Weekend Watch: Barb Makes Things

Craft & Design Workshop
Weekend Watch: Barb Makes Things

It’s impossible to single out one thing that makes Barb Noren’s channel “Barb Makes Things” so delightful. Her videos range from silly to clever. Her projects often involve a whole range of maker skills like woodworking, soldering, 3D printing, and getting crafty. Most of her videos start with a simple title or introduction explaining what she’ll be making following by a speeded up look at the entire process from start to finish.

Okay, maybe there is one thing to single out: this series is just fun to watch.

YouTube player

In a recent project, Barb updated her go-to Halloween costume, a steampunk inventor, by making a cabinet-of-curiosities-esque bag to both display some costume appropriate items and carry necessities like her camera and phone. It’s a neat design and I especially like how she uses wood and leather to create a sturdy and flexible flap.

YouTube player

Many of her projects are done as part of her job at the reDiscover Center, an education space for kids to learn about and practise creative reuse. This playlist covers a number of fun builds like a peg board marble run, a wind tube, giant origami, and more.

YouTube player

This might be a goofy idea, but I love the sense of exploration and experimentation in this video. As she says in video’s description: “Because why not try to make bubble wands out of whatever you can get your hands on? That’s right, there is no reason.” You don’t need a reason to make. You don’t need a reason to experiment or explore or just have fun!

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

A typical day for Lisa includes: getting up to see the sunrise, bicycling, interning at Make:, reading and writing short stories, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts for hours while working on projects or chores.

View more articles by Lisa Martin

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK