gift guides

Geek Chic in the Makers Market

Geek Chic in the Makers Market

We’re coming up on the end of April, and the end of our annual “Geek Chic” theme. But I didn’t wanna let the month go buy without at least mentioning the fact that we’ve got an entire collection in the Makers Market full of awesome stuff that is both geeky and, um, chic-y. If you or someone you love finds themselves in the intersection of that particular Venn diagram, you might take a moment to check it out. There’s stuff here you can’t find anywhere else, and it’s all lovingly made, sold, and shipped direct to you by indie makers trying their hands as entrepreneurs.

Impressive laser-cut Mars rover model…er, kinda

Impressive laser-cut Mars rover model…er, kinda

This elaborate laser-cut plywood “Spirit” model is one of many cool designs available from WoodMarvels.com. They sell PDF plans, EPS files, and parts kits. Caveat: This image, and pretty much every image I can find on their website, is a computer generated rendering. I’m sure their models go together in the real world just fine, but personally, I’d kinda like to see some photos that prove it. [Thanks, Rachel!]

Fold-up “robotagami” figures

Fold-up “robotagami” figures

Lubbock, Texas artist Dustin Wallace, whose larger one-off/limited edition transforming robot sculptures I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, also makes these wicked little “robotagami” dudes that are CNC-cut from sheet metal (stainless steel or copper), ship flat, and get slotted together and folded up to make a dimensional figure by the buyer.

DIY word clock kits

DIY word clock kits

Back in September, Matt blogged about the QLOCKTWO text-display clock from high-end German design firm Biegert & Funk. If you like their version, one can be yours right now for the low, low price of €885, which is about $1200US as of this writing. Matt mentioned, in his original post, that the design “could be […]

Cat plays Gakken theremin

Move over Keyboard Cat, Theremin Cat’s in town and requires no human assistance to play his instrument of choice. Well … maybe just like a teensy bit of help assembling the Gakken Mini-Theremin Kit … and yeah granted, he’ll need fresh batteries once in a while. But aside from that – 100% straight solo, baby. […]