At The 3D Lab, exploration happens layer by layer as ideas become objects, and creativity becomes confidence.
Along Stangl Road in downtown Flemington, the studio hums with creativity. 3D printers line the shelves as visitors watch projects take shape inside the community hub.
At its center is 13-year-old Victor Wallace, who moves easily between machines, helping customers and checking prints. Just over three years ago, neither he nor his mother, Jessica, had ever used a 3D printer.
It started with a Christmas gift when Victor, drawn to art, gaming, animation and video editing, asked for a 3D printer.
Within days, Victor and Jessica were hooked and began bringing the printer to family gatherings, eager to keep creating.
Jessica, who balanced a legal career with creative work, realized during daily routines that many tech- and art-loving kids were working alone in their rooms and needed community and independent learning.
She envisioned The 3D Lab as a shared space where kids and adults could learn 3D printing together in a welcoming environment for exploration and play.
Jessica previously built community through Chirp Workshop, a Flemington studio for crafts, events and parties, which she later sold but still considers part of her creative legacy.
After selling Chirp, she thought that chapter was over, but within weeks of the 3D printer idea she secured a Main Street space in Flemington.
The lab opened with 12 printing stations, custom furniture built by her father, and a clean white design filled with colorful filament spools and finished prints and learning environment.
Before opening, classes and birthday parties were already sold out, reflecting strong community excitement.
Victor recalls the grand opening as packed, with lines outside and crowds filling the studio.
Demand quickly grew, leading to a larger Stangl Road location with 18 stations, multicolor printers, and expanded programming for all ages for teens and adults.
Today, the studio offers walk-in sessions, classes from beginner to advanced, birthday parties, summer camps, and Kidpreneur programs where students sell their creations and entrepreneurship experiences.
Jessica often explains that the filament is corn-based, telling visitors their toys essentially start as a piece of corn.
Victor helps customers, runs walk-ins, and applies skills in 3D modeling and video editing learned through platforms like Tinkercad.
He encouraged the launch of their YouTube channel, @Vics3DLab, which shares tutorials, troubleshooting tips, and project showcases.
One tutorial on unclogging a Toybox printer unexpectedly became widely referenced online through AI search summaries.
Victor also highlights local businesses through a video series called Flemington Fridays each week.
He connects with downtown neighbors including Boxed Vinyl, The Happy Peacock, Within Spirit, and Humdoo Ice Cream and makerspaces.
At school, classmates are impressed, with some joking he must be a millionaire, which he dismisses.
The studio is a family effort: Jessica’s father builds furniture, her husband helps with setup, and her mother manages visitors.
Her mother, now in her late 60s, learned the printers and is affectionately known as Grandma 3D.
Jessica’s daughters also contribute, with one designing the logo and another assisting at jewelry events.
Jessica believes the studio helps kids who don’t fit traditional activities find a place where creativity and technology are celebrated and confidence building.
The 3D Lab has also partnered with the Philadelphia Eagles to bring interactive printing stations to the team’s holiday events across communities and events.
Jessica says kids often call it their favorite part of the event.
Looking ahead, Jessica plans to expand the model nationally through franchising, ideally run by families with long-term growth goals.
For now, the Flemington studio continues buzzing with activity as printers run and ideas come to life.
Jessica reflects on the magic of turning ideas into real objects every day.
For more information visit flemington3dlab.com.