Wouldn't You Think I'm the Girl Who Has Everything?

Look at this stuff! Isn't it neat? I posted a couple of videos on my YouTube channel several years ago showing off my collection, but it has grown quite a bit since then, especially after getting a castle of my own. As a self-proclaimed princess enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting additions to my collection. And let me tell you, I've hit the jackpot recently. From 3D prints of enchanted jewels to rare memorabilia from classic and upcoming princess movies, I've added some truly amazing items to my collection. My household recently invested in a 3D printer, and I've found that it's a fantastic tool for growing your princess collection with items that might be difficult to find online such as Magical Girl transformation wands, tiaras, and more. I also may have inherited some of Ariel's hoarding tendencies lately as a side effect of my hype for the upcoming remake of The Little Mermaid.

Having a 3D printer is a lot of work, but it can be very rewarding. Ours has three different stations that take up an entire desk--a printing station, a cleaning station, and a curing station, and they require lots of materials and maintenance. Purchasing a variety of resin colors and types can give each print its own unique personality. Creating fully customized prints requires knowledge of 3D modeling, which is a difficult skill that can take a lifetime to master. Even though I studied computer animation at the DAVE School years ago, I was never very good at it. Those of us who are not naturally skilled artists must turn to free models we can find online on websites such as Thingiverse or Cults3D. The coolest model I was able to find was a screen-accurate statue of Marina and her prince from the 1975 anime adaptation of "The Little Mermaid." Consequently, this was the first thing I printed. Grey resin was the perfect color for this statue since it meant I wouldn't have to paint the prince at all. I painted Marina using acrylics.

My next goal was to recreate the main enchanted jewels from one of my favorite shows, Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders. Since the show never released officially licensed versions of the enchanted jewels, I made my own as a child using posterboard and markers. I placed velcro on the backs so they would attach to my clothes like the ones in the show. Years later, one of my online friends sent me a Heart Stone and Moon stone that she made from resin. I decided to make my own now that I have the capacity to do so with the Sun Stone as my top priority. I found some similar-looking models online and was able to print a red translucent Heart Stone, a blue translucent Moon Stone, and yellow Sun Stone. Unfortunately, the yellow resin was not translucent, so I tried to enhance it with some gold metallic accents that I painted on with acrylics. I have acquired a bottle of translucent yellow resin since then, so I would like create an updated version in the near future. In the meantime, the jewels I printed embody the magic and wonder of riding the wild magic with Princess Gwenevere and her friends.

Since I'm not a master artist, I can't make everything myself. As such, there were a few things I had to order the old-fashioned way. Thanks to Amazon, I managed to get my hands on the necklace from Anastasia, a film that holds a special place in my heart. It's a stunning piece of jewelry that goes perfectly with my old music box, and it's a true testament to the power of love and hope that Anastasia embodies. Circling back around to The Little Mermaid, I was also lucky enough to acquire the full film script of the 1989 movie from Canterbury Classics. It's a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes information and fascinating insights into the making of this iconic film. I love being able to reference the concept art and storyboards that I've seen from the film's production over the years in one convenient book. Last but not least, I was beyond excited to get my hands on a Deluxe Mermaid Ariel Doll from the upcoming live-action version of The Little Mermaid. I was able to share her cool translucent watery stand with my Summer Seas Ariel doll, so the two can become friends on my shelf.

As I look at these new additions, I can't help but feel a sense of joy and wonder at the magic that to my collection. Each item holds a special place in my heart and serves as a reminder of the beauty and enchantment that the world of princesses offers. I can't wait to discover more treasures to add to my collection, and I would love to hear about the new items you have added to your own princess collections. Share your finds in the comments below, and let's continue to celebrate the magic of princesses together!