February Hobby: When the Plan Changes (Again)

6 hours ago
3 min read

For February, I decided to create a book nook.

Simple. Cute. Wholesome little hobby.

Except… it was not simple. It was not quick. And it absolutely did not go according to plan — mostly because I did not have a plan.

I did, however, learn things. Many things.

Step One: Do Not Start Without a Plan (Ask Me How I Know)

My first move was to purchase a Book Nook shell from Michaels Canada for $15.

This felt responsible. Productive. Hobby-ish. And the price was reasonable.

It was also the wrong first step.

Buying the book nook before deciding the theme, style, layout, or literally anything else turns out to be… not ideal. After some discussion, Wil and I came to a very obvious conclusion:

You should plan the book nook first. Then figure out the size. Not the other way around.

Groundbreaking stuff, truly.

Step Two: Realizing I Have Extremely Specific Taste

One thing became very clear very quickly — my taste is particular.

There isn't much out there that fits what I want visually, which means that if I want it… I have to make it.

And by “make it,” I mean 3D print it.

This is how a book nook hobby quietly became a 3D printing hobby.

Step Three: Size Matters (Unfortunately)

I designed and printed tiny shelves with little compartments and drawers that actually open and close — which I was very proud of.

They were sized to fit the book nook shell I bought.

Which, in turn, created new problems.

The size is oddly specific
Finding other pieces to match that size is nearly impossible
Anything tiny enough to fit is also tiny enough to challenge my eyesight, patience, and sanity while painting

Turns out “adorably miniature” and “practical to work on” are not always friends.

Step Four: Pre-Planning Is Not Optional (I Tried)

Returning to the previously ignored concept of planning…

Pre-planning is vital.

You need to know:

What you want the book nook to feel like
What you want inside it
The scale
The layout
The vibe (very important)

Then you build.

Skipping this step leads to printing tiny furniture that may or may not belong anywhere. Ask me how I know.

Step Five: Surprise — February Became a 3D Printing Month

So February pivoted.

Instead of “Book Nook month,” it became 3D printing month, which honestly makes sense because I have printed a whole pile of things already.

We have:

A resin printer — excellent for tiny items and fine detail
A filament printer — better for larger pieces that don’t need microscopic perfection

Resin is beautiful but slower, messier, and more resource-heavy. Filament is practical. Less dramatic. A solid workhorse.

Like most things in life, it depends on what you’re making.

Where Things Are Now

I’ve printed shelves.Miniatures.Tiny objects that bring me unreasonable joy.

You’ll see photos of what I’ve made so far, and I still have more planned before the month ends. I’ll share final thoughts once February wraps up — including what worked, what didn’t, and what nearly sent me into a tiny-furniture rage spiral.

What Happens Next

The book nook is not cancelled.

It’s postponed.

Now that I understand scale, planning, and my own very specific taste, the actual book nook build will happen next month — this time with a plan, a vision, and hopefully fewer “why did I do this to myself” moments.

No promises, though.

That would be unrealistic.

Sidebar: Resin vs Filament — Why I Use Both

When it comes to 3D printing, not all printers are created equal.

A resin printer is ideal for tiny pieces and fine detail. Miniatures, small décor items, and anything intricate look significantly better with resin. The trade-off is that it takes more time, more materials, and a bit more patience (and cleanup).

A filament printer is better for larger pieces that don’t need microscopic detail. It’s faster, more practical, and perfect for structural items — like shelves, frames, and bigger components.

In simple terms:

Resin = detail

Filament = size and practicality

Both have their place, and apparently, I now use both.