Wearables

The world of wearables is becoming an increasingly popular way for makers to express their creativity. From custom watches and connected jewelry to full-body suits that allow you to interact with your environment, the possibilities are endless. Learning about wearable electronics can be a bit daunting for those who are just starting out – but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re looking for guidance on where to get started with Arduino programming or inspiration from some of the projects out there, this blog category has got you covered. Here we will provide tutorials and resources on creating interactive wearables as well as a look at the work of some inspiring makers that should give you the motivation to dive right in!

EKG-controlled Game of Life hoodie

EKG-controlled Game of Life hoodie

Joe Saavedra writes: The concept is a wearable version of Conway’s Game of Life, that is controlled by the current state of your life. Essentially, a wearable extension of your heart, externalized in the form of Conway’s Life. A custom circuit includes an infrared EKG monitor that resets the Game each time a heartbeat is […]

Atomic emission spectrum scarf

Atomic emission spectrum scarf

ur very own inimitable Becky Stern makes and sells these beautiful custom scarves featuring the atomic emission spectrum of your favorite element. Shown above is the “silicon” version (as modeled by AdaFruit’s likewise inimitable Limor Fried) but you can choose whichever element/spectrum you like. And here’s a handy-dandy Java applet from The University of Oregon that makes it easy to browse for your selection. Minimalists may prefer hydrogen or helium, but for my money it’s hard to pass up the rainbow-y goodness of, say, iron or tantalum. Want!

Lenticular Lego portrait

Lenticular Lego portrait

A lenticular image (Wikipedia) is really a set of two or more images printed on a sawtooth surface so that one image appears to change to another as an observer passes by. Flickr user Reasonably Clever Chris created a Lego version of the effect with a mosaic composed mostly of element number 50746, known among blockheads as “The Cheese Slope.” Check the vid to watch the transition, which happens about 35 seconds in. [via The Brothers Brick]

MAKE Volume 21: EL wire primer

MAKE Volume 21: EL wire primer

Here on Make: Online, we’ve featured lots of projects that use electrolumiscent wire, like the barbershop pole, the sequencing costume, and the angler fish. EL wire is a really flexible (pun intended) way to add lighting to your projects, and it’s fairly easy to use. In the newest issue of MAKE, Volume 21, we offer […]