Bre Pettis makes things.

Since 2009, the CEO of 3-D printing company MakerBot has been making things -- a lot of things. But it wasn't always easy. From his apartment in Brooklyn, he sold his musical instruments and opened a bootleg cafe to make ends meet.

The former public school teacher wanted to create something unique that embraced the idea that if you can dream it, you can print it. His dream of making things and making them happen is now a reality.

With a new merger with Stratasys, MakerBot has hit a milestone. This American pioneer is making things with his Replicator 2 desktop 3-D printers.

Pettis clued us in to how he made money from being a tinkerer.

Ex-captain pleads guilty to drugging, raping cadet ... Laundry company agrees to pay back $400G in wages ... Mets report card Credit: Newsday

Updated 25 minutes ago Dangerous heat ... Ex-captain pleads guilty to drugging, raping cadet ... Port Washington development approved ... America 250: Manor of St. George

Ex-captain pleads guilty to drugging, raping cadet ... Laundry company agrees to pay back $400G in wages ... Mets report card Credit: Newsday

Updated 25 minutes ago Dangerous heat ... Ex-captain pleads guilty to drugging, raping cadet ... Port Washington development approved ... America 250: Manor of St. George

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