Since actually ordering that 3D printer, I've thought of 1 or 2 things to make with it pretty much every day. I was a bit concerned that it would be just an end onto itself, but hopefully that won't be the case. Some of the stuff I'm thinking up may even be sellable in small quantities (better mounts for bike lights, etc).
Honestly, right after ordering, I was watching some YouTube videos on calibration and workflow, and I got pretty scared that this was way harder than I thought, but I eventually calmed down and decided that I'd be able to figure it out.
I will say that it's going to be a while before mom can buy a 3D printer at Best Buy and print off paintable cat figurines. Heck, at this point even the raw material (filament) that the printers use is manufactured in special custom runs in Chinese plastics factories, and each batch is different and the printer has to be fine tuned for it.
( G+ comments below the cut )