secretsanta

Secret Santa: Goli Mohammadi – Snow Toolbelt

Depending on the time of year, if Goli isn’t making stuff, she’s usually out on some mountain somewhere carving it up. This Woman’s Diamond Snow Toolbelt from 686 seems like it would come in handy, like when you’re stuck in the backcountry and making an adjustment means a smooth run vs limping down the hill. Besides stylishly holding things up, this belt includes #2 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, a 8/10/11mm wrench loop, and the ever-useful bottle opener. Who doesn’t want to open bottles with their belt buckle?

Continue Reading December 21st, 2011 Adam Flaherty

Secret Santa: Laura Cochrane — Finish This Book

The intriguing thing about author-illustrator Keri Smith‘s books is that they’re activity books for adults. In “Wreck This Journal“, Ms. Smith invites readers to smush leaves on the pages, fold and launder them, and otherwise do things we’re told not to do to books — plus use it as a journal. You don’t just read one of her books, you complete it.

Continue Reading December 16th, 2011 John Baichtal4

Secret Santa: Collin Cunningham – Static Dissipative Footwear

When I selected Collin Cunningham as my Secret Santa recipient, I thought, “Oh, this will be a challenge!” What do you get someone who already has it all? Good looks (especially with that magnifying visor on), cutting-edge video editing equipment, and a sweet range of electronic tools for his lab. Then it dawned on me that while he always looks stylish in his Collin’s Lab videos, I never get a good look at his footwear.

Continue Reading December 1st, 2011 Nick Normal2

Secret Santa: John Baichtal – R/C Helicopter

So, I went in a different direction. We’ve been playing with R/C helicopters in the office recently, which is what inspired this gift. Here you go, John: a fiberglass R/C helicopter kit from Titan. Isn’t it neat?

Continue Reading November 30th, 2011 Laura Cochrane8

Secret Santa: Sean Michael Ragan – Glass Blowing Class

For this year’s MAKE Secret Santa gift exchange, I was happy to have pulled Sean Michael Ragan out of the virtual Santa hat. In an effort to help Sean become the most dangerous man alive, I’m giving him something that will help round out his already diverse knowledge base. I know he has expressed interest in glass working in the past, so I’m gifting him a beginner’s 3-hour glass blowing experience at Glass Blowing Austin.

Continue Reading November 25th, 2011 Matt Richardson2

Secret Santa: Becky Stern – Books from Princeton Architectural Press

My recent favorite PAP title is Visual Complexity: Mapping Patterns of Information (Manuel Lima). I can’t get enough of this book and immediately thought of Becky when I drew her name from the Secret Santa hat. I’ve been wanting to turn everybody onto this title. While this book is wonderful and a worthy gift all by itself, I thought I’d sweeten the pot by including another cool, more hands-on PAP title, Pinhole Cameras: DIY Guide (Chris Keeny).

Continue Reading November 23rd, 2011 Gareth Branwyn4

Secret Santa: Nick Normal – 3D Scanner

When I reached my hand into the virtual MAKE Secret Santa hat and drew the name Nick Normal, I knew I needed to pick something special, thoughtful, and creative, because Nick is all of those things. I also knew that it should complement his very own Normalmeme: the (sometimes) recursive 3D printed Nick Normal bust that is all the rage.

Continue Reading November 21st, 2011 John Edgar Park8