Ponoko ID

Everyone has, I'm sure, at one point in time told themselves they could have invented something, or designed a better [insert product here] had they been given the chance. Now, it's time to put your money where your mouth is, because designing something is one step closer to home thanks to Ponoko.

Basically, you can design plans for a do-it-yourself project. Then Ponoko puts them up, either for free or for a little fee to download the plans. The website then can hook you up with either a materials distributer so you can built it yourself or a producer who will make the product for you; either way, you get a custom product, and the person makes a little cash.

A custom-made wine rack that looks pretty gnarly. Just a taste of the awesome lurking
about on Ponoko. And this one is for free!

Their new section in the website - Ponoko ID - is the real exciting part. Rather than sift through plans trying to find the perfect thing you need to spruce up your home or carry your wines, you can describe your perfect thing, post it on Ponoko ID, and different designers will send you bids. You then can negotiate with these competing designers and Ponoko then helps you in making that bid into a reality. How neat is that?