“3D printing is easy and fun.” These aren’t just words; they’re the motto of Gary, an extraordinary 7-year-old who is taking the world of 3d Printed Bookmarks by storm.
While children his age are typically immersed in the realms of toys and video games, Gary has already embarked on an impressive entrepreneurial journey. He designs and 3D prints incredibly unique bookmarks, selling them to his classmates and teachers, and even operates his own online store.
Gary’s inspiring story first came to light through a feature on ABC TV News, and it immediately resonated with many. His remarkable blend of passion for technology and boundless creativity is truly captivating.
“He is making a big impact in his school and all the world around him through his high IQ and he is using his coding and 3d printing skills to make a product that he sells online. He is wise beyond his years. Like any astute businessman, Gary also knows the subtle art of promotion. This boy genius is ready to tackle the world.” – Mrs. Stephanie Stanton, National TV Journalist and TV anchor at ABC News
The Genesis of a Bookmark Business
Gary’s fascination with creation began early, sparked by a natural curiosity for numbers, shapes, and the process of making things. “I have always liked numbers, math, and building 3D shapes. I also like reading a lot,” Gary recounts. His love for reading was evident even at a young age. “When I was 5 years old, I got a reward from my library for reading more than 1,000 books.” This early achievement underscores Gary’s inherent drive and dedication.
Gary’s early love for reading, recognized with a reward from his local library, fueled his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, eventually leading to his venture with 3d printed bookmarks.
Recognizing his exceptional abilities, Gary was selected for Ashton Elementary’s REACH 1st Grade class, a program designed for high-achieving and self-motivated students.
“Gary is very unique. He loves everything that has to do with creating. He loves coming up with his own ideas. He is always asking what more he can learn.” – Mrs. Brandy McCormack, Gary’s REACH First Grade teacher
The idea for 3d printed bookmarks originated from a simple act of kindness. “I love reading, and my teacher loves everything about books,” Gary explains. “So, for Valentine’s Day, I decided to 3D print personalized bookmarks for each of my classmates, and one for my teacher. Everyone loved them, and seeing their reactions made me feel really proud.” This initial positive response was the catalyst for something much larger.
“Over the next few weeks, other friends and teachers started asking for bookmarks,” Gary remembers. “So, I kept printing them and giving them out as gifts.” What started as gifts soon transformed into a burgeoning business.
With the support of his father, Gary refined his design skills. “With my dad’s help, I imported my school’s logo into Tinkercad and simplified it into an astronaut reaching for a star,” Gary details. His mother further enhanced the design, incorporating a ruler and ensuring space for 14 characters for personalization. “We did it all on the computer,” Gary says with pride, highlighting his growing digital literacy.
Gary’s promotional brochure for his 3d printed bookmarks, showcasing his entrepreneurial skills and initiative at a young age.
Seeing the popularity of his 3d printed bookmarks soar, Gary sought permission to sell them at school. “Gary asked his teacher if he could start selling them at school. After getting approval from the principal, he got to work. The principal even encouraged him to make flyers to spread the word.” This proactive approach led to his first sale, earning him $21.
Within just a week, Gary sold 32 3d printed bookmarks. He strategically used his profits to fund his coding classes. “Each class costs $25, so I need to sell five bookmarks to pay for one class,” Gary explains, demonstrating financial acumen beyond his years. Furthermore, Gary incorporated a philanthropic element into his business model. “I donate $2 from every bookmark sold to my school,” he adds, showcasing his commitment to giving back to his community.
Expanding his reach beyond the schoolyard, and with continued parental support, Gary launched an Etsy store. This online platform enabled him to share his 3d printed bookmarks with customers globally.
Beyond Bookmarks: Expanding Creative Horizons
Currently in 2nd grade at Pine View School for the Gifted, consistently ranked among the top schools in the US, Gary’s intellectual curiosity continues to flourish. His passions span science, math, programming, and game design. However, it is 3D printing that truly ignites his imagination and serves as the foundation for his innovative projects, including his signature 3d printed bookmarks.
Always striving for creative advancement, Gary designed glow-in-the-dark bookmarks for a school event, utilizing a lightbulb symbol to represent ideas and creativity. “I love reviewing all the filament colors and picking the one I want to 3D print with,” he enthusiastically shares. “I especially love glow-in-the-dark colors, metallic shades like gold and silver, and every kind of blue.” For the school festival, Gary generously donated 20 bookmarks, sharing his unique designs and enthusiasm for technology with his school community.
A glow-in-the-dark 3d printed bookmark designed by Gary for Pine View School, highlighting his innovative use of materials and design.
Gary’s 3d printed bookmarks are not mere decorative items; they are thoughtfully crafted creations imbued with meaning and purpose. His ambition extends beyond bookmarks. He is exploring opportunities to pitch his creations to local museums, zoos, and aquariums, envisioning them in gift shops. He is also developing a custom bookmark design for a dental clinic, showcasing the versatility of 3d printed bookmarks for various applications. On a lighter note, Gary also experimented with designing an “ant trap,” which he humorously admits worked “too well,” attracting more ants than intended due to the sweet popcorn bait.
At the young age of six, Gary’s exceptional intellect earned him membership into MENSA, the international society for individuals with IQs in the top 2% of the population.
Dr. Robert Winegar, Psy.D., after conducting extensive interviews and IQ testing, affirmed in his report: “Gary is a gifted child, and it is my opinion that he will flourish within an advanced academic program.”
Looking forward, Gary has ambitious aspirations. “I’d love for the Bambu Lab team to buy my design, ‘Astronaut Reaching for the Star,’ so everyone with a 3D printer can make my bookmarks for their friends and family.” He hopes to utilize the earnings to cover his MENSA membership fees and further pursue his diverse passions.
Gary’s MENSA membership certificate, recognizing his exceptional intellectual capabilities, which fuel his innovative projects like 3d printed bookmarks.
Unleashing Imagination Through 3D Printing
“Print It, Play It, Build It” could easily be Gary’s motto. With a 3D printer and a spark of ingenuity, Gary transforms his ideas into tangible realities. Challenging the perception that 3D printing is overly complex for children, Gary confidently states, “3D printing is easy and fun.”
Gary demonstrating 3d printing to his school principal, showcasing the accessibility and educational value of the technology, particularly for creating items like 3d printed bookmarks.
With parental guidance, Gary quickly became proficient in Tinkercad and the Bambu Lab slicer software. “I send the designs to the 3D printer from my computer, and after a few minutes, the object is ready. It’s so fun to pick it off the plate and hold my design in my hands. It feels like magic!” he expresses with delight. He acknowledges that the process isn’t always flawless. “Sometimes, I have to print prototypes and then tweak the design to improve it,” he admits, demonstrating a practical understanding of iterative design. For Gary, every step, including the challenges, enhances the excitement of creation.
Gary’s mother, Irina, is a pivotal influence and collaborator. She leads Moonshotkidz, a tech education startup focused on DIY STEAM content, and has a substantial online presence with over 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. Irina, a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and an alumnus of Singularity University’s program in Silicon Valley, first explored 3D printing through a startup venture and is now learning 3D modeling with Blender. “My son collaborates with me on my projects, especially during the design and prototype stages,” she shares. “In a way, we’re both learning together. I teach him, but he’s also teaching me.” This reciprocal learning environment fosters both Gary’s and Irina’s growth in the tech and entrepreneurial space.
Beyond 3D printing and his thriving 3d printed bookmarks business, Gary is an avid and multifaceted learner. He enjoys non-fiction books, National Geographic, and video games like Minecraft, Cell to Singularity, and Geometry Dash, which allow him to build virtual worlds and design game levels. On weekends, he engages in coding and plays tennis. He also aspires to visit China to see pandas and plans to learn Chinese in fourth grade, reflecting his global curiosity and ambition.
“Gary has shown tremendous knowledge and capability with coding his games. He not only seems to understand scratch quite well, but he also has a far better understanding of programming concepts than most students his age.” – Mr. Austin Gallagher, his Scratch coding coach at the Coder School
Gary’s future aspirations are grand. “I want to be an engineer because I love solving problems, making things, writing code, creating games, and building machines people can use all over the world,” he states, already envisioning a career dedicated to innovation and impact.
Gary surrounded by numbers, highlighting his early affinity for mathematics and problem-solving, essential skills for his 3d printed bookmarks venture and future engineering ambitions.
When offering advice to other children intrigued by 3D printing, Gary encourages, “3D printing is easy and fun. The most important thing is to be happy, creative, and not afraid to try,” he advises. “It gets easier every time.” His infectious enthusiasm is evident in his school community. “All my classmates were super excited to see how the 3D printer works, and now everyone wants one too.”
For parents like Irina, 3D printing extends beyond mere object creation; it’s about nurturing confidence and independence. “Gary’s become more independent. He knows that if he needs something, he can design it and print it himself,” she observes. “We’ll always support him as he explores new subjects and career paths. He’s great at grasping abstract concepts, thinking critically, and finding creative solutions.” Gary’s journey with 3d printed bookmarks is not just a heartwarming story of a young entrepreneur; it’s a powerful testament to the potential of 3D printing to unlock creativity, foster innovation, and empower young minds.
