Get Your Gadget on at Maker Faire

Posted by Brandi Moody on 21 June 2011 | 1 Comments

In Raleigh last weekend, the place to be for any techie, gadget lover, or Dad that loves design and science was Maker Faire. This was a weekend-long event held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds and brought crafters, makers, inventors, and artists together for a family-fun occasion. Here are some of the exhibitors that either displayed their creations or gave demonstrations on their craft:

This was a very unique LED light box designed by 757 Labs from Richmond, Virginia. The light patterns changed via a computer program this group created.

Blocklets, a company from Raleigh, designed a special-edition wooden laser cut Monopoly board for Maker Faire. They also create some pretty neat wooden blocks you can build using small wooden pieces (shown below).

There were even a few greyhounds hanging out from the North Carolina Greyhound Adoption Promotion.

For kids of all ages there was a larger-than-life 3D Maze where you could watch a series of pulleys move marbles through different levels.

B.O.L.T.S (Brotherhood of Learning and Teaching Smiths) came from Eastern North Carolina to gave demonstrations on rope-making and showcase items that were created from blacksmithing.

Holly Springs based Little Wood Designs created custom handmade pens and bottle stoppers from wood, stone, and even a corn cob (pictured above).

Kevin Little, owner of Little Wood Designs, even gave one of Maker Faire’s attendees the chance to participate in creating one of his custom pens.

East Coast Bot Hockey gave kids and adults the chance to see what it was like to use a remote-controlled robot in a game of hockey.

Ruth Warren, owner of ReWorked Creations from Raleigh, demonstrates how she creates works of art from repurposed materials.

Durham-based Spoonflower offered digital printing services for individuals looking to design, print, and sell their own fabric designs. They even had some pieces on display and offered a neat pincushion freebie for attendees.

Clock THREE shared some of their unique word clocks that would light up at the exact minute and hour.

The NC Lego Users had a colorful lamp on display that they created using only a socket cord, LEGOs, and DUPLO bricks.

Hines Design Labs from Carrollton, Virginia, had several laser cut items for kids, one being a rocket taking off.

Wish Bass from Winston Salem shared some of their handmade wooden electric basses.

To see more exhibitors from Maker Faire, please visit their website and Facebook page.

All photos by Brandi Moody.

Brandi Moody is an artist and designer living in Raleigh. By day she’s a graphic designer and illustrator for her own design studio. Read more about her life, work and inspiration on her blog, Ever So Lovely.