Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Maker Faire

I expected 3D printers and Burning Man vehicles, which I saw... but there was so much more!  I love this new (10 years old) truly empowering trend, breaking away from mere consumer fair to engaged and interactive.  They had small children using sewing machines, learning silk screening, observing glass blowing and metallurgy, puppets, legos, making buttons with LED lights...
    While there was certainly a technological focus, flying robots and such, the main thrust of the whole event is to support creativity in all its forms.  In the spirit of things, I handed out my "How I make a Mug" card.  Our neighbors on one side made dresses from dress shirts salvaged from salvation army bins.  On the other side, Frankenstuffies swapped heads and other parts to make new creations from discarded stuffed animals. 
     We met a club of people who "haunt" each others' houses with moving skeletons that have grotesque rotting flesh thanks to plastic sheeting melted with a heat gun and painted with gel stain.  People walked around in massive, complex and uncomfortable costumes. While the Burning Man crowd made explosions and apocalyptic organ noises, the Greenies collected and sorted the waste, sending me home ecstatic with two massive bags of clean bubble wrap. 
     This was the most inspiring event I have ever attended!   I will most certainly be back for more!


2 comments:

  1. I love the Maker Faire. I have gone as a guest and as a presenter. It's more fun as a guest, but more satisfying as a presenter.

    I am glad you enjoyed it. I had to miss this year due to a foot injury. Hopefully I can make it next year. I have a feeling that the family is coming up with another booth idea.

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  2. I love the Maker Faire. I have gone as a guest and as a presenter. It's more fun as a guest, but more satisfying as a presenter.

    I am glad you enjoyed it. I had to miss this year due to a foot injury. Hopefully I can make it next year. I have a feeling that the family is coming up with another booth idea.

    ReplyDelete