The "Over-Engineered" Origin of Stab Lab Designs

Three years ago, an injury ended my career as a paramedic. During my recovery, I needed a way to keep my mind and hands busy because going from 12+ hour days on an ambulance to daily pain and recovery without working was a big adjustment, so I dove headfirst into the world of 3D design and printing. I taught myself how to build and maintain my own machines, designed my own models, and integrated a laser into my workflow. It wasn't just a hobby; it was the "mental health" project that kept me moving forward.

When a friend asked me to design a "simple" 3D-printed piercing display for her shop, I couldn't just give her a piece of plastic.

The Problem with "Simple": I looked at the displays currently on the market and saw the same issues everywhere: they were branding-heavy, they only held one gauge, and if you knocked them over, jewelry went scattering across the floor.

The Medic Perspective: I thought back to the suture pads we used in medic school—silicone that was designed to "self-close" and hold tension. I realized if I could adapt that technology, I could solve the jewelry-retention problem once and for all.

The "Stab Lab" Result: I’ll admit it: I have a hard time not over-engineering things. If I can make something function better, I’m going to do it. I spent months prototyping a proprietary silicone mix and a specific casting method to create a "self-healing" pad. The result? A display that:

• Grips tight: Jewelry stays put, even if the stand is knocked over.

• Multi-Gauge: One spot holds a variety of jewelry sizes.

• High-Heat Stability: Uses high-purity silicone rated to 200°C.

Stab Lab Designs isn't about doing the bare minimum. It’s about taking my experience from the field and my passion for design to build tools that actually talk back to the artist.