The joy of a budget player is just that simple. I fell in love with the texture of the original 3D model, but buying a finished prop was way too expensive. So, I decided to buy a blank flute base and craft all the details myself. The design of the Sea God's flute is very distinct—the essence lies in the large areas of translucent turquoise and fluid textures. Since my crafting skills can't compete with professional 3D modelers, I decided to create my own unique style. When coloring, I specifically picked several highly fluid acrylic paints, poured them directly onto the flute body, and let them blend naturally. Paired with white wispy marbling and pearlescent orange-gold accents, the result turned out surprisingly amazing. At the time, I wanted to capture a misty, submerged feel—as if it had been soaked in the deep sea for ages. I didn't measure the paint volume precisely, but it ended up looking genuinely wet, like it was just pulled dripping from the ocean, which is super unique. I initially thought a marker or two would do the trick, but I ended up using nearly half a tub of paint, spending hours layering colors and adding highlights. However, this method is truly cost-effective, and the finished prop is full of personality, shimmering under the light like rippling waves. Of course, handmade props would be dull without a few extra touches. I also bought some small accessories—like faux seashells and metallic clasps—and attached them with hot glue to give it more dimension. The best part about DIY props is the creative freedom; there's no need to obsess over matching official details—spoil your favorite character your own way. Although the process was tedious, watching it transform from a blank base into what it is now gave me an incredible sense of achievement. While it's far from perfect, achieving this result on a tight budget makes me beyond satisfied.