BOOMING MARKET: Pettis pictured in front of Makerbot Industries LLC manufacturing location, the Botcave, with a three-dimensional printer "The Replicator" in Brooklyn, New York. — Reuters/Makerbot Industries
NEW YORK: Not so long ago, harried mums and dads would brave the holiday season crowds at the mall to buy those Lego accessories or that Star Wars battle cruiser.
Now, with increasingly cheap and easy-to-use 3D printers, they can turn out such gifts in the comfort of the family living room or garage.
