Craftzine.com blog: Video: Becky's Workshop Archives

Archive: Video: Becky's Workshop

January 6, 2012

Beating Heart Headband

In this episode of Becky's Workshop, learn to make a headband that glows with your heart beat. First construct a stretchy headband from brocade and grosgrain ribbon, then embed the circuit boards and clip the sensor to your ear. You can find the Beating Heart Headband in MAKE v29, and see the complete how-to on Make: Projects.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube or Vimeo. Thanks to Britex Fabrics for the ribbon.

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December 20, 2011

Quick LED Robot Ornament

When Rachel and Lish proposed an ornament swap so close to Christmas, I couldn't resist crafting on a deadline, so I whipped up a whole bunch of these cardboard LED robot ornaments on Sunday morning. I used what I had at hand- some cardboard, spray paint, and a whole bunch of LEDs. Since I can't resist the urge to document my crafts, enjoy this video and see the complete how-to on Make: Projects.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube or Vimeo.

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December 9, 2011

Best of Crafts in Maker Faire Video 2011

Today I thought I'd highlight some of my favorite crafty makers and the projects they've brought to Maker Faire through a special YouTube playlist. If you don't know about Maker Faire, it's the world's largest DIY festival celebrating technology, making, and especially crafts, held annually in several locations around the United States. This year we've expanded our video offerings so I picked these videos from our growing Maker Faire channel to give you an idea of the crafty souls you can meet at Maker Faire. Enjoy the playlist, and don't forget to subscribe to the Maker Faire Channel on YouTube.

The playlist includes:

Shawna Peterson's Neon Art Shop
Paul Nosa's Free Motion Embroidery
Jordan Jin Stone's illuminated sound-controlled Rainbow Shutter-Shades
Bethany Shorb's Cyberoptix TieLab
Mark Krawczuk's Secret Noodle Truck
Andrew Salomone's Machine Knit Cosby Sweater
Science Class Hydroponics: STEM Garden
Katherine Jolda's Cyclocarder
Xylocopa Design
Josh Billions' MapBag
Pam Deluco's Typefacebook
Laura Bruland's Yes and Yes Design

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube.

Check out more videos from Maker Faire in the Bay Area, Detroit, and New York.

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November 18, 2011

DIY iPhone Gloves

It can be frustrating to have to take off your gloves to use your touch screen phone. Capacitive touch screens sense how conductive your fingers are, and gloves are, well, insulators. Learn to mod your gloves with conductive thread in this episode of Becky's Workshop. See the complete how-to on Make: Projects.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube or Vimeo.

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October 28, 2011

Glowing Kryptonite Candy

Learn how to make candy glow under UV by adding vitamin B2! In this Halloween episode of Becky's Workshop, we whip up some kryptonite candy, as seen in BrittLiv's Instructable. See the complete how-to on Make: Projects.

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

For this project you need:

1.5 cups sugar
150mL (just over 1.25 cups) water
vitamin B2 capsules
aluminum foil
heavy pot
candy thermometer
whisk or spoon
electric green food coloring
flavor oil like mint or green apple
UV flashlight

Inspired to craft something for Halloween? Be sure to enter it in our CRAFT Halloween contest to win lots of cool prizes, including a Singer Futura XL 400 sewing and embroidery machine! Costumes, decor, food, props - whatever you create for Halloween is welcome in the contest. Read our contest page for details. Deadline to enter is Nov 8.

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August 5, 2011

LED Shoe Clips Make Your Toes Twinkle

Twinkle toes! Make LED ruffles to customize your shoes in this CRAFT video. This easy soft circuit project can get you started in wearable electronics and even may help you find your way in a dark parking lot. They're perfect for bridesmaids, too.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube or Vimeo.

For this project you need:

2 LED Sewing Kits (available from Maker Shed)
silky fabric for the ruffle
matching felt
sewing needle and regular thread
2 paper clips
scissors
pencil
pliers

Check out the complete step-by-step tutorial over on Make: Projects.

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July 1, 2011

Resistor Necktie

In this episode of Becky's Workshop, learn to construct a basic long necktie with stripes to represent your favorite value of resistor - fashion inspired by the electronics bench! Learn to work with slippery fabrics cut on the bias. In addition to the video, you can find a full step-by-step tutorial for the resistor necktie over on Make: Projects.

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

June 3, 2011

TV-B-Gone Jacket

Whenever I bring my TV-B-Gone out to restaurants, I look suspicious pointing it around. So I embedded the device into a jacket and turned it into a wearable TV silencer. For the switch, I sewed paths of conductive thread that become bridged by the metal zipper pull when it passes by. At the restaurant or bar, all I have to do is unzip my jacket to turn off the TV(s).

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

For this project you need:

Super TV-B-Gone Kit (available from Maker Shed)
conductive thread
jacket with metal zipper pull
sewing needle and regular thread
seam ripper (or very small scissors)
tailor's chalk
soldering iron/solder
pliers
wire strippers
wire snips
insulated wire (stranded)
heat shrink tubing

Check out the complete a complete step-by-step tutorial for the previous version of this project, the TV-B-Gone Hoodie, over on Make: Projects.

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April 22, 2011

Pocket Reflectors for Cycling

Learn how to sew some pants pocket reflectors to gain visibility for night cycling in this week's CRAFT Video. They tuck into the pocket for storage and then flip out easily and quickly for riding.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube.

For this project you need:

pants with back pockets
fabric scraps in a coordinating color
3M Scotchlite Plus Retroreflective Vinyl
paper or cardboard
pen/pencil
scissors
ruler
sewing machine
rotary cutter/cutting mat (optional)

Check out the complete how-to on Make: Projects

Reflective vinyl is available in many colors and shines bright white under headlights. Here's a flash picture of my bike, partially wrapped with the incredible stuff:

More:

Sew a Drawstring Bike Seat Cover - CRAFT Video
Bikes on Make: Live
Bike Tube Headband - CRAFT Video
Bike Shop Skillbuilder series on MAKE

February 11, 2011

T-Shirt Mod: Boxy to Foxy

I have a bunch of great logo tee-shirts but they're cut for men and I don't like the way they fit, so today I'm going to show you how to mod your t-shirts into a flattering shape that you'll actually wear.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube.

Check out the complete tutorial on Make: Projects. For this project you need:

a boxy unisex tee that fits you in the collar
a girlie tee that fits (your template)
tailor's chalk
pins
scissors
a serger (overlock machine)

First, iron your shirts and turn them inside-out. Line up the template at the shoulders and trace around it with tailor's chalk.

Pin along the new side seams, and cut off the sleeves at the new armhole. Run the new side seams through the serger.

Lay out the old sleeve under the template t-shirt and mark the new underarm and armhole. Serge the underarm, then cut the shoulder curve.

Flip the sleeve right side out and set it inside the armhole of the shirt. Pin and serge the edge, repeat on the other sleeve, and you're done!

You can also hem the bottom of the shirt if it's too long.

December 17, 2010

Tron Bag with EL Wire

Tote your Thinkpad and port your Apple in style with our custom TRON-inspired laptop bag tutorial. With a little soldering and sewing skills you can have your own light up satchel, sure to impress geeky friends. So grab your sewing needle and soldering iron and follow along.

This project is a collaboration between ladyada and Becky Stern.

There's a getting started pack at the adafruit shop with some EL wire, inverter and connector and other small bits you need. Read more about soldering to EL wire and designing and finishing your Tron bag.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube.

Check out the full Tron Bag tutorial on Make: Projects as well!

November 5, 2010

How-To: Hack Your Knitting Machine

Learn to connect the Brother KH-930e knitting machine to any computer to knit any pattern you can create in a graphics program like Photoshop or Paint in this week's CRAFT Video. This video tutorial supplements Ladyada's knitting machine hacking tutorial, which provides more detail on things like making the custom serial cable. Limor and I got a huge leg up on this project from Steve Conklin's knitting machine wiki page. The machine that appears in this video is pretty consistently available on eBay.

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube.

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