ESP32 Ornament

Project Overview

The goal of this build was to create an ornament that could display different Christmas-themed messages on an e-ink screen while staying self-contained and rechargeable. That meant planning around the display, the ESP32 control path, the power architecture, and the shape of the enclosure all at the same time.

Instead of treating the enclosure as an afterthought, the project was structured from the start as both an electronics problem and a product packaging problem. The electronics stack had to be compact and practical, while the final result still needed to look like a finished ornament rather than an exposed prototype.

Architecture

• A TP4056 charging module handles battery charging from Micro USB input.
• A 1000 mAh battery provides the portable power source for the ornament.
• A buck/boost converter regulates the voltage for the rest of the system.
• An ESP32 acts as the main controller for message logic and system behavior.
• An e-ink display communicates over a 4-wire SPI interface and defines the visual output of the ornament.

Design Thinking

From a systems perspective, the project is really about integration. The charging module, battery, buck-boost stage, ESP32, and display each solve a different part of the problem, but they only become useful when arranged into a reliable and physically compact assembly.

That makes the ornament a strong example of product-style engineering: the electronics, mechanical layout, and final presentation all influence one another.

Physical Build

The STL files for this project reflect the mechanical side of that work. The printed parts divide the ornament into logical pieces so the assembly can support the screen, internal electronics, and the decorative outer form.

Keeping those parts separate makes it easier to iterate on fit, tolerances, and assembly without having to redesign the entire object from scratch.