Andy Swick

they/them

Reading comfort
Text size A A A
Reduce motion
Appearance Light Dark Auto

Log

Everything I make, in one place: posts, tips, podcast episodes, talks, and whatever is on my LEGO table or 3D printer.

Subscribe to everything

or pick a feed per type below

August 2026

  1. Make

    3D print

    TARDIS key hook and Wallet holder

    finally I don't have a pile of crap on my desk

    In my new office, I wanted a way to organize my keys and wallet so I created a wallet holder to go next to my existing TARDIS key holder. I'm happy it came out well the first time! Since I no longer have access to my own 3D printer, I printed it at the Downers Grove public library.

    TARDIS key hook and Wallet holder

    A 3D-printed blue TARDIS key hook holding keys and a badge reel, next to a red and blue printed AirTag holder on the wall.

  2. Make

    Puzzle

    Finished puzzle

    Finished puzzle

    A finished jigsaw puzzle of an illustrated fantasy city by the sea, on a wooden table.

June 2026

  1. Moment

    Playing Symphony Center

    Yesterday I had the privilege of playing at the Chicago’s Symphony Center (where CSO plays). I’ve been in band almost continuously since 5th grade, but never thought I would be able to play at such a prestigious venue! Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band and the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony sounded great and I had such a blast making a dream I didn’t know I had come to life.

    Playing Symphony Center

    1 of 3 Andy in black concert clothes standing outside the Welcome to Symphony Center doors in Chicago.
    2 of 3 Andy taking a selfie on stage with the empty Symphony Center hall behind.
    3 of 3 Andy smiling backstage while holding a clarinet.

  2. Tip

    Keep Factories Simple

    If you need to remove things after creating a model using a factory, it's doing too much.

March 2026

  1. Make

    Art

    Bing Bang Boom

    For my girlfriend's birthday I took her and a friend to a spray painting class and it was so much fun! We will be going back in the future.

    Bing Bang Boom

    1 of 2 A spray-painted canvas reading Bing Bang Boom, with yellow balloons, a flying saucer beaming up a cow and a scaffolding pattern, leaning on a graffiti wall.
    2 of 2 Three people holding their spray-painted canvases in front of a graffiti-covered wall.

  2. Moment

    The They Jar - $1

    I've been living with my parents for about a month. After some difficult and emotional discussions my Dad decided to make a "They" Jar. Where he and my mom add a dollar every time they mess up my pronouns. It hasn't been that long, but I'm already noticing a difference, and it sure does make me feel loved.

    The They Jar - $1

    A glass jar on a wooden table, labeled The They Jar $1.

February 2026

  1. Moment

    Lakeside Pride Pops Ensemble Winter Concert

    This concert was a blast, we did a lot of fun songs like Golden, Legend of Zelda and a Sonheim medly.

    Lakeside Pride Pops Ensemble Winter Concert

    A concert band dressed in black sitting on stage with their instruments, smiling at the camera.

January 2026

  1. Make

    3D print

    3D-printed tray

    3D-printed tray

    1 of 3 A white 3D-printed tray with a large compartment, a narrow side slot and three round wells.
    2 of 3 A plain white 3D-printed tray next to two small printed stands.
    3 of 3 A failed print: the white tray covered in stringy strands of filament along one side.

December 2025

  1. Make

    LEGO

    LEGO winter village

    LEGO winter village

    1 of 13 A LEGO winter village on a table: a train track curves around a town square with a lit Christmas tree, a blue ice rink and colorful storefronts.
    2 of 13 Top-down view of the LEGO winter village, with the train track looping around white baseplates, buildings and a blue ice rink.
    3 of 13 A LEGO winter village street with snowy houses, a Christmas tree, a train station and a giant nutcracker beside the tracks.
    4 of 13 A raised LEGO village section with snowy chalets and a hot air balloon above a train tunnel carved into the hillside.
    5 of 13 LEGO minifigures playing hockey on a rink built from transparent and white bricks.
    6 of 13 Close-up of LEGO hockey players in green and blue jerseys on the rink, with the train track behind them.
    7 of 13 A LEGO minifigure in a red cap clearing snow with a yellow snowblower next to a Christmas tree.
    8 of 13 A red LEGO fire truck with its ladder raised outside the fire station, beside a glowing blue skating pond.
    9 of 13 A lit LEGO Christmas tree with colored lights and a gold star on a brick-paved square in front of a music shop.
    10 of 13 A LEGO mail carrier dropping a letter into a red mailbox, with lit buildings blurred behind.
    11 of 13 Overhead view of the LEGO fire station with red doors, the fire truck with its ladder raised and the skating pond.
    12 of 13 LEGO Spider-Gwen perched on a rooftop while another minifigure swings in on a web line.
    13 of 13 A LEGO music shop with purple trim, guitars in the window and a snowy roof at the edge of the village.

October 2025

  1. Talk

    Livewire in production

    Wire:Live 2025

    My first conference talk was at Wire:Live!

    Livewire in production

    1 of 3 A conference ballroom with an ornate gold ceiling and chandeliers, seen from behind the podium.
    2 of 3 A full room watching a talk at WIRE LIVE, with a slide reading Once upon a time on the screen.
    3 of 3 Speakers and organizers posing on the WIRE LIVE stage in front of the sponsor wall.

  2. Make

    Baking

    Apple Cider Donuts

    yummmmy

    Did you know how hard it is to find dairy free apple cider donuts? Well I found a recipe for one, picked the apples, made the apple sauce, bought new donut trays, and made these delicious fall treats.

    Apple Cider Donuts

    Two trays of freshly baked donuts on a white stovetop.
Reading comfort
Text size A A A
Reduce motion
Appearance Light Dark Auto