a maker studio

Solder & Sparkles

By Honey Chawla — where circuits meet crafts.

Cyberdecks, custom PCBs, 3D prints, handmade jewelry with a heartbeat, and whatever else the parts bin dreams up.

say hi 💗

The Cyberdeck

collecting parts 🛠️

A custom portable computer, built from scratch and documented every step of the way. The approach is materials-first: gather the parts, then let the parts bin tell us what wants to be built — the idea board below is where the candidates are fighting it out.

Along the way: learning to 3D print and to design a real PCB — so the finished build gets an enclosure that looks intentional and a board that isn't a bird's nest of jumper wires.

The Parts Bin

Shared across every project — whatever gets built draws from here.

Brains

  • ESP32-S3
  • ESP32-CAM
  • XIAO-ESP32-C6 ×2
  • ESP32 Feather V2 ×2

Displays

  • 1.28" round GC9A01
  • 1.28" round TFT 240×240
  • 2.8" TFT SPI 240×320
  • 2.8" resistive touch 240×320
  • 3.5" TFT 320×480
  • 3.5" RPi display 480×320

Power

  • 3.7V 1500mAh LiPo
  • 3.7V 1200mAh Li-ion
  • LM2596 step-down regulator
  • Micro-LiPo charger

Inputs

  • Micro switches ×5
  • Rotary encoder
  • Joysticks ×3
  • Colorful square buttons ×15
  • Power switch

Bits

  • Half-size breadboard
  • FeatherWing Proto ×2
  • NeoPixel ring 16× RGB
  • 18-pin 100mm FPC cable

The Toolbox

The machines that make the making happen.

The Idea Board

Things the parts bin could become — each one test-fitted against what's actually in the bin.

The Compowder

A Totally Spies-style flip compact — round screen as the "mirror," glowing NeoPixel bezel, spy boot animation.

would use

  • ESP32 Feather V2
  • round TFT 240×240
  • NeoPixel ring
  • FeatherWing Proto
  • 1200mAh Li-ion

Pokédex

The classic red clamshell. Point the camera at something and get a Dexter-style entry for it.

would use

  • ESP32-CAM
  • 3.5" TFT 320×480
  • joystick
  • micro switches
  • 1500mAh LiPo

E-reader

For the romantasy backlog. Rotary encoder as the page-turner. Honestly wants an e-ink panel — wishlist item.

would use

  • ESP32-S3
  • 3.5" RPi display
  • rotary encoder

MP3 player

Click-wheel energy: spin to browse, click to play, rainbow buttons for the important songs.

would use

  • XIAO-ESP32-C6
  • 2.8" TFT
  • rotary encoder
  • square buttons

Yu-Gi-Oh LP counter

Dial in damage on the encoder, watch life points drain dramatically. Duel disk shell as the stretch goal.

would use

  • XIAO-ESP32-C6
  • round GC9A01
  • rotary encoder
  • square buttons

Heart macropad

A heart-shaped mini keyboard — the classic first custom PCB. Pink solder mask, obviously.

would use

  • XIAO-ESP32-C6
  • square buttons

Card scanner

A little tray that looks up prices and details for Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh cards.

would use

  • ESP32-CAM
  • 3.5" RPi display

Digital locket

The round display as a necklace: animated hearts, tiny photos, a sprite that blinks at people.

would use

  • XIAO-ESP32-C6
  • round GC9A01
  • 1200mAh Li-ion