PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
Recommended Free Tools
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Maria Venegas combines digital sculpting and 3D printing with careful hand finishing to make friendly woodland-animal nightlights that look hand-carved. In a feature published by Make: on April 1, 2025, she described a process that moves from Blender modeling to print polishing, primer, acrylic paint and, with her husband’s help, USB-powered LED installation. The same blend of digital fabrication and traditional finishing shapes a toy series she was developing at the time.
What Maria Venegas makes
The featured nightlights depict an owl, fox, bunny and cat. Each combines a sculpted animal form with an LED light inside, giving the objects a warm, tactile appearance rather than the look of an untouched plastic print. Venegas also showed a little bear character from a toy series in progress.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
“The owl, fox, bunny and cat are nightlights that I designed and digitally sculpted in Blender. The little bear is part of a toy series that I am currently working on. The owl nightlight is probably my favorite one,” Venegas told Sam Freeman in Make:’s April 1, 2025 feature.
The profile reports that the lights are USB-powered. Its reporter notes that a battery bank can power a USB light, but cautions that these nightlights may not be practical as emergency lights. The feature does not specify their dimensions, LED ratings, wiring design or safety certification.
#1 Best Overall
- 【More Colors for More Projects】 Multiple compact 250g mini spools provide practical amounts of different colors for small prints, multicolor models, accent parts, and test prints. Explore more colors without filling your shelf with full 1kg spools or leaving large amounts of rarely used colors behind
- 【Easy to Print PLA】 Built for smooth printing with standard PLA profiles, low warping, and dependable layer adhesion. A practical everyday material for beginners and hobbyists making models, toys, decor, prototypes, and utility parts
- 【Neatly Wound for Reliable Feeding】 Precision winding supports smooth, consistent feeding and helps reduce snags and mid-print interruptions. Keep light tension on the filament end while loading or unloading, and secure it before storage to prevent loose loops
- 【Consistent Diameter and Steady Extrusion】 A consistent 1.75mm ±0.02mm diameter supports stable flow, even layers, and clean detail from the first layer to the final layer. Reliable extrusion means less time troubleshooting and more time printing
- 【Fits Most FDM Printers】 Designed for most 1.75mm FDM printers with external, top-mounted, or open spool holders. Each spool measures 140mm in diameter and 36mm in width, with a 53mm center hole. For Bambu Lab AMS or AMS lite, search MakerWorld for a compatible 250g spool adapter before use
How digital sculpture becomes a hand-finished object
Venegas’s process bridges two kinds of making: she creates the forms digitally, then gives the printed surfaces a more traditional, hand-worked finish. The sequence below reflects the workflow described in the 2025 feature, rather than an independently tested set of instructions.
- Model and sculpt digitally. Venegas says she designs and digitally sculpts the nightlights in Blender, shaping the animal forms before they are printed.
- 3D print the forms. The feature identifies the printer as a Bambu machine but does not name a model, filament grade or print settings.
- Polish the prints. Venegas says she uses a Dremel rotary tool to polish the sculpts. The article notes that PLA can melt when power tools are used; it does not provide a full tool-safety or finishing guide.
- Prime and paint by hand. She primes the forms and carefully applies acrylic paint, adding the color and finish that help the objects read as crafted, characterful pieces.
- Install the lighting and wiring. Venegas says her husband installs the LEDs and handles the wiring so the objects are ready to plug in as nightlights. The feature gives no electrical specifications or wiring diagram.
Venegas describes the work as collaborative: she handles the design and finishing, while her husband takes on the lighting installation and wiring. She calls it “a collaborative process that involves the use of traditional and digital mastery.”
Rank #2
- Upgrade PLA+ Filament: Compared to standard PLA+ filament, SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 is more resistant to brittleness and cracking, making your prints stronger and more durable
- Supports Fast Printing: The improved PLA+ filament melts quickly and flows smoothly, enabling printing speeds of up to 300mm/s. This allows you to complete projects faster without compromising on quality
- Easy to Use: SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 filament is reliable and user-friendly, making the printing process smooth and effortless for both beginners and experts
- 1.75mm PLA+ 2.0 Filament: SUNLU 3D printer filament offers a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm, making it compatible with nearly all 1.75mm FDM 3D printers
- Neatly Wound Filament: SUNLU introduces the first PLA filament with a neatly wound design. The consistent winding ensures there will be no tangling, or clogging during the printing process
Nature, warmth and a developing story world
Venegas connects the animals’ friendly character to her interest in nature and her willingness to move between media. “I am a designer and I enjoy experimenting with digital and traditional media. I love animals and nature and I am all about warm, heartfelt art,” she said in the Make: interview.
The bear, named Theo, was part of a larger narrative idea she was developing when interviewed. Venegas envisioned him as a traveler who makes memories around the globe, with postcards he “sends” to his friends after his adventures. She also described plans for more characters, props and vehicle sculpts, as well as a beaver nightlight prototype.
Rank #3
- Colorful Variety 4 Pack: Each color weighs 200 g, providing a total of 800 g. Dive into the vibrant world of 3D printing with AMOLEN silk multicolor PLA filament pack, featuring stunning shades. Even small models can display multiple colors
- Silk Dual Color PLA: Experiment with multiple hues without the commitment of larger spools. You can print beautiful multicolors in one PLA filament, perfect for arts, crafts, DIY. Whether you're crafting Easter decorations, designing Halloween costumes, creating Christmas ornaments, or making Valentine’s surprises, this filament delivers stunning results every time
- Precision Printing: Achieve flawless prints with shiny silk dual color PLA filament, engineered for ease of use and exceptional precision. With a product diameter of 1.75 mm and precision tolerance of +/- 0.02 mm, smooth and consistent results
- Smooth and Reliable Printing: Experience smooth printing with AMOLEN silk PLA filament. Good shaping, strong toughness, no bubble, no jamming, no warping, melt well, feed smoothly and constantly without clogging the nozzle or extruder
- After-sales Service: AMOLEN is focused on innovative and better quality 3d printing filaments. Stand behind the quality and performance of our 3D printer filament. Provide professional 3D printing technical guidance and good 24/7 customer service
Those were projects and plans she described in April 2025, not confirmation that the pieces were subsequently completed or are currently available. The feature does not establish whether Venegas sells the nightlights or where they can be purchased.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Why the finish matters
The appeal of these creations is not simply that they are 3D printed. Their character comes from the combination of a digitally controlled form and visible hand-finishing: polishing softens the printed surface, while primer and acrylic paint make room for a more deliberate, traditional look. That contrast is central to Venegas’s approach, which uses fabrication technology as a starting point for warm, expressive objects rather than as the final aesthetic.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【10 Rolls of 1kg 1.75mm PLA+ Filament, Multiple Color Choices】10 rolls of 1000g SUNLU 1.75mm PLA plus filament. Color: Black+White+Grey+Blue+Green+Orange+Red+PureYellow+GrassGreen+Blue Grey. The design of 1000g PLA+ filament is convenient for customers with multiple color needs. Especially for multi-nozzle 3d printer users and 3d pen users.
- 【SUNLU 100% Wound Neatly Filament】- SUNLU R&D team has mastered advanced technology and produced 100% Neatly Wound PLA+ Filament, which is impossible for other brands. No knot, no winding, improve printing efficiency.
- 【SUNLU PLA PLUS 3D Filament Advantages】- PLA PLUS filament is 10 times stronger than PLA Filament, the color is brighter, it has many advantages, Clog/Bubble/Tangle/Warping/Stringing free, easy to Use, better layer adhesion.
- 【1.75mm Diameter】- Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02mm. SUNLU filament has wide compatibility due to the small diameter error, it's suitable for almost all 1.75mm FDM 3D printers.
- 【Spool Diameter】- Spool Diameter: 8.00", Spool Width: 2.50", Spool Hub Hole Diameter: 2.20". The size of the SUNLU filament spool is suitable for hanging on many 3D printers.
Rank #4
- Cost-Effective Filament Bundle: Get 2 "1kg" spools of PLA filament for the price of 1 with classic black and white color
- Smooth and Stable Printing: Patented design and manufacturing process ensures smooth, clog-free printing
- Durable and Strong: Improved toughness and strength for printing functional parts
- Compatible with Most Printers: Works with 99% of FDM and FFF 3D printers with heated beds
- Renewable Material: Made from starch derived from renewable plant resources for environmental friendliness
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
