The Inception of the Potions Party

Friends, what you see below is the prototype I threw together after my special ladyfriend, Christine, told me about the most amazing place she visited in London. She found a bar called The Cauldron — part tavern, part Disney-like experience — and had all kinds of things to rave about. On one of our Facetime … Continue reading The Inception of the Potions Party

Remaking the Disneyland Toy Story Jail

Along Disneyland’s Main Street (yes, yet another reference to the recent Disney trip with @ChristineRose) are little window displays. Each references some film, whether recent or past. (Marketing!) All have at least some basic mechanical animation, with a few being much more elaborate. One recent display was a Toy Story bank heist. There wasn’t much … Continue reading Remaking the Disneyland Toy Story Jail

A Laser Cut Index Card Box

About ten years ago — at a Container Store of all places — I found the most amazing little wooden box. It wasn’t fancy or decorative or ornamental. It didn’t have any special features or hidden compartments. It was a simple flip-top wooden box, described as “a recipe box.” At the time, I lived my … Continue reading A Laser Cut Index Card Box

Complicating Simple Projects With Lasers

One big thing that happened in my Maker life, back in November, was that I became the proud new owner of a Glowforge laser cutter. I’ve been so engrossed in little projects for it, that I completely neglected to write anything about any of them. A few weeks ago, I was preparing to move some … Continue reading Complicating Simple Projects With Lasers

Building a Custom Kitchen Timer

I have been learning to cook over the past year. Or technically, learning to cook better. I have had a reserve of about 6 recipes I’ve always used — mostly large trays of food like lasagne and casserole, with a week of leftovers. Baking is a different skillset, but one I’ve always been good at. … Continue reading Building a Custom Kitchen Timer

A laser-cut light-up nameplate

I am a little surprised that I did not write about this months ago because I finished the project back in March.  After building the InfoNinja, I thought about projects that would help me to hone my laser-cutting skills.  Although my bolted mortise and tenson joints were adequate, and tention held everything together nicely, those joints … Continue reading A laser-cut light-up nameplate

Adventures in cat-scratching -or- how a laser project became a regular project

When you first start out with the laser cutter (for me, not in-person but via a service like Ponoko), it seems that everyone’s “hello, world” project is a set of coasters.  I have done a couple of projects since then, but have had one in particular in my eye that is actually not that much … Continue reading Adventures in cat-scratching -or- how a laser project became a regular project

Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers: part 2, The Programmer’s Desk Reference

This is a followup to my previous post, Designed by Brian, Manufactured by Lasers.  That was my “Hello, World” introduction project to laser cutting: simple coasters with etched designs and a coaster-holder. This second laser-cut project was designed to have a bit more 3D, using a couple of interlocking pieces.  I do quite a bit … Continue reading Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers: part 2, The Programmer’s Desk Reference

Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers

I have been making 3D prints on the MakerBot for almost a year now (see my posts tagged MakerBot for more detail) and have always wanted to try doing things with a laser cutter, but felt intimidated.  First off, to actually own a laster cutter is a pretty big investment — like a brand new luxury compact … Continue reading Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers