 years old and reviving it in a modern way.”

The work that inspired Ricardo is an unnamed illustration that Herran drew for Pegaso magazine in 1917. Herrán’s more famous works include Our Ancient Gods, which celebrates the strength, dignity, and beauty of the indigenous people who are part of Mexico’s history. Through this painting and several others, Herrán established himself as a champion of indigenismo, a movement to elevate and show respect for Indigenous people and their culture.


  • Creating 3D art with a 3D pen on paper
  • Grass 3D pen art: Fake animals in vibrant display
  • 3D drawing: Woman with bow
  • 3D pen art: woman picture on wall
  • 3D pen artist sketching by window with knife

Creating Street Art

Now that Ricardo had his idea for the drawing and the technique he would use, he was ready to create. First, Ricardo would trace the sketch and then use his artistic design elements to fill in the back of the portrait.

“What many people don’t realize is that with a 3Doodler 3D pen, you don’t have to be a great artist or designer to create something beautiful,” said Ricardo. “You can find inspiration in drawing or sketches you see and use a DoodlePad to trace them and create art.”

The bright pink and blue palettes he used were classic street art shades. The final design is something that Ricardo is pleased to share.

“When you have an idea, you should see it through to the end. As I was working on this piece, I wasn’t happy with it at all. I even stopped at one point as it just wasn’t making sense,” said Ricardo. “Seeing it through to the end paid off as I was able to realize my initial vision.”

Ricardo’s advice to other artists is to stick with it.

“Even if the skills aren’t there, you can trace. Do whatever you can to produce something and your own style will start to emerge as you put pen to paper,” said Ricardo.

Test Ricardo’s latest techniques and share your 3D art by tagging @3Doodler or #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate!

Gear Up for Major League Baseball’s Opening Day

Baseball teams are returning to parks across the country, preparing for 2023 Opening Day on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

All 30 teams will play in 15 games which will be the first time since 1968 that every Major League Baseball team starts the season on the same day!

Opening Day will mark the start of the 162-game regular season played over 213 days. So as you’re preparing to root for the home team, grab your 3D pen and doodle a team baseball hat!

America’s National Pastime

The National Baseball Hall of Fame explains that while Abner Doubleday – a decorated Union Army officer who fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter at the start of the Civil War and later served at the Battle of Gettysburg – is credited with inventing baseball in 1839 in Cooperstown, NY, there is still debate about the origins of the game.

Regardless of how baseball started, it evolved with the country and became known as America’s national pastime by the last half of the 19th century. Through the years, baseball played a role in the two world wars, civil rights, equal access and opportunity on and off the playing field, and much more, as described in the book Baseball: The National Pastime in the National Archives.

Even if you can’t travel to Cooperstown, you can explore the sport’s rich history through several online exhibits. Check them out and understand more about the players, the uniforms, and critical events in American history!

Swing, batter, batter!

Babe Ruth Batting, courtesy of New York World-Telegram. Babe Ruth Batting, courtesy of New York World-Telegram.

Baseball began as an amateur sport. The first known professional team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings, who played their first game in 1869 as members. The Reds recruited cricket players and developed their skills to become one of the more successful National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) teams. As competition heated up, baseball clubs were in a hurry to attract the most valuable players. From there, clubs and teams evolved quickly.

By 1870, the cost of employing professional ballplayers became challenging. As a result, the Cincinnati club’s board elected to refrain from fielding a team for 1871. Instead, many of the players left Cincinnati for Boston. They formed the Boston Red Stockings, who went on to win four straight league championships (1872-1875) before becoming part of the National League. Today the franchise is known as the Atlanta Braves.

The New York Yankees started in 1903 as the New York Highlanders. The Yankees have won 27 World Series titles and 40 American League pennants. However, the team wasn’t always this successful. Their stroke of luck came when they acquired Babe Ruth in 1920 from the Boston Red Sox.

The history of the sport is long and storied. Explore the origins of your hometown team — you might be surprised by what you learn.

Seventh-Inning Stretch

Table with 3D pen art: 2 baseball hats.

Cheer on your favorite team and take a creativity break by making a custom baseball hat. So naturally, with 3Doodler based in New York City, we created a Yankee’s hat and a Mets’ hat using the 3Doodler Start+ and Create+ 3D pens.

With a few simple tips, a 3D pen, plastic, and our free stencil, you’ll be on your way to creating baseball hats for all the MLB fans.

Use your DIY baseball hats as decor for an office or bedroom shelf or perhaps as a cake or cupcake topper. 3Doodler’s tutorial and stencil library is full of fantastic sporty designs from soccer to football or basketball. The choice is yours!

Make a Baseball Hat

Share your thoughts about America’s favorite pastime along with your doodled baseball hat by tagging @3Doodler or #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate!

Experiment with Color: Viva Magenta

Creators use colors in unique and exciting ways to draw attention and spark conversation. The Pantone Color Institute announces a color of the year to inspire the design community and open a dialogue about color.

Viva Magenta, the 2023 color of the year, is a dynamic, vibrant hue that exudes joy and optimism. Explore the shade and grab your 3Doodler 3D pen to experiment with a bright, futuristic color palette.


Pantone Pantone

Color of the Year

Pantone began featuring the color of the year in 1999. New colors are announced in early December for the subsequent year. In choosing the color of the year, a group of collaborators and designers take input from various sources, including entertainment, fashion, travel destinations, new technologies, social media, and even sporting events that attract worldwide attention.

In addition, the team considered the public appreciation of nature represented by lifestyle trends, such as bringing natural elements into our homes, at work, and creating vital outdoor spaces. The color choice also reflects a celebratory atmosphere and our renewed enjoyment of traveling, sporting events, and other outdoor activities.

According to Pantone, Viva Magenta’s organic origins hail from the cochineal beetle. The insect produces cochineal extract and carmine. For centuries, the substances colored food, textiles, and even cosmetics.

Viva Magenta is a bright, celebratory color that connects us to nature. Colors like this inspire the imagination and help bring ideas to life. The color of the year typically influences fashion, beauty, interior design, and graphic design.

Spark Bright Ideas

Heart charm bracelet with 3d pen art

Exploring the uses of color and testing new techniques is all part of the design process. This week we’re sharing a gorgeous charm bracelet in bright pink to reflect the color of the year. Make the bracelet and add a selection of charms that reflect your personality.

Charm bracelets have evolved but always stay in style, given their versatility. Test out different colors and make a monochromatic style with all pink, or design the bracelet in one color and charms in other shades to make them pop.

Create one for yourself or gift one to a friend or family member. Follow the tutorial to see how easy it can be to create in 3D!

See the Tutorial

Share your creations with us and tell us how you are experimenting with color in your 3D designs — @3Doodler or tag #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate!

Quick Tips to Support Social-Emotional Learning

A little time goes a long way to make social-emotional learning strategies stick!

Students benefit when they learn to manage their emotions, set and achieve goals, feel and show empathy for others, and create strong relationships.

As adults, we use these skills daily, so it makes sense to give students a chance to test their social-emotional strategies during the school day. And best of all, it’s often more manageable than it seems to incorporate a few social-emotional learning opportunities into a traditional lesson. Best of all, students walk away with more than just a good grade but tips they can use for life.

National SEL Week — March 6-10

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) offers comprehensive educational resources and research to support students, teachers, and parents.

CASEL recommends three daily practices that help support students in their SEL growth. The signature practices are very straightforward and include the following:

Three Daily SEL Practices:
  • Welcome Inclusion Activity – Builds community to tackle the word ahead. Examples include whole group meetings, morning circles, and peer-to-peer work.

  • Engaging Strategies – Offering interactive and reflective moments. Examples include partner discussions, private think time, or brain breaks.

  • Optimistic Closure – Highlights a sense of accomplishment and supports forward thinking. Examples include a one-minute accolade or a shared takeaway.


Test out these social and emotional learning tips in recognition of National SEL Week from March 6-10, 2023. The week will culminate with SEL Day on Friday, March 10, to showcase these tools’ powerful impact in uplifting hearts and connecting minds — the theme for this year’s week of activities.

Doodling Activities to Support SEL

It’s easy to see how working in 3D could be leveraged to support CASEL’s three daily practices in unique and creative ways. For example, a class could work together on a large 3D printing project as a welcome activity, or students could create individual items to share with a larger group in a morning circle activity. Doodling also provides a fun outlet for students to enjoy while using interactive and reflective moments or even acting as a brain break. Lastly, it’s fantastic to wrap up a lesson, like the ones featured below, with a key takeaway or accomplishment.

This week, explore the following lessons and recognize the value of social and emotional learning!

Grade K-2: Stone Soup

3D pen art: Small chocolate fish on K2 DoodleStoneSoup main.

Stone Soup is a classic children’s story in which a hungry stranger convinces people in a small village to contribute food to make a meal everyone enjoys and serves a moral regarding the value of sharing.

The class will hear the original tale and learn about the value of working together. Then, students will be able to create their own doodled stones using the chosen nouns. Working with a partner, they will create four different story stones. Finally, students will use their story stones as writing prompts, incorporating them into a simple story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Get the Lesson


Grade 3-5: Puppets and Props Story Retelling

Hand holding cat puppet, 3D pen art

In small groups, students will enact a scene from a book with the class. But, with a unique twist, they will create and use doodled finger puppets to share their story with the class. Retelling a story is a fantastic way to build language, speaking, and listening skills. Plus, working together and having an opportunity to design with a 3D pen offers a creative outlet that students will enjoy. The final puppet shows will reflect an understanding of story structure, sequence, and reading comprehension.

Get the Lesson


Grade 6-8: 3Doodler Stop Motion

Close-up of yarn 3D pen toy figure.

Stop-motion animation is a fantastic way to teach students about story structure, think creatively, and work together on communication and teamwork skills. Students will work in pairs or small groups to identify fictional themes in this activity. Next, they will choose a scene representing the theme and doodle their characters and props in 3D. Once ready, they will enact the scene and create a stop-motion animation. The experience will help students build confidence and share their ideas as they work with their peers.

Get the Lesson

National SEL Week is an opportunity to recognize the value of social-emotional learning and find ways to incorporate it into your day. Tell us how your classroom incorporates SEL and tag us @3Doodler #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.

March is Youth Art Month

Youth Art Month celebrates the visual arts each March with student exhibitions, public artworks, art festivals, and school events.

Established in 1961 by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), the creators sought to emphasize the value children derive from art education. Today Youth Art Month is coordinated nationally by the Council for Art Education (CFAE).

3Doodler is delighted to support the visual arts and inspire young creators to use their imagination and bring their ideas to life. Explore Youth Art Month activities and learn how to engage with 3Doodler’s community to celebrate the visual arts!


New York Youth Art Month Poster New York Youth Art Month Poster

Your Art, Your Voice

This year participants will recognize the month through the theme “Your Art, Your Voice.” In addition, participating states host various activities, from a state flag design contest, local and state Youth Art Month proclamations, and art shows at state capitals and legislative buildings.

The celebration is intended to bring attention to visual art’s value in developing critical thinking skills, raising multicultural awareness, and encouraging technical, communication, and expression skills.

The Texas Art Education Association kicks off Youth Art Month with a Big Art Day, where grades K-12 participate in art events across the state. Big Art Day will take place on March 2, 2023, featuring 1,000 art activities.

In Illinois, students participate in a statewide art show hosted by the Illinois Art Education Association. The submissions are reviewed by a panel of judges who select 45 participants to feature in a statewide slide show that travels across the state.

Visit the Council for Art Education to learn more about Youth Art Month events and activities in your state.

Inspiring Young Artists

3Doodler looks to inspire young artists in the classroom and at home through lessons, projects, stencils, tutorials, and more. All these resources are readily available in the 3Doodler resource library and the 3Doodler App.

The 3Doodler App is a great way to encourage budding artists to expand their ability to draw and create in 3D. Through the app, young artists will find stencils, tutorials, and other art prompts to jumpstart their creativity. Plus, they can share their latest doodle creations with the community via an online gallery. The photos featured are from Doodlers like you. In addition, fellow artists can comment on shared designs and offer support. It’s a fantastic way to build community and celebrate art.

Explore Your Creativity

Get started by creating one of the following projects to celebrate Youth Art Month!

Collage Display

Small 3D pen art - bulletin board with photos and phone.
Create a wall display for some of your favorite artwork. Hang it in your room or a common area in your home to celebrate artistic expression all year!

Get Started


Action Figure

Black bug with yellow and red wings on white surface 3d pen art
Design and personalize your action figure to represent your art and your voice. Use our stencil to start with the basic shape and add details all your own!

Get Started


Keepsake Box

3Doodler creates blue pattern on small wooden ring box
Personalize a box for one-of-a-kind keepsakes, jewelry, or other items you want to keep safe. Follow our pattern using your favorite colors, or create a unique design!

Get Started

We’re excited to see what you create during Youth Art Month. Use our project ideas or create free-hand to share your art in your voice. Share your projects with @3Doodler or tag #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate!

Artist Spotlight: Cornelia Kuglmeier

Cornelia Kuglmeier is an amazing 3D pen artist and educator whose talent and techniques are some of the most creative and unusual.

She’s a highly knowledgeable 3D pen art community member who shares her doodling tips freely. Connie’s design approach turns fantasy into reality. You’ve no doubt seen some of her incredible Doodles on our Instagram. In addition to the content she posts on her Instagram, she’s also shared some incredibly detailed and helpful tutorials on her YouTube channel that explore creative tips and tricks to test out with a 3D pen.

This week we’ve partnered with Connie to reimagine the Pisces symbol from an artist’s perspective. Learn how she designed the piece and explore her 3D pen art tips and tricks!

Finding Creative Freedom

As Connie explains it, designing in 3D offers her artistic freedom. She can create anything she can dream up. And, if she’s working on a project and doesn’t care for something or is struggling to get the exact look she wants, she finds the plastic is easy to heat and remove to remold.

“Creating in 3D gives me infinite freedom. There’s just no limit,” said Connie. “You can draw lines into thin air if you like drawing, you can design pieces flat and assemble them if you’re into modeling and architecture, you can mix techniques, you can bend the plastic pieces with hot air, you can smudge the plastic with your pen’s nozzle, or you can bake and melt it into sheets. The creative possibilities are endless.”

Connie also likes to see where the process takes her. While designing, she never knows what might happen. So she takes every opportunity to try a new idea or test a new technique.

“I look forward to seeing where the experience will take me, and what I’ll discover next,” said Connie. “I love to delve into small things, try not to overlook things, and create pieces that give my audience many things to discover.”

  • 3D dog drawings on two paper pieces
  • Purple flower on paper with 3D fish and man
  • 3Doodler art: Fish, purple/yellow flowers, ruler
  • Colorful fish design created with 3D pen
  • 3D pen art: Paper plate with red and green flower

Pisces Design Inspiration

Connie doesn’t follow zodiac signs closely, but she enjoys reading her horoscope from time to time. She’s an Aries and enjoys reading about the traits related to her sign to see if any match her personality, and some do.

“When I began working on the pisces piece, I looked up the astronomical sign and when I saw it was a fish I immediately had something colorful in mind,” said Connie. “I envisioned a fish with long fins, to show the floating, waving, weightlessness of those animals. I imagined them swimming in the air just like they do under water.”

Connie thought about using a coy or betta fish. When she was younger, she had a betta fish and was already familiar with it. Bettas also have long fins and come in a wide variety of colors. Connie knew she had a winner!

Aspiring Doodlers Take Note

Connie is a phenomenal 3D artist whose techniques and creativity inspire a community of Doodlers. Her suggestions for anyone looking to gain skills with a 3D pen are pretty simple.

“Work with the 3D pen. Seriously, if you browse my Instagram, I posted one of my first creations there, said Connie. “It was a clumsy little birdie, made with the first 3Doodler 3D pen. I was so extremely proud of it that day.”

Connie explains that working with hot plastic and getting a feel for a 3D pen can be daunting. But, the more you work with it, the less afraid you will be about what could go wrong and the more intrigued you become to see what more you can do. She recommends starting small by picking something simple or something you can try to recreate.

“It’s really important to use the 3D pen,” said Connie. “The more you use it, the more comfortable you are with its shape in your hand, the way it functions, the plastic and different filaments. You’ll gradually find the technique that suits you best.”

Once you become comfortable with the pen, Connie recommends trying the nozzle set. She used it for this project to create the fins and scales. Next, she attached the scales by melting them onto the body with the hot pen tip.

“For these fish, I used the angled nozzle to draw those ultra-thin, almost see-through fins, and the shiny scales,” said Connie. “The nozzle set is a great way to spice up your projects, if you find yourself looking for something new!”

As far as what to expect next from Connie, she’s happiest when experimenting and learning something new. In addition, she enjoys creating hyper-realistic pieces, like giant butterflies, and makes a nice piece of fan art now and then.

“Currently, I am working on detailed, monochrome pieces,” said Connie. “I’m mixing plants with animal traits and supersizing small things. My artistic style is always evolving as I learn new things.”

  • Colorful paper flowers on a 3D pen drawing board, fish 7.
  • Red and green fish 3D pen art on white surface

More artist features coming up. We can’t wait to see what you create with all these fantastic tips. Share your creations with us on Instagram or tag #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The civil rights movement was a fight for equality for African Americans under the law in the United States. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the movement along with other civil rights activists in the 1950s and 1960s.

Revisit the history of the moment and engage students in an important classroom discussion about the work of Dr. King and other civil rights leaders. As you explore historic events, consider creating the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, which was the site of the Selma-Montgomery March in 1965.


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks at the 1955 bus boycott. (National Archives) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks at the 1955 bus boycott. (National Archives)

Civil Rights Movement

Slavery was abolished at the end of the Civil War, but it didn’t end discrimination against Black people in the United States. The fight for equality would begin in earnest in the mid-20th century and continue for the next two decades.

After reconstruction, the South implemented a series of “Jim Crow” laws to erase gains made after the Civil War. The laws restricted voting rights for African Americans, banned interracial relationships and allowed businesses to separate clientele based on race.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white male passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Police arrested Parks, and word of her situation spread quickly, igniting a series of protests. As a result of her act, Parks is known as the “mother of the modern-day civil rights movement.”


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the March on Washington. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the March on Washington.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In response to Parks’ arrest, Black community leaders in Alabama formed the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the MIA, a role that put him front and center in the fight for civil rights.

Through King’s leadership, the African American community experienced more progress toward racial equality in 13 years than in the past 350 years. Dr. King took inspiration from his faith and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi to lead a nonviolent resistance that included protests, grassroots organizing, and civil unrest.

King was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 to provide organizational leadership to the civil rights movement. In 1963, he led a coalition of groups in nonviolent protest in Birmingham, Alabama. The brutality that ensued by the city’s police force led to national outrage. Later that same year, King led the March on Washington, where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to an audience of a quarter-million people.

King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at 35. Also, in 1964, due in part to the March on Washington, Congress passed a landmark Civil Rights Act ending legal racial segregation in the U.S. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act a year later, in 1965, a result of the Selma to Montgomery, AL March for Voting Rights.


The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

Relive a Moment in History: Selma to Montgomery

In January 1965, Dr. King led a coalition of activist groups to call for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, where despite repeated attempts, only two percent of Black voters were registered. The campaign saw mass arrests but little violence until February. Then, in Marion, Alabama, state troopers joined local police to break up a march. A state trooper shot a protester who later died from his wounds.

In response to the death, activists set out to march from Selma to Montgomery. While Dr. King was in Atlanta, Hosea Willams and John Lewis led the march. The marchers made their way through Selma across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. A blockade of state troopers and law enforcement officers ordered the marchers to disperse. When they refused, the troopers attacked the crowd with clubs and tear gas. Television coverage of the event, “Bloody Sunday,” as it became known, sparked national outrage.

On March 21-25, 1965, Dr. King participated in a federally sanctioned march from Selma to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with Dr. King and other civil rights leaders on August 6, 1965.

Make a bridge through history by recreating the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 3D. It’s an opportunity to learn from events of the past and understand the legacy of Dr. King and other civil rights leaders. The 3Doodler tutorial and stencil provides a straight-forward way to recreate this historic bridge.

Share your experience with us and tag @3Doodler or #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate on social.

 

Celebrating Creators, Makers, Artists

3Doodler is kicking off 2023 by celebrating our community of creators, makers, and artists. Over the years, a highlight of our work is to share 3D printing ideas and art that comes directly from you.

As we head into a new year, 3Doodler will look to collaborate with artists, educators, and entrepreneurs to explore ways we elevate creativity. But, of course, it’s also important to inspire new creators. With that in mind, we’ll share accessible stencils, tutorials, and more to support budding artists.

Let’s take a quick look back to revisit the projects and artists who inspired you the most. Plus, we’ll share a quick project to jump-start creativity in 2023.

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for."-Georgia O'Keeffe Share

Dina Velikovskaya

Two men standing by tree with rope - creative 3D pen drawing.
Dina is an animation artist and director who produced “Ties,” an animated short film that debuted in 2019. The film, released to the public in 2022, explores the connection between parents and their children. A young woman leaves home to see the world. Her parents are left behind, and their world changes without her.

Dina also shared a behind-the-scenes look at creating the film using a 3D pen. First, all the characters were created using a 2d digital drawn animation technique and then outlined with a 3D pen. The result was sets of flat plastic figures. Next, the director filmed the figures frame by frame in a stop-motion set, along with wire objects.

Rick Martinez

Man sculpting human head with 3D pen art
Rick works in sculpture, painting, and photography and frequently shares his insights on working in 3D. Rick’s latest installation, titled “Memento Vivere,” gained worldwide attention as an interactive multi-disciplinary project that uses light, technology, and science to express an idea. This larger-than-life exhibit consists of a series of electroluminescent cables arranged in a skull structure that Rick designed with a 3D pen. The sectors of the installation light up as people interact with the display.

Rick continues to push the boundaries of art and technology with his creative use of materials. Keep an eye out for a 3Doodler collaboration with Rick later this month!

Cornelia Kuglmeier

3D pen art: Snowflake, dragonfly, and flower on white surface

Connie is a 3D pen artist who shares her passion for 3D art and tips of the trade freely with the community. She is constantly exploring new creative techniques with outstanding results. Her work has been featured often with the 3Doodler community to provide insight and guidance on using a 3D pen to its full potential. For example, we recently shared Connie’s tips for achieving the perfect petal. To see her mastery of 3D application, look no further than a multidimensional snowflake. The use of color, layering, and overall technique are incredible.

See more of Connie’s helpful tips and tutorials on her YouTube channel, where she shares loads of doodling advice.

Edwin Ramirez

Blue sea creature sculpture with fish, 3D pen art

Edwin is a multimedia artist who shares incredible wearable 3D creations. Each is a delicate piece of art, from jewelry to theatrical masks and other accessories. Edwin exhibited at a range of galleries in Kentucky, including recent shows at Kore Gallery (“The Education of Desire” and “Unknowns: Artists you Should Know”), as well as part of the ongoing traveling exhibition “Our Kentucky Home: Hispanic/Latin American art in the Commonwealth” curated by The Kentucky Arts Council. Musicians, models, and entomologists have all worn his designs. It is a delight to see his creations take form in 3D. Be sure to explore more of his work in the year ahead!

Spark Creativity in 2023

Now that you’ve seen a small sample of our vibrant community, we invite you to make this your year of 3D creativity. Get started by creating a custom work of art for home using our go-to phrase. What will you create?

Get the Stencil


Doodling a quote on canvas with a 3D pen art

We want to hear from you. How can we support you in your 3D journey? What tools and tips do you need to kick off a year of creativity? Tell us. Tag #3Doodler.

New Year’s Eve Party Ideas

Ready to celebrate the start of a new year? We’ve rounded up a bunch of creative ideas to make party planning fun and easy with party props everyone will enjoy.

Gather a group of family or friends to reflect on the year and gear up to make new memories in 2023. It’s always an excellent way to close out one year and start another. Depending on the size of the group, you can make a few fun props to share or customize one for each guest. Ring in the new year in style with 3D creations. Let’s go!

Party Hat

3D pen art: 3 ice cream cones with colorful toppings on white surface.

Party hats create a celebratory mood and a festive way to set the scene! Find ways to upcycle party hats with a few creative tips from 3Doodler. Adding a dash of 3D design is a surefire way to make designs pop. Attach it to a headband or use it as a classic party hat. The choice is yours!

Make a Party Hat


Photo Booth Props

Vibrant 3D pen power lines in the sky

Get together and make memories with silly photos and photo booth props. Consider custom colors to match the theme of your party. These classic designs include word bubbles, glasses, a hat, and a tie. Make one or all!

Create Photo Props


Goofy Glasses

Patterned glasses, 3D pen art

The 3Doodler library is full of crafty glasses from retro to classic styles. We chose this pair of party glasses that are sure to spark a conversation. Custom colors will make these shades pop. Inspire friends with your creativity!

Create Glasses


Cupcake Toppers

3D pen art: Cupcakes with chocolate frosting and decorations

Dessert is on the menu with fun cake or cupcake toppers featuring New Year’s Eve designs. Balloons, fireworks, champagne flutes, and a champagne bottle are the perfect decoration for tasty cupcakes. These are super simple to make and add a dash of sparkle as you ring in the new year!

Create Glasses



The 3Doodler team wishes our community of creators a happy, healthy, and exciting start to 2023. Share your party designs with us @3Doodler or tag #3Doodler and #WhatWillYouCreate.

 

Make the Future in 3D with the 3Doodler Maker Bundle

Must-Have Kit for Creative Kids Who Thrive on Design Challenges With Everything They Need to Design and Build in 3D

3Doodler is delighted to present two new Maker Bundles this holiday season geared toward young inventors looking for creative, easy-to-use arts and crafts tools with a techy twist. These all-in-one kits introduce kids of all ages to 3D printing and hands-on problem-solving.

3Doodler Maker Bundle

  • Cplus Maker box: 3D pens
  • Person holding 3D pen with craft kit box

The 3Doodler Start+ Maker Bundle (ages 6-13) and 3Doodler Create+ Maker Bundle (age 14+) provide hours of hands-on play with new challenges that progress from beginner to experienced designed to spur critical thinking. Once they’ve mastered the challenge cards, kids will go on to create new projects of their own imagination or access 3Doodler’s extensive library of stencils, tutorials, and lessons.

Each Maker Bundle includes the 3Doodler Start+ or Create+ 3D printing pen, tons of refill strands (either Eco-Plastic or PLA), and a set of nine project ideas for hours of inventing.

All New Projects

  • Girl creating green toothbrush 3D pen art at table
  • Brochure with 3D pen art: plant in pot

The 3Doodler Maker Challenge Cards are an ideal way for young creators to gradually increase the level and complexity of their designs. The set of cards features a 3D rhino, a custom woven basket or pencil case, and even a crafty flip book.

Each Challenge Card includes step-by-step instructions and an easy-to-access video tutorial for visual learners. All of the projects are compatible with any 3Doodler 3D pen.

Endless screen-free creation with a push of a button is now in the palm of their hands. Watch their imagination take off with an open-and-go 3D drawing experience like no other. Kids will make the future as they see it with this all-in-one kit!

Holiday Gifting Made Easy

It may be hard to believe, but holiday season is here. While we may not having started searching for the perfect gift for everyone on our list, there is a festive feeling in aisles of most retailers you visit right now and holiday catalogs are hitting mailboxes everywhere. In fact, the Toy Insider named 3Doodler Start+ Maker Bundle a Top Holiday Toy this year and featured the product in its annual holiday gift guide. This is the 17th edition of the holiday gift guide featuring a brand-new selection of fun games, educational toys, and character items. It’s a great place to start your search for the kids on your list!

Lessons in Creativity: ELA & Literacy in 3D

Finding new ways to differentiate classroom content to appeal to all learners is a tough task. Adding a dose of creative exploration can help inspire even the most reluctant learners. This set of ELA lessons offer a little something for everyone with a good amount of flexibility to adapt to the needs of each student.

Each of these lessons was curated by our community of teachers who took care to align to content standards. So, while students are busy creating mini masterpieces, you know they are also gaining critical content and learning to apply it through a project-based experience.

Each lesson is set for a grade level span and offers resources to tailor it further. So, are you ready to teach compound-words, character trait development, and even the vocabulary and elements from the periodic table in 3D? Let’s get started!

Grade K-2: Compound Words

Understanding compound words can help build student confidence, improve vocabulary, and expand literacy skills. There are various ways to tackle this topic from worksheets and crosswords to more hands-on fun pairing words together. Take this lesson off the page with a 3Doodler method to explore compound words. First, students work in pairs to form compound words. Each partner will create a stencil to illustrate one of the words in the compound word and doodle it. It’s a creative, memorable way to understand a new concept and increase vocabulary.

Colorful 3D pen masks on a detailed wall design

Grade 3-5: Developing a Character

Character development is a critical skill to master as students explore short-form narratives and fictional writing. By understanding a character’s actions and emotions, they build comprehension too. Working together, in this lesson, students will create a story character and related characteristics. Next, they will be able to bring their character to life in 3D. Finally, they will write a short narrative based on inferences. Expanding on this experience, the Kennedy Center offers a unique spin that encourages students to dramatize their character for an audience.

Grade 6-8: Elemental Superheroes & Supervillians

  • Silver surfer in front of a sun, created with a 3D pen.
  • Man in green costume, hands on hips, in 3D drawing
  • Cartoon: Cobaltman in blue suit with 3D pen art baseball bat

Integrate arts, science, and ELA in a unique lesson that will have everyone excited to participate. While this lesson focuses on science by studying the periodic table, it also encourages literacy, language, art skills. Students work together to research and write about an element on the periodic table. Then, using a 3Doodler 3D pen, they will design a superhero or supervillain mask to illustrate the qualities of their periodic element. Add to the intrigue by having each team of students create a riddle to have their peers guess which element the mask represents. Look at comic book characters through the years and see which ones were actually based on periodic table elements!

 

Show us how you bring creativity to the classroom with hands-on ELA lessons and activities tagging @3Doodler #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.

  

 

The Ins and Outs of the Perfect Doodle

3Doodler’s line of 3D printing pens make it easier than ever to start designing with just a few simple steps, but the real key is learning tips and tricks to use the pen to its full advantage.

It can be challenging to go from a simple idea on paper to creating a 3D shape. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite tried and true methods for creating in 3D. Design tips for anything you may dream up!

3D pen drawing on paper: Tip pulling and pushing to create a line.

The Perfect Pen Stroke

Whether writing with a traditional pen or a 3D pen there really isn’t a perfect stroke. It’s all about the style that you’re looking to achieve. Strong and bold. Light and airy. With a few simple tweaks you can get just the right finish. In fact, with a 3Doodler 3D printing pen you will want to test out your style. Check the pen speed. The height from the surface you are writing on. And, even the direction you write while using the pen. Take a look and see what a difference it can make to push or pull the pen with this tip as you create in 3D!

3Doodler pen drawing a star with stencil on paper

Plan Ahead

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your 3D structure likely won’t be either! It’s important to plan ahead to the extent that you can. The 3Doodler team follows this critical step too with designs like the Brooklyn Bridge, Eiffel Tower, and even a pretzel. Start by drawing what it is you would like to create. Then, see if you can break it down into smaller elements. Having a clear plan or blueprint could be the ticket to success. Check it out!

Artist painting car with 3D pen

Finishing Touch

There’s a certain amount of detail in every design that makes it truly unique and eye-catching. Perhaps you ran out of a favorite color filament or need a small amount of color in a few areas. Consider using acrylic paint to make these quick adjustments and create custom details. You’ll be surprised to see how a little paint can go a long way to finishing off your design to great effect. See how you can use paint as a finishing touch.

Patience and Persistence

Professional 3Doodler artists also have their share of quick tips to share with those new to doodling. Their advice often comes down to two things — patience and persistence. Trying different techniques and enjoying the journey is all part of the experience. “Don’t forget you can cut off or meltdown your mistakes,” points out Rachel Goldsmith, a New York and Seattle based artist.

 

Share your own tips with us! @3Doodler #3Doodler #WhatWillYouCreate.