iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I literally wrote a check earlier for my passport and was reminded I need to order more now that my last name has been changed. 😆 My childhood dream was to have a checkbook so naturally, I have one still in 2025. 🤣

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

As Derek Zoolander said: the files are in the computer! 🐒💻 Well, in this case, the files are in the Nintendo cartridge, and I need to get them onto the Raspberry Pi 5. I’m proud of this project as it’s my first ever Raspberry Pi project! 🎥: youtu.be/f6F-0xLmoOI

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

It’s honestly a rite of passage. 👩🏾‍💻

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

My RetroPie build is coming along well! 🎮 Mounting the NVMe hat to the Raspberry Pi 5 has honestly been the most difficult part thus far - all because I was using the wrong screw. 🥹 Also, why didn’t anyone tell me it’d take 20+ mins to install RetroPie? 😩

Two hands hold a NVMe hat while inserting a NVMe drive.

A person with bright orange nail polish is using a small screwdriver to work on a green circuit board. The circuit board has various components attached, including connectors and wires. In the background, there are blurred books and a decorative object.

Hands holding a small gray device labeled "GAME 5 Pi ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM." A red-titled brochure beside it reads, "GAMES Pi Case with M.2 NVME PCIE Board(N08) For Raspberry Pi 5." Background includes a magazine and miscellaneous items on a glass table.

Two hands hold a retro-style 8BitDo Pro 2 game controller. It features a D-pad, two joysticks, and pink buttons labeled A, B, X, Y. Manuals and a box with red buttons are visible on the table. A book and other items are partially seen in the background.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

I think I’m most excited to finally get around to figuring out how to solder! That’s been a “maker” bucket list item of mine and it’s feels so surreal to see this finally come true—follow along as I do my best not to break something—or cry. 🥹 [2/2]

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

It’s my very first monthly builds kick-off! 🥳 It feels so good to finally get hands-on with some hardware! It’s been a minute since my PC build and I’ve been dying to explore new areas of building. July is gonna be a pretty chill month. Here’s a look at my plans for the month. [1/2]

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

FINALLY got around to unboxing my 8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard - and here’s the video: youtu.be/nuVxeVJdWt4

A picture of the 8 Bit Do Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard sitting on a glass tabletop. The image is overlaid with text that reads Unboxing 8 Bit Do Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard and Pretty Wired Builds.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

That works since I’m using this for Windows! I’ll give it a try. Thank you!

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

I said that someone contributed a VS Code plugin for it! I’m gonna have to add it now. Thank you!

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Embarrassed to say that I’m finally getting around to using my Stream Deck to control my Teams meeting controls 🥹 + just learned that it can open apps/programs 😳 What else can this thing do not related to streaming? I need advice!

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

I LOVE that feeling! I feel that way every time I see someone pick up one of the various hobbies I’ve collected over the years. 🥹 I’m so excited to start diving in and having fun!

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

That also makes a HUGE difference 🤣

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

As I’ve grown into starting new hobbies, I’ve learned to always strive to invest in a happy medium when it comes to new equipment. 🥹 If I go too cheap, I run the risk of making life more difficult. If I go too expensive, I may feel regret if I end up hating the new activity. 🥲

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

There was one clear winner 🎉 Huge thanks to everyone that helped me choose my first soldering kit! 👩🏾‍🏭 I also got some tips and that little wiry thing for cleaning the tips!

April is standing in the doorway holding a Weller WE 1010 Education Kit. Her poodle is in front of her looking up at her.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Buying my first pair of safety glasses for my new soldering kit and realizing that this is in fact the most difficult decision - because SO many pink pairs exist! 🥹💕

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Thanks for the reminder to watch! I liked the first couple of episodes I saw.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

The one with Ncuti Gatwa as Dr. Who?

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Tiny detail but tomorrow I get to legally change my last name because I got married back in April. ♥️ Yes, April got married in April. 👰🏾‍♀️ The long post-wedding wait is now over. I’m no longer going to legally be “April Speight”! 😌

April is standing in a doorway wearing a long white lace wedding dress. She is looking off into the distance.

April and her husband are walking. Her husband is facing away from the camera. He is wearing a burgundy tuxedo jacket and cream trousers. April is looking at the camera. She is wearing a white lace wedding dress. Her veil is very long.

April and her Husband are sitting together on a boat. Her husband is looking down kissing her. April’s head is tilted upwards and her eyes are closed. Her husband is wearing a burgundy tuxedo jacket and cream pants. April is wearing a white lace wedding dress. She is holding a bouquet of flowers.

April and her husband are looking at each other and smiling. Her husband is wearing a burgundy tuxedo jacket. April is wearing a white lace wedding dress.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

At least give it two weeks! It might not happen immediately, but it will eventually.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

I do my fair share of battle picking on a daily basis. Since I live so far from civilization, this is the next best way for me to actually engage with people. I relate to without becoming a total complete weirdo, living in solitude. Therefore, it’s not a battle that I’m going to fight lol.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Turns out, Threads isn’t so bad for finding the tech community. Although I don’t care for having to flip between apps, it is nice to have conversations with my people.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Thought of a new Raspberry Pi project to start soon and realized it meant an upcoming trip to my beloved Micro Center! 🙆🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Evolving past just programming and adding a few other hardware related skills to my skillset has been one of the best things that I could’ve done for myself. I’m looking forward to a summer of tinkering and diving into electronics. Feeling pretty invincible - hope to keep this same energy! 🥹

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Awesome! You’ve been SO helpful! Thank you again so much for everything!

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

THAT is the sort of feature that I need. I get so paranoid about just leaving “things that get hot” plugged in downstairs in my studio. This sounds like a winner to me!

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Your micro-backyard obviously smells good.

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

You don’t have to work tomorrow. Work is a construct. 🤭

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

OK, glad that I asked. And thanks for explaining the difference as well. All of your help has been much appreciated! Thank you! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

I’ve seen ventilation mentioned a few times. Thanks for your advice on this! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Looks like I’ll need to add the USB-C charger to my cart. Thank you! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

I think it’ll be for occasional work - at least for now! Thanks for this advice. I appreciate it! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Thanks for all of your advice! And thanks for following up on the sandpaper/file/grinder warning. To answer your initial question, yes, this would be for electronics! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Funny enough, I currently have both of your recommendations in my shopping cart! 🥹 Are the tips specific to the iron? Or are they universal and could be used across all/various irons? Thanks for your advice! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

You’re the second person to have recommended a bevel tip - I’ll need to get one. Thanks! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

I’ve gotten a lot of recommendations for the Pinecil. This must be a sign - thank you! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Thanks for all of your advice! I really needed a flux recommendation as well and this was perfect! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Yea, I learned through a video that I could purchase practice kits! I’ll definitely need to do that. 🥹 Thanks for sharing your videos. I’m hoping to do something similar. Wish me luck! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Silly question…🥹 “Heat up fast” = good?

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Thanks for the recommendation. 🙋🏾‍♀️ Silly question, are tips universal? Meaning, do tips fit the same across all brands?

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Just found it on Amazon and watched the product video. Based on various things I’ve heard about what to look for, this one looks pretty good. I like the blue color. 🥹 Thanks, Aaron! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

This is looking to be my first iron. A lot of recommendations so far for Pinecil. Thank you! 🙋🏾‍♀️

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April 💋 @prettywiredbuilds.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Very perfect advice! I’m glad that I reached out for recommendations because I already *think* that it’ll be challenging and I’m trying to lower the barrier to entry for myself. 🥹

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