The M3D printer is here

So a while back (almost two years ago not) I supported a kickstarter campaign for a $200.00 FDM mico 3D printer.  I just got it in the mail today and so far.....I am not impressed.  

First, the box was thoroughly trounced/dented/squashed.  After I opened it I realized it didn't matter.  It was packed well.  Almost too well.  I think that whoever owns this company must have stock in packing tape because it had at least one entire roll of tape all over it.  So yeah, packed well but I would say WAY WAY OVERKILL ON THE TAPE.  I spent a lot of time scrapping tape off the thing just to get it un-boxed and ready to go.  When I opened the box, the only "instructions" that came with it, was a strip of paper with a URL to an "unofficial" youtube un-boxing video.  I was not shocked to find that the URL didn't work.

Moving on. 

Above the URL it says: "Remove all 3D printed parts, tape, bubble wrap and foam" Check! Next, is says "USB and power adapter are bundled inside.  Connect. Click. Print!"  

Uhhhhh....... no power cord?  It says it is supposed to be in the box.  It is not. 

So yeah, super excited and not super frustrated. 

Just a big green paperweight on my desk.  Not sure if it works or doesn't work. 

I guess I will have to wait another two weeks or so to get a power cord.  

Currently, I am not impressed.  

More things

I haven't been in the studio lately, which basically makes me grumpy.  I am on the tail end of an epic couple of months and I actually decided to take a short break.

Life has been insane and I was driving myself nuts.  Too many things going on inside my head and I was long over due for a vacation.  So we took one!  Liz and I went to Florida!  It was nice to visit with family and sit and clear my mind a bit. I had not been to the beach in years.  The sun put me in a better mood but I couldn't help think about all the time I could have spent in the studio.

I am not going to lie, it has been insane.  Before florida, I flew to RISD to do a lecture, then had my dad's memorial service in Virginia, then drove down to South Carolina (I juried an exhibition, gave a lecture and taught a workshop) then I went back to Boone to pick things back up after spring break.  I am looking forward to the summer.  Of course there is SNAG, a family reunion and teaching a workshop at Arrowmont.

So here a few quick things.  First, I have been working with a student in the tech department, researching modular jewelry and I have been "playing" with a few new designs. Second, some great photos of the Emergence, exhibition at Winthrop, University. Big thanks at Anne Fiala. Third, some great sunny photos from our vacation. Lastly, a few epic snow photos from Providence.

demos demos demos

I have been quiet on the blogging front. For good reason. Things have been intense lately. My father passed away not too long ago and I have been struggling with everything. Certain aspects of my day-to-day have been moving in slow motion while many other things are moving at light speed. I am having a hard time finding the energy or motivation to do anything. With a billion things happening at once, my head has been spinning. Unfortunately, life keeps moving with or without you. 

I need a break. 

Fortunately/unfortunately we have had an unprecedented amount of snow days here at Appstate.  Classes keep getting canceled.  As a matter of fact I think if you teach a Tuesday/Thursday studio we have missed five classes due to snow!  That, on top of the days I have missed being back home it makes it hard to catch up. So in an attempt to cover some information/time lost I have been frantically uploading demos to the class blog. 

Just as a side note I find it funny that some students, not all, tend to think that if class is canceled because of snow, you don't have to do anything thing for the rest of the semester.  Class was only canceled on that one day people! You still have the rest of the week to come in and work!  The studio is open eight hours a day, seven days a week not just on Tuesday and Thursdays from 8:00 - 11:00! 

This semester I am teaching Enameling, Metals 1 and Digital Fabrication for Studio Arts.  Getting the students motivated has been tough.  Without guidance they tend to flounder.  I don't blame them.  When you are a one person area there is an vacuum when the leader goes missing.  The advanced students have been stepping up to do demonstrations which has been amazing.  I just wish I could be there to help.