Important Announcement

Sonja had her doctor’s appointment, and unfortunately, the news wasn’t good.

The stress and workload from the past two months have really taken a toll on her health.
Her doctor expressed serious concerns, even warning that if she continues at this pace,
she might not be around for our anniversary in May. After many long conversations, I’ve made a decision,
one I refuse to waver on. I am not willing to lose my wife. Because of that, Design Creations will be stepping back.
While Sonja may still have some extra filaments available for sale and may occasionally share a print, design,
or woodworking piece, Design Creations will return to being a hobby rather than a full blown business.
Her health and well-being will always come first, and I know this is the right choice.
We do deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we truly appreciate
your understanding and support. Please keep Sonja in your thoughts as we prioritize her recovery.

Thank you all for being a part of this journey with us.

~Nikki

Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to share a little personal update
and what it means for the future of Design Creations.

First off — let’s be honest — Nikki is absolutely the boss around here. As they say, Happy Wife, Happy Life. After spending 20 years as a medic and firefighter, I’ve always been the type to push through and ignore my own health concerns. But recently, between some pointed warnings from my doctor and Nikki’s concerned (and very persuasive) stare, I’ve had to face the fact that I can’t keep running at full speed without paying the price.That brings me to some changes we’re making — not an ending, but an adjustment.

We’re shifting things around a bit. Nikki will be moving to an ADA-accessible suite downstairs, and I’ll be settling back into our original space. It won’t be a full-blown shop anymore, but more of a creative studio. We’ll still be here, still making, and still part of this awesome community — just at a slower, healthier pace.

Here’s what you can expect moving forward:

Flexible Studio Hours — We’ll be around working on projects and happy to share our experience and knowledge.
Local Supplies — We’ll have a selection of resins and filaments available for local purchase.
Custom Work — We’ll be accepting a handful of design and print commissions for folks who need specific machines, sizes, or an extra hand with their project.
Community Events — We’re planning to host occasional Paint Nights and small Game Nights (Nikki’s even expressed interest in joining an RPG campaign!).

This wasn’t an easy decision for me. I joke that Murphy’s Law has been chasing me lately just to make sure I finally "saw the light." But I know this is the right move for my health, for Nikki, and for the long-term future of Design Creations.We’re not going anywhere. We’re just taking a smaller bite and shifting our focus.Looking ahead, I’m also hoping to expand in new ways — possibly offering some hands-on STEM activities and maybe even putting together a small mobile setup we can take to local libraries, events, and schools.

Thank you all for your ongoing support. This community means the world to us, and we’re excited to keep creating, teaching, and sharing — at a pace that keeps us both healthy and happy.

Stay Creative,
Sonja & Nikki
Design Creations

3D Design

I started exploring 3D design in the early 2000s with GMax and Flight Simulator 2004. After a prolonged period of trial and error, I finally became proficient in the program and began creating simple objects. From there, I transitioned to AutoDesk 3DS Max, which offered a more extensive feature set, and continued to build upon my skills.

Miniature Models

While killing time and playing around with Nikki's PS4, I stumbled upon Twitch. Although I'd heard about it before, I had never visited the site until then. My first follow was a fellow from the UK who created and painted model tanks. That caught my attention right away! Next, I followed another mini-painter who was not only entertaining but also eager to share tips and tricks. His enthusiasm was infectious, and soon enough, he inspired me to try my hand at painting miniature models too!

Technology

I was introduced to my first computer in the early 1980s, a massive and powerful IBM 8086. On this behemoth, I spent hours playing a text-based space game called "Starfleet." Yes, it was a cheesy play on Star Trek, but I didn't care - it was mostly text-based with some ASCII characters arranged to create simple graphical components. Hey, I was young, impressionable, and it was a computer!

Traditional Woodworking

My grandfather was a skilled and exceptionally talented wood carver and model shipbuilder. From him, I developed a love for woodworking and an appreciation for nautical wonders. While I may not possess the same level of talent as my grandfather, it's certainly enjoyable to try!

3D Printing

In 2020, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were fortunate enough to receive an unexpected windfall. We decided to dust off our old project, Design Creations, and transform our garage into a workshop/den. With new tools, including a GlowForge, 3D printer, and small CNC machine, we embarked on an exciting journey, exploring the possibilities of these innovative technologies.