Putting a new spin on Maker Faire!

We’re ReMaking it at Maker Faire in New York City again this year! It’s coming up this weekend from September 29 – 30th and being hosted by the nice people at the New York Hall of Science.

This year’s RePlayGround project is a DIY pinwheel made from scrap materials (what else would be use?) attached to a straw. It’s one of my favorite new projects and definitely takes upcycling for a spin.

If you’re there on Saturday be sure to check out my soda tab bracelet demo at the Maker Square Stage from 1 – 1:30. Bring your own soda tabs or be one of the first 20 people at the demo and get free supplies to make your own bracelet. If you can’t make it to the event, you can always check out this easy how-to video.

Hurray for ReMakers and Faires!

A light fixture that has “pop”!

Shine a new light on your empty soda (pop) bottles and combine them to create this fancy fixture. I was at the New York Hall of Science and we teamed up to create a video to show you how. What you need to get started are soda bottles, twist ties, a permanent marker, a 1/16” hole punch (or drill bit and drill) and a strand of Christmas lights.

Grab your bottles and start popping!

Turn your tabs into jewelry that's fab!

I recently visited the NY Hall of Science, showing them how to ReMake soda tabs into wearable accessories. And we felt we had so much recycling goodness going on, we wanted to get the message out to all of you! Catch this video which takes you through the step-by-step of creating your very own soda tab bracelet. Grab a pile of soda tabs, some stretchy cording, and start ReMaking!

Mix up your bracelet with different colored tabs and cord. They'll look great on your own wrist and make great gifts, too!

If this bracelet project left you thirsty for more do-it-yourself goodness, visit us at the NYSci during Maker Faire, September 29-30. It will blow your crafty mind!

Grandma Threadgould's craft book

My mom was recently cleaning out some relics from the past and came across a notebook from my Grandma Threadgould. It was full of crafts and recipes and all sorts of do-it-yourself goodness so she passed it on to me. I recognized patterns for ornaments that my mother still has - one of an angel and another of a mailbox that she still hangs on her Christmas tree.

I always remembered this grandma being crafty. And flipping through her book I realized there was no choice but for me to have crafting in my blood. In fact, my father once traced our lineage of the "Threadgould" name back to tailors of generations ago who lived in England.

I think Grandma Threadgould said it best from the entry she wrote over 40 years ago:
Spring Craftshop - 1966 "He who acquires a hobby has started on a glorious adventure - he has thrown boredom overboard and contracted an incurable disease."

This entry was right over top instructions for a do-it-yourself shadow box from Reynolds aluminum foil. Go Grandma Threadgould! Hurray for passing on glorious adventures!

You've got upcycled mail!

The latest upcycling project at TerraCycle has been turning these super sweet, super vintage mail bags into products. We created them in partnership with the USPS. You can choose from a tote bag, ipad case, or coin pouch. Or get one of each! You're certain to have a first class look when you're carrying one of these items. Buy them online at Uncommon Goods.


images courtesy Uncommon Goods

Create a cereal box cyborg! This weekend!

Make it to the last weekend of summer Maker Days at the NY Hall of Science! In honor of Make's iconic robot, RePlayGround will be on site helping museum goers reate their own upcycled version. We'll have super-crafty super-friendly instructors help you customize robot from cereal boxes and other upcycled materials. You can find us at the NYSci from 11 – 4pm this Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26. This project is free with museum admission. Making stuff doesn't get any better than that!

Then, be sure to put Maker Faire on your calendar - September 29-30. It's two jam-packed days of making, crafting, hacking, deconstructing, reconstructing, building, and just bout anything you can add -ing to. Whew. It will blow your crafty mind!

Go to camp without leaving home!

It's the last week of Maker Camp so tune in this week for DIY bookbinding, creating your own marshmallow cannon, and more.

The great thing about Maker Camp is that if you miss a session you can always tune in on Make Magazine's YouTube channel. If you missed my session last week, you can still catch the complete video on how to make your own woven basket from scrap paper and weave as you watch.

The basket pictured above is the one I wove during the session. It took me over an hour to make, so I finished it up at my Brooklyn studio, then took it up to my roof for a glamour shot. Make your own upcycled fun before summer is over!