Laser Cut Lanterns!

I signed up for the Laser Cut Lanterns workshop with Pete Talbot at Generator, just to help get me started. The workshop was this past Sunday, and Pete was *so generous* with his time. What an awesome guy! It was a very good workshop, with a nice balance of structure and flexibility. Pete had a star template ready for us to customize cut out openings for the light to shine through. It was my first time using Adobe Illustrator. I still need to spray paint, score, fold & assemble my light. Learning to use the laser cutter is really learning to use Adobe Illustrator or another piece of software to create EPS files. My boyfriend used InkScape, and there were lots of problems with his file. Hoping InkScape will still be a viable option for this....

SLOW start

December is here and the clock is ticking! I am acutely aware how short 2 months are.

I went to a Generator orientation last week. Fortunately, I met with Caty, my fellow-Igniter, the day before, so I knew this orientation was NOT going to prepare me to use any equipment at Generator. I've been to the space and a few events there before, so I knew where everything was located. I think I could have given that tour.

I am signed up for the protoyping certification this week. Also, the laser cut lantern class I'd signed up for weeks ago that was postponed is going to happen this Sunday. My hope is, after this week, I will be able to use the laser cutter.

I wonder if, in the future, people with this wonderful opportunity could complete the orientation and any needed certifications  before the 2 months' membership started. That way, one would really have the full 2 months to make. 

Here's what I'm thinking about making:

• laser cut ornaments
• laser cut lamps and a re-do of a 3d printed light I made
• laser cut altered books (tunnel books) and laser-cut altered books with light

Here's what I'm worrying about:

• I won't be here over the Christmas break, so I lose all that nonschool time to make stuff
• How long it will take me to be proficient enough in the software I'll need
• When I will find time to be at Generator, given that I'm usually away on weekends

...essentially, all variations on the same theme: how to get 2 months' of making done with life, work, and the needed certifications and learning to even get started.

As a favorite principal of mine used to say, "Ready, fire, aim!"

Wearable Social

We celebrated our hard work and shared our creative breakthroughs at the Generator's social event this evening!

LED Headband Project

Today, Leah, Audrey (my daughter), and I attended a fun workshop at the Generator, learning how to create a Rainbow LED Headband.

Although I did not have time to learn much about the actual code of this project (we uploaded John's program), I learned a little about the Arduino Nano, downloading and extracting files, and putting them into the correct libraries on my computer.  This might not sound like a big deal, but it was new to me, just as the soldering was for my daughter.

Another take away:  parts from China can occasionally be defective!

The Journey Officially Begins

Leah and I are excited about the opportunity to be the first recipients of the Ignite a Maker grant! 

Today, we spent the afternoon at the Generator taking the Rapid Prototyping Certification course, learning some basics about the laser cutter, 3D printer, Vinyl cutter, and CNC router. 

As of today, we have both taken the Generator Membership Orientation and we are ready to get started with making!