![Early childhood teacher Alicia Sando with her 3D-printed dragon creation as part of her PaPe...](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_landscape_extra_large_4_3/public/story/2024/07/market_1_210724.jpg?itok=Uh2_EegP)
The Portobello Community Incorporated hosted its Portobello Market Day at Hanover Hall yesterday.
One vendor, early childhood teacher Alicia Sando, had one of the more popular stalls at the market.
Ms Sando was selling 3D-printed creations she made for her "side hustle" PaPe Creations, she said.
"I think the kids see the colours and that just draws them to it.
"I have two small children, and they love things that articulate, they love things that move around."
She started making her 3D-printed creations just two and a-half months ago and had made over 300 different items.
Her partner was an engineer and had "always wanted a 3D printer", she said.
Ms Sando saw it as the perfect opportunity to combine their talents.
"I was looking into these and I was like, ‘We don’t have a market for this in Dunedin’.
"I thought why not give it a try?"
Ms Sando’s daughter helped her come up with ideas — suggesting mystery eggs and a capybara, a giant rodent native to South America.
"She helps me chose designs, she’s obsessed with capybaras."
![A collection of Ms Sando’s 3D-printed creations.](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_square_extra_large/public/story/2024/07/market_2_210724.jpg?itok=SKz5JFSG)
"We use PLA, which is plastic made from corn so it’s more eco-friendly and biodegradable."
Her most popular items were spiders and slugs.
Portobello Community president Michael Lascarides said the day had been "really good".
"If you compare to previous ones, this feels like the busiest we’ve had.
"With the winter ones it’s always hit or miss."
He said the market, which ran four times a year, was to fundraise for local projects, such as the Portobello Domain Pump Track.
"We have a very close-knit community.
"And that’s the purpose of the group — to build community."
The market was at full capacity.
Mr Lascarides said they had to "stop taking vendors".
"We’ve had a really good turn out."