Idle Hands and Early Prototypes
During the pandemic, I found myself with some extra time at home. In the fall of 2021, I decided to build something special: a Roll-Off-Roof Observatory in my backyard. I imagined it as a place where people could gather, look at the stars, and see a much bigger world.
After the construction of the observatory, had several leftover bags of drywall plaster from building the observatory. While working on the drywall, I noticed spattered drywall mud on the floor. It looked like moon craters! Remembering how I used to draw pictures of the moon and make clay models of craters in the ’80s, I had an idea. Could I use the leftover mud to make art for the blank wall?
Big Ideas. Bigger Prototypes
Utility often inspires creativity. I captured a series of photographs of the southern section of a gibbous moon, using them as references to sketch the initial prototype.
Throughout the process, progress photos were shared on social media, where friends offered encouragement and support.
By the winter of 2022, the original “Moon Frame” was complete.
Well, that Escalated Quickly
After posting a few progress photos on Facebook, we received numerous inquiries within hours from people interested in having unique pieces for their offices or living rooms. Our initial prototypes varied: some featured LED lighting, while others were smaller and designed to shine under natural or overhead lighting. Recognizing the potential of our creations, which we dubbed “Moon Frames,” we decided to keep producing more each month.
Can you make models of real-world places?
Customers have diverse preferences, with some leaning towards artistic designs while others seek real-world data. After some investigation, we discovered that NASA freely provides the data needed from its website, thanks to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter‘s extensive mapping since 2009. These maps are incredibly detailed, allowing us to even spot Apollo astronauts’ footprints from space.
Initially, we experimented with 3D printers, but the quality and costs were too high. Eventually, we found a solution: importing the data into a CNC router capable of creating detailed terrains. After testing hundreds of prototypes, we finally succeeded in accurately modeling our celestial neighbor, the Moon.
So, What's Next?
We launched the “Xterra” ecommerce website on April 1, 2023, offering a few limited-run models of the Moon. As newcomers, we’re still learning to build and operate the spaceship simultaneously. To manage costs, we’ll focus on smaller models, but we’ll still take on large, commissioned projects and explore exciting places on Earth and Mars. Your feedback and support mean a lot to us, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
