Energy & Sustainability

If you’re a maker just starting out your journey in sustainability, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to get started. From understanding the types of materials to utilize, learning what steps will help reduce waste and emissions, and finding inspiring new ways to explore creativity that don’t have a negative environmental impact. The good news is there are plenty of resources available for DIYers looking for ways to make their projects more sustainable – from simple switches you can make today, big-picture ideas for longterm change, or exciting new ways makers are helping push sustainability into the future. In these blog posts we’ll look at tips tricks and ideas specifically tailored towards diyers and makers on the road to creating projects with greater eco consciousness so that not only will you create something beautiful but also respect its impact on our planet!

ThinkGeek Giving Away Damaged Stock to Hackerspaces, Schools

ThinkGeek Giving Away Damaged Stock to Hackerspaces, Schools

How cool is that? From Blurgh! The ThinkGeek Blog:

We have a problem. And it’s growing at a rate proportional to our return pile. We can’t, in good conscience, resell damaged electronics. And we can’t donate them to charity–the saddest kid in the world is one with a handheld video game that won’t turn on. Garbage, then? Not good for the environment. Luckily for us, there’s an entire class of scavengers out there ready to pick the bones of our helicopters, keyboards, and interactive t-shirts: hackers, makers, and crafty techy types.

They’re even polling interest in a possible subscription service. [Thanks, John!]

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan10
How-To: Ship An Obelisk

How-To: Ship An Obelisk

In the 19th century, three ancient Egyptian granite obelisks—each weighing north of 200 tons—were shipped from Egypt to London, Paris, and New York. Postcolonial-era questions about whether ancient Egyptian obelisks shouldn’t perhaps be left in Egypt aside, how it was done is quite an interesting story. This, BTW, is just the first of what I expect will be many gems from my newly-discovered treasure trove, No Tech Magazine, a sister publication to Kris de Kecker’s Low Tech Magazine, which we rave about here all the time.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan8

Renegade Dipped Candles

My husband is on an epic 3 week snowboarding roadtrip. He’s been dropping 20 foot cliffs at 12,000 feet with his brother and friend, and living the life of a ski bum. So, what do three dudes do when they are out on the road, free from life’s responsibilities? Make hand dipped beeswax candles, of course!

Continue Reading Brookelynn Morris2
Make: Projects – Bulletproof Binder

Make: Projects – Bulletproof Binder

OK, so it’s not, actually. Bulletproof, that is. But with 3/32? aluminum sheet covers, nickel-plated steel piano hinges, and all-riveted construction, it’s a damn sight tougher than just about any other 3-ring binder you’re likely to encounter in the wild. Especially those crappy cardboard-shrinkwrapped-in-vinyl models most of us had to make do with as schoolkids.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan12