Meet the Shapies introduces the people behind the 3D printing processes that bring your favorite products to life. This time, get to know Shelley Park, a 3D printing engineer in New York who works tirelessly to fabricate your Frosted Ultra Detail Plastic creations.

Here, Shelley tells us about her daily podcast rotation when she’s making your products, and her own functional ceramic artwork.

Where is your hometown?
Born in NYC (almost in a taxicab) and raised in Flushing, Queens.

How long have you been with Shapeways?
Just celebrated one year last week!

How long have you been 3D printing?
Not long. It’s been sporadic since taking a 101 class in college. Shapeways makes it easier since we have awesome Skillshare sessions on 3D modeling.

What is your favorite 3D printed object ever?
Oh dear. If I must choose, since there are so many different objects out there, it would be the Nervous System 3D printed dresses!

If you could 3D print something in any material, currently possible or not, what would you pick and why?
Body parts. There are so many people on organ waiting lists. And what if I lose my hands in a freak accident? I can just print a pair and attach them just as new.

How do you spend your time when you’re not bringing our community’s 3D printed vision to life?
I’m an ice-cream connoisseur and spend my weekends searching for NYC’s most delicious flavors. Also, I am a ceramic artist and make functional porcelainware at my studio in Greenpoint.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve learned about 3D printing in your time at Shapeways?
My mind was blown when I learned that Frosted Extreme Detail plastic can print in 16 micron-layers. That’s 0.0016 centimeters! I give myself a minute during our manufacturing process to marvel at the intricate details of some of the models.

What’s on your work playlist?
I listen to Rick and Morty to tide me over until they release Season 3 this summer.

I am also unabashedly in love with prehistoric creatures and educate myself by listening to dinosaur podcasts.

If you started your own Shapeways shop, what would you sell?
Delightfully quirky jewelry and some ceramic Voronoi vases.

In a perfect world, what is the trajectory of 3D printing?
Accessible and affordable 3D printed medicine, food, and organs for people who are in need.

Give us some words to live by.
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. Especially when that time will pass you by anyway.

Do you have any questions for Shelley or the other 3D printing engineers? Let us know in the comments and we will deliver!