10/24/2026
The showrunner of The Mid-South Collectible Toy Show, Alexander Moody is a pretty cool dude, if you haven't worked with him before. I reached out to him with a question a bit ago and he gave me a very nice compliment, and it made me think back on this journey I've been on.It all started with a brown recluse bite on my first vacation of my adult life. For those that don't know, I started seriously 3D printing just over a year ago, and my first ever public show was The Mid-South Collectible Toy Show last December. I've been in customer facing roles, management, and run my own business in the past, but never as an artist putting something I made myself out in front of other people to be judged before. I was TERRIFIED. I think Alexander saw that a little, as he came to check on me several times throughout the day.
Whithin the first hour I had made double my table deposit, and was feeling a lot more at ease. My buddy showed up to hold the table down for me at about noon. It had been buuuusy. I went out to smoke and check where I was at saleswise, and I had passed my 'Ill be happy if I make $x' goal by about $100, and there were still a few more hours of the show left. I walked back in grinning, messed up teeth and all, and there was a large group of people huddled around my booth. My buddy looked overwhelmed. By the time business slowed down I was at about 2.5x the goal I had in mind. I knew then that I wanted to see where this was gonna lead me. I walked over and asked if I could sign up for the next one, but was too late, and vendor tables were already booked. I didn't let that discourage me and MADE SURE I got into the following one. I haven't missed one since, and plan on being at every one in the foreseeable future. Since that december show I've networked, helped other vendors, hit the road for some out of town events, and had a blast.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank Alexander, and each and every customer and vendor that has helped me to be able to keep doing this.
Some other special Shout-outs!
Andrew at Crooked Creek Custom Creations, an awesome and genius creator.
Omar Owens at Otaku Asylum, an awesome organizer, promoter, and plain cool dude!
Charles Temple and Matthew Brooks, bandmates and best friends!
Shirley Robinson and Charles Robinson, my amazing sister and her equally amazing husband. Shirley built my website and has given me countless opportunities and ideas
The Bluff City card show crew, generally awesome folks running a great show
Mia Minor her weird ideas have gotten me a lot of sales.
Leesa Watson, for her continued support and ability to make me introspective
Melissa Grace, for all her help and awesome art
Patricia Lawler, for ALWAYS being there
Shari Lawler-Waltz, for her emotional support and listening when I was very down
Erin Oliver at Fbrc8 LLC, for her guidance when I was starting out and even occassionally now
Kendall Rust at Legendary Layer3D for allowing me to clear out her broken printers and increase my capacity.
Aaron Kemp for walking out of a toxic community with me
Joe Johnson, my brother and oldest friend
Linnette Alvarado, a repeat customer turned business partner
Ashley Heisey, a student turned friend, who is going places in horror
Steven Hernandez, a student that shoots for the moon with every print
Stephanie Reynolds and Brittni Elaine Gonzalez, former coworkers that still find time to check up on me
Michelle Johnson , former work wife. I'd have probably starved to death if it werent for her
Daphne Brook, too much to sum up here.
Jonathan Little & Josephine Little, for running the best warehouse Ops and Planning could have asked for
Dawn and Rickie Brandon, for being awesome to my mom, and showing so much interest and support.
And every single person that has hired me for a pc repair or build, a print commission, or has made a purchase at a show, the website, or FB Marketplace.
I often say I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but y'all are the reason I know what I want to be right now.
Side note:
It occurs to me I never plug the website anymore:
Falling3ddesignstudio.com
Anyhow, rambling done, here is a dump of pics from this journey the last year. That green T rex was my very first 3D print ever. Unfortunately, I can't find pics of my first few shows, but it's pretty interesting to see the progression even in last 6 months. Lol.
Anyhow, sound off in the comments if I name dropped you! Chew me out in the comments if I forgot to name drop you! And mostly...COME TO THE SHOW TOMORROW IF YOU CAN!!!
