I Took a Much-Needed Break: Sicily, Volcanoes, and the Surprising Efficiency of My Order System and 3d Printing Workflow!

When Work, Life, and 3d Miniature Printing and Painting Collide

After a long period of work, modeling, and juggling family life, it was time for a break. So, my family and I packed our bags and set off for a well-deserved holiday exploring the beautiful Aeolian Islands and Milazzo in Sicily, Italy.

As someone who’s usually deep into Warhammer 40k, Space Marines, and everything related to miniature painting, it’s not easy to switch off. I spend my days designing and hand-painting exclusive miniatures for dressart3D.com – Unique 3dPrinted Painted Miniatures & merch, and this was my first extended time away from my workstation and tools in quite a while.

Taking a break @ dressart3d.com

The Itinerary – Exploring Sicily and Its Volcanic Neighbors

We managed to visit nearly all the Aeolian Islands – all except Alicudi and Filicudi. Highlights included:

• Castello di Lipari in Lipari
• The dramatic, rumbling presence of Stromboli, with its live volcanic activity
• La Piscina di Venere in Milazzo – a natural sea pool that was absolutely magical
• The majestic Castle of Milazzo and the calm of the West Beach

Every location was bursting with character, and while I had a blast exploring, I’ll admit—my mind occasionally wandered back to my hobby desk and a few Warhammer 40k Space Marine and Trench Crusade kits waiting for my attention.

Behind the Scenes – My Worry About Order Automation

One thing that kept tugging at my mind during the trip was whether the automated system for handling orders at dressart3D.com would work smoothly in my absence.

Would someone get a delayed delivery?

Would an order get lost?

Thankfully, the system exceeded my expectations. Not only did it handle everything smoothly, but many orders were actually delivered before I even got back home!

Between July 7th and July 15th, 2025, several amazing people placed orders for exclusive miniatures, t-shirts, and other unique merch—and all of those went through flawlessly.

The only exception was a couple of hand-painted Planetar Dungeon and Dragons miniatures that couldn’t be shipped while I was away. Those were sent out first thing upon my return, and I’ve already followed up with the customers via mobile to let them know. (Thanks for your patience!)

Taking a break @ dressart3d.com

3D Printing Projects Waiting Back Home

Back in the studio, I was excited to dive right back into the projects left on hold. I’ve got new 3D printing designs inspired by darker settings (yes, fans of Trench Crusade-style miniatures, you know what I mean). These will soon be available fully painted, exclusively at dressart3D.com.

This break also gave me the mental space to plan out some improvements for my next Space Marine builds and even a few new Warhammer 40k terrain projects. Sometimes, stepping away from the desk gives you a whole new perspective on what’s possible in your next build.  More over the needed rest, never seen before views and in particular the places I visited, might have just given me the inspiration for my greatest project yet.  It’s a bit early yet but expect loads on new miniatures all with an original theme behind them.

Taking a break @ dressart3d.com

Reflecting on Miniatures, Community, and Balance

It’s funny how even while walking through a medieval Sicilian castle or watching lava spurt from Stromboli, I kept thinking of new ways to paint weathered armor or how to design that next Space Marine banner for one of my upcoming diorama pieces.

But I also realized something else: it’s important to recharge. Whether you’re a hobbyist, collector, or tabletop gamer, stepping back from the grind helps you return with new energy and fresh eyes. And trust me, there’s some exciting work coming very soon.

Taking a break @ dressart3d.com

Support Means More Than You Know

Your purchases and support at dressart3D.com help keep this little world of hand-crafted, story-driven models alive. Every time you pick up an exclusive miniature or wear one of our original t-shirts, you’re helping me push forward with more unique projects—and I’m truly thankful for that.

If you’re a fan of Warhammer 40k, Space Marines, or beautifully painted 3D printed figures, don’t forget to check out our exclusive shop. New models, stories, and merch are always in the pipeline.

Final Thoughts

The trip to Sicily was unforgettable, but coming back to my bench felt just as good. I’ve got new brushes ready, the airbrush compressor humming, and several STL files waiting to bring my new 3D printing visions to life.

Thanks again for your ongoing support. Stay tuned for new releases, behind-the-scenes looks, and some cinematic paintjobs that will take your tabletop collection to the next level.

And hey—if you’re wondering whether you’re more “Faithful” or “Heretic”… you might want to see what’s coming next. 😉

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Thanks with a Gift!

Thanks for sticking with this long read.  If you managed to arrive to this point I sincerely think that you found this reading an interesting one and I really appreciate it.  As a small token for your interest, may I remind you that if you simply create an account with our online show you will be instantly given a one time, no expiry 10% Discount Coupon.  You will be able to find it in the coupon section of the My Account Section in the links section above.

Thanks for appreciating our Art!