I’m often asked, “What inspired you to get into 3D printing?” The answer always brings me back to my sister, Alyssa, and her thriving baking business, Alyssa’s Baking Creations.
Like many passionate bakers, Alyssa was frustrated by the high cost and limited variety of specialty cookie cutters. Rather than keep paying premium prices, she came up with a clever solution: why not design and print her own? Knowing I’ve always been the tech-savvy one in the family—someone who genuinely geeks out over gadgets and software—she handed me a modest entry-level 3D printer and essentially said, “Here, figure this out.”
Eight months later, I was completely hooked. What started as a favor turned into a full-blown obsession. I upgraded to larger, faster, more capable machines and officially launched my own 3D-printing business. To this day, Alyssa remains my most loyal (and demanding!) client—I design and produce custom cookie cutters, cake toppers, stencils, cookie stamps, and whatever else her latest creation requires. Along the way, I’ve even taught myself the fundamentals of 3D modeling so I can bring her ideas to life from scratch.
That said, this venture is very much a family affair. I couldn’t do it without the incredible support system behind the scenes.
• My mom, Jodie, is the queen of finishing touches: she prints and applies all my product labels, packages orders with care, and is my indispensable partner at every market and event. She also tends a portion of the printer farm we keep at her house—removing finished prints, untangling filament jams, swapping colors, and keeping everything running smoothly.
• My stepdad, Greg, is the mechanical genius. He assembles fidget toys and clickers, performs routine maintenance, and is the one I call the moment a printer throws a tantrum. His fixes have saved countless deadlines.
• Alyssa, of course, hasn’t stepped away just because she sparked the whole thing. She still manages the printers I run at home—loading filament, washing build plates, troubleshooting issues, assembling habitats and offering her impeccable eye for color when I can’t decide on a palette.
What began as a simple favor for my sister has grown into a thriving business and a deeply rewarding creative outlet—all made possible by the people who believed in the idea (and in me) from day one. 3D printing isn’t just what I do; it’s something we do together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Welcome to my little world of 3D-printed joy! I’m Kristina, the designer, printer, packer, and chief fidget-tester behind Kristina’s 3D Ventures in Benson, Minnesota. Every single piece you see is printed by me in my home studio using bright, durable, eco-friendly PLA filament. My obsession? Creating tiny, poseable, irresistibly cute things that make you smile, calm your nerves, or spark a full-blown collection.
Mini Animal Fidgets – fully articulated critters (penguins, otters, red pandas, sharks, cats, dragons, and dozens more) that wiggle, waggle, and fit perfectly in your hand or on your desk.
Themed Habitats – miniature worlds ($25) homes like ice caves, cat condos, bat caves, aquariums, onsens, graveyards, barns, and deserts so your animals always have a place to chill.
Mini Dragons – six magical styles in gorgeous color combos ($8 each or 2 for $15).
Custom Name Keychain Clickers – personalized, clicky satisfaction for keys, bags, or just because.
Games & Gifts – washer toss, upgraded tic-tac-toe with hidden storage, and seasonal surprises that make perfect stocking stuffers or “thinking of you” gifts.
Everything is made fresh when you order (or grabbed straight from my ready-to-go shelf at local events). I ship nationwide and love doing local pickup in the Benson area.
Whether you’re building an entire fidget village, looking for a unique teacher gift, or just need something fun to click during that Zoom call — I’ve got you covered.
New animals, habitats, and limited-edition colors drop all the time, so there’s always a reason to come back.
Thank you for supporting my tiny dream — I can’t wait to make something that brings a little extra happy to your day.
