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Remember when you thought personalized ceramic mugs were cool? Forget that. With 3D printing, you can now turn yourself into an action figure.
Even if you're not inclined to keep a heroic-looking, 3D-printed bronze bust of yourself on top of the piano, the technology opens up a range of novelty gift items. Say goodbye to tacky name necklaces -- if you want to scan your significant other's entire head and wear an eerily accurate representation of him/her as a silver pendant, that's now entirely possible, albeit a little creepy.
Mashable visited 3DEA, a pop-up store in New York City, to take a look at some innovative gift ideas done with 3D printing. Hosted by Openhouse, which does pop-up stores all year round, 3DEA is a collaboration with Shapeways, Ultimaker, UP!, MAKE and Fatboy, and features ready-made items by selected designers. We've seen toys, chairs, shoes, silver jewelry, plastic cuffs and ceramic cups (plus a private NSFW room for "sexy objects"). Visitors can also create their own designs and have them printed at the store.
Peter Weijmarshausen, CEO of Shapeways, says that families often come in to have the likenesses of their kids captured for posterity. "This is better than a photo," he says, holding up a small figurine. Weijmarshausen moves on to a silver charm in the shape of a child's head. "It's a way for them to preserve memories in an entirely different way."