What We Learned at Sierra Vista Art in the Park 2026
After two busy days, Sierra Vista’s Art in the Park 2026 has come to a close—and we had a wonderful time. This was Soft Thorn Prints LLC’s first year at the event, and we are grateful for the warm welcome.
We enjoyed meeting shoppers, introducing people to our products, explaining how 3D printing works, and connecting with other vendors. Every conversation reminded us why local events matter: they bring makers, customers, and future creators together.
Two Very Different Days
Saturday brought beautiful weather, cooler temperatures, and a light breeze that helped draw a large crowd. It was an ideal start to our first Art in the Park, and the steady flow of visitors kept us busy throughout the day.
Sunday was sunny but much windier. Gusts repeatedly knocked over several display pieces, including our vases and the snowman and gnome nativity sets. We spent part of the day resetting the display and finding better ways to secure everything. It was quite an eventful day—yes, the pun is intended.
The experience also taught us an important lesson for future outdoor shows: a display needs to be wind-ready as well as attractive. We will arrive at our next event with sturdier supports and improved ways to secure lightweight products.
Sharing What We Have Learned
One of our favorite conversations was with a local Scouting America Scout who asked how to begin selling 3D-printed products. We talked about more than printers and materials. A responsible 3D-printing business also needs to understand commercial licenses, legally sourced design files, and the different terms attached to CAD software for student, personal, and business use.
Integrity matters to us. Running a small business means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. We were glad to share what we have learned and encourage a young maker as they explore their own business idea.
Respecting Designers and Their Work
That commitment also shapes how we source our products. Some items are designed in-house, while others come from talented artists whose files we license for commercial use. When a customer asked whether we designed the vases on our table, we answered honestly: not every design is ours.
Our gnome nativity set is a great example. The original design was created by the artists at GetPrinted3D. We first purchased the files for personal use because we loved the set. Later, when we wanted to offer printed sets to customers, we contacted the artists and arranged lifetime commercial rights to the STL files.
That arrangement allows us to share a wonderful design, credit and compensate the artists, and operate in a way that reflects our values. We believe customers deserve honesty about where designs come from and how their products are made.
What’s Next for Soft Thorn Prints
With Art in the Park behind us, our next step is adding the products from the event to our website and Etsy shop. We are also continuing to design, develop, and test new ideas. We look forward to sharing them once they meet our standards for quality and thoughtful design.
If you have questions about Art in the Park, our products, custom 3D printing, or our business, please visit our Contact page. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared a story, asked a question, or supported a local veteran-owned business.