If you are someone that enjoys projects, working with your hands, or creating something from nothing and you are not familiar with the web site Instructables then you are missing out!! I have discussed and recommended the Instructables website in earlier blogs and today we are going to look at 5 interesting projects presented on that website. I’m hoping they will not only peak your curiosity but will inspire you to put on your 3D printer thinking caps and imagine other possibilities outside of just printing plastic trinkets. 3D Printing PLA on Tissue Paper!

Tissue Airplane

This particular project is my favorite of the 5 outlined because it should tweak your curiosity the most if you are an embroiderer or quilter. The Instructable instructor/contributor has developed a simple process which allows one to print directly on tissue paper creating objects that would otherwise be difficult to make. So, if you are a creative person, what other types of materials might be useful to print your 3D design upon?…cotton, wool?…and what might you make?  You might want to be careful if you plan to try nylon as it may melt if the extruded plastic is too hot. 3D Printed Rubber Mold

Rubber Shoe Mold

This is a side bar to an earlier blog I wrote about how 3D printers can help in mold making. This instructor/contributor gives an 11 step process for making a mold with your 3d printer and then casting it in rubber! Customizable 3D Printed Jewelry

Customizable 3D Printed Jewelry

This is a nifty and cool design for a 3D printed necklace. It can be customized to match most any outfit by popping off the end and inserting a different color!  Imagine printing the device in other colors as well…how about a bright pink! 3D Printed Halloween Ghost ignited with LEDs

Scary G-G-Ghost

This is my Halloween contribution for this session as October is fast approaching! I have printed quite a few of these ghost from a design I downloaded from Thingiverse. They print fast and turn out great. This contributor has taken the ghost to a new level by adding a quick and easy way to light your ghoul with a small battery and a LED. It looks great, is easy to print, and I’m scared just thinking about it!!! Make a 3D Scanner From a Cell Phone and Bicycle Wheel

3D Scanner

For the last entry, create your very own 3D scanner. This project uses an old bicycle wheel, your cell phone, and Autodesk123D Catch to create a 3D scanner. I am a big fan of Autodesk123D Catch and have a video demonstration of the software results here. This scanner is a simple build from a bicycle rim…though, I’m not sure how many people have an old bicycle rim laying around. However, I was thinking that this project might be modifiable with an old lazy susan purchased from the local thrift store? Let me know if anyone successfully modifies this project…and please post pictures!