This is the one and only time you'll ever hear me geek out. I obsessively watch YouTube videos on 3D printing. I swear this is the stuff of sci fi tv shows from the 60's. I mentioned my love for 3D printers in my Apocalypse Shopping Haul, that's how cool I think they are.

If you aren't so familiar with the concept of 3D printing, I'll explain the basics of what you need to know (and keep in mind that I'm pretty Mac illiterate so this is laymen's terms sparks notes). You input what you want to print or you can also scan with a Kinect camera that connects with a printer. The printer then prints using thin layers of plastic to create an object. Check out this video for a visual explanation of 3D printing. 

Have a moment to take that all in. Cool, amirite?

I was recently introduced to the company Hot Pop Factory who creates jewelry from 3D printers. Check out some of their designs: 


The deisgns have an architectural look with clean lines and are influenced by geometric figures. 
 
I mentioned earlier that you can scan with a Kinect camera to produce something and this actually works amazingly well to recreate someone's likeness. I went to a very cool event with Hot Pop Factory where they scanned people to produce figurines, bobble heads and other cool trinkets. 


Because of the labour, time, and materials that go into these pieces, they are a bit pricier than jewelry that you'd pick up at your local H&M. But knowing that you have a piece of the future? Well, that's pretty priceless. Check out their site for more details and to find out where you can purchase their products.

Have you heard of 3D printing before? Do you think this is something you would purchase?