Craftzine.com blog: Technology Archives

Archive: Technology

December 28, 2011

Transforming Gingerbread House

Behold "gingerbreadtron, " the transforming gingerbread house by Brian Hall!

It's a robot in disguise - as a gingerbread house. This project was a fun thing to make over the holidays with some servo motors, glue and some cardboard.

[via buzzfeed]

December 15, 2011

11 T0-Do's for Women in Tech

Make's John Baichtal shared this post from The Hacktory about 11 tips any woman involved in the tech world should live by. I like Tip 11 - blog about what you do! That speaks to any community, especially crafters.

November 18, 2011

LED Hand Turkey Sweater

Jessica of geekcr3d takes the iconic hand turkey to a whole new level with this LED hand turkey sweater.

As a kid, I loved making decorations for the Thanksgiving table. I thought whoever came up with the idea that your hand could be traced and transformed into a turkey was a genius. I made hand turkeys like they were going out of style - I even colored my fingers look like feathers so it would be more realistic.
Since I loved this so much as a kid, why wouldn't I love the same activity as a so-called adult? Which is how the idea struck me, and I embarked on my second e-textile project: a LED hand turkey sweater.

[via adafruit]

October 22, 2011

Special Maker Faire Playlist on Threadbanger

I'm happy to present a special playlist of fashion tech Maker Faire videos over on Threadbanger. I've picked some of my favorite crafters using technology, and the playlist lets you lean back and watch them almost like a TV show. Check it out!

Videos featured:

October 20, 2011

How-To: Cross-Stitched Cell Phone Case

My new iPhone will soon be on its way, so I've been searching for the best crafty options for decorating the case. I originally bought a cross-stitch case kit, but I've been a little worried about how well the stitches will hold up with no protection, especially since I live in NYC and am always taking the subway. So, as I was looking for options that would protect my cross-stitch pattern and keep the stitches clean, I came across this tutorial from Wee Little Stitches that shows you how to turn any clear cell phone case into a personalized cross-stitched cover. This is exactly the kind of smart solution that I was looking for!

More:

DIY Cross-Stitched iPhone Covers @Craftzine.com blog

October 19, 2011

How-To: Light Up Steampunk Ray Gun

A light up steampunk ray gun is a great accessory for Halloween, or ... say ... a Wednesday. I wouldn't need a holiday excuse to carry this rad ray gun from Jen of Epbot. See how hers came together over on her blog, and get lots of great tips for collecting brass bits at thrift stores and working them in to your steampunk creations. [via Geek Crafts]

More:

September 29, 2011

How-To: High-Heeled Clipless Bike Shoes

A friend of mine just posted up the tutorial for these sweet custom high-heeled clipless bike shoes on Instructables, and I must say I'm very impressed! How awesome would you be, biking around town in a pair of these?

September 23, 2011

Machine Knitting a Cosby Sweater (video)

Andrew Salomone uses a hacked knitting machine from the 80s to "print" digital images into knitted garments. At World Maker Faire New York 2011, Andrew demonstrates the knitting machine and shows off its creations including a sweater with Bill Cosby's face.

Subscribe to CRAFT on YouTube, the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube or Vimeo. Music by i am jen.

More:

September 22, 2011

How-To: Kraftwerk-Style LED Tie

Windell of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories shows you how to make a rad LED tie, similar to the ones sported by the guys in Kraftwerk, the 70s electronic music masters from Germany.

The Kraftwerk tie has nine red LEDs in a vertical row, and one lights up after the one above it in a simple descending pattern. And what does it say to the world? One thing only, loud and clear: "We are the robots." Now, if you're anything like us, the most important question going through your head at this point is something along the lines of "why am I not wearing a tie like that right now?"

[via Geek Crafts]

September 14, 2011

Printed Food

food printer.jpg

food printed rocket.jpg

I can't wait until my mom can just e-mail me dinner, when she worries that I'm not eating properly, and all I will have to do is print it with Cornell's Creative Machines Lab's Food Printer.

The CCML food printers require edible inks and electronic blueprints called FabApps. This machine prints food using multiple cartridges, going line by line until the desired shape is extruded.

Ok, we might not be downloading our dinners and buying food in cartridge form any time soon, but this food printer is a start! [via geekologie]

August 29, 2011

How-To: Seam-Ripping Continuity Meter

If you use conductive thread in your projects, then you might want to check out this tutorial for making a seam ripper that also tests the electrical path of conductive thread by instructables member Plusea.

This seam-ripper has a continuity meter built in. An LED lights up to indicate when an unwanted electrical connection is made between the tip of the seam-ripper and the part of the circuit that you wish to disconnect from. An alligator clip can be connected to different parts of the circuit, so that you can decide where to measure for unwanted continuity. The LED is powered by a 3V coin cell battery. The brighter the light, the less electrical resistance.

August 27, 2011

How-To: Breadboard Pincushion

Instructables user, Plusea, shares this cool tutorial for making a functioning breadboard pincushion.

This pincushion design has strips of conductive fabric adhered to its surface, so that metal pins or component contacts that protrude through the same piece of conductive fabric are electrically connected. This cushion can be used for prototyping electrical circuits as well as for string pins, needles and components.

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