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Winning 3D-printed ornaments deck White House tree

A few talented artists get to have their 3D-printed ornaments hung on the White House Christmas tree, and they'll be on display at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Bonnie Burton
Journalist Bonnie Burton writes about movies, TV shows, comics, science and robots. She is the author of the books Live or Die: Survival Hacks, Wizarding World: Movie Magic Amazing Artifacts, The Star Wars Craft Book, Girls Against Girls, Draw Star Wars, Planets in Peril and more! E-mail Bonnie.
Bonnie Burton
2 min read

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The Star of Bliss "embodies the spirit of the holidays; how we all need to put hatred aside and pay it forward," winning designer Roy Eid wrote. Instructables

Making your own tree ornaments can be pretty festive. Seeing those ornaments hanging on a White House Christmas tree? That definitely kicks it up a few eggnogs.

Five makers will get to experience that thrill when they have their ornaments displayed in the East Wing this holiday as winners of a White House 3D Printed Ornament Design Challenge. The trinkets touch on themes like peace and harmony and even pay tribute to government institutions and past US presidents.

The White House, in partnership with the Smithsonian and Instructables ran the challenge asking the DIY community to submit their ideas. Over 300 artists, students and makers from across the US took part in the competition.

According to the contest guidelines on Instructables, the submitted entries should "reflect the magic and wonder of the holidays; ornaments that represent winter sports, toys, activities, symbols, and anything that inspires you during the festive winter season."

Some of the winning ornaments were created to reflect peace on Earth and good will toward others.

"Much like the way it was created, through the mirroring and patterning of a simple line, the Star of Bliss signifies how a small act of kindness can transform and spread to create a wonderful final result," winner Roy Eid wrote about his winning ornament design.

Other ornaments honor past US presidents as well as the White House and the Library of Congress.

"I wanted to do something inspired by one of our family's favorite DC destinations -- the Reading Room in the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building," winning designer Vicky Somma wrote about her Library of Congress ornament. "The beauty of the building and knowledge within is a great testament to the best of mankind and all the accomplishments yet to come."

"The ornament's bulbous shape, outer swirls and swaying Christmas Star inside the ornament represent the magic and spirit of the holidays," designer Antar Gamble Hall wrote of the winning ornament. Instructables

"Paying tribute to the White House and US Presidents, 44 shining stars orbiting the Christmas Star pay homage to the 44 presidents who have led this nation since the days of George Washington," Hall wrote about his "Presidents of Christmas Past & Present" ornament.

Not only do the winning 3D ornaments decorate the White House tree, the designs will also be displayed in the Smithsonian's state of the art online 3D data platform, 3d.si.edu. After the holiday season, the winning models will join a collection of White House ornaments in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The full list of winners includes:

"Winter Wonderland of Innovation" -- created by: David Moore and Brandy Badami, Livonia, Mich.

"Winter Snowflakes" -- created by: Gil Rivera, Montclair, N.J.

"Library of Congress" -- created by: Vicky Somma, Occoquan, Va.

"Presidents of Christmas Past & Present" -- created By: Antar Gamble Hall, New York, N.Y.

"Star of Bliss" -- created By: Roy Eid, Houston

All design submissions to the Challenge are available on Instructables to decorate your own Christmas tree.

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"Included in the design is the option to clip the ornament onto a string of lights," Brandy Badami wrote about the winning ornament. "The lights will illuminate the White House inside of the ornament." Instructables