Convergence Costume Countdown Camp

Ok, way too many “C’s” I know. But I am trying to gauge interest in creating a workshop/class that goes over creating “your” costume for this years Convergence convention in July. I know, I like to work with like minded artists while creating costume designs. Thinking this could be an interesting group to put together and at the end show off our collective maker-foo at this years event.

We could go over topics like:
Sewing (yes sewing is fun and guys can be good at it)
Pattern making
Making molds and copies
Fabricating appliances
Latex mask creation
Leather masks
Airbrushing
How to not pass out from heat exhaustion.

I’d like to put this together more like a camp. Where there is a topic and it starts with information, but the rest of the day is spent with as much or as little time “making” as you need. A lot of the time a person just needs direction to get from one place to another.

To give an example: You want to make a Mystique from X-Men costume. How would you make her signature skull belt? Well with silicone/latex molding of course. But were do you get molding supplies, and how does it work. Then how do you make copies? These were question I had and I am guessing there are a lot of people interested in coplay but do not know how to get the idea into reality.

Hey, if you are interested, leave a comment. Its never too early to start making a costume, but its often too late…

Shironuri No 96
Image is of the Maker (going by the name of No 96). photo taken by Tokyo Fashion

Ham Radio Night at the Hack Factory

Mw0rkbshack

Interested in amateur radio? Whether you’re a licensed ham, or just curious what amateur radio is all about, come on down to the Hack Factory on Monday, March 11th at 7PM. We will be having an open discussion about ham radio, and likely some demonstrations using the amateur radio station set up in the front lounge. This event is free and open to the general public.

Minne-Faire: A Maker and DIY Exposition – April 13-14

Mark your calendars! Our fourth annual Minne-Faire will be held at The Hack Factory, April 13th and 14th, 2013.  This year is going to bigger than last years show!

tcm-minnefaire-facebook

Participate, meet and get inspired by other makers and DIY artists that are interested in electronics, 3-D printing, metalworking, woodworking and textiles. This year’s Minne-Faire will include exhibits, demonstrations, power wheels racing, vendors, music, and food.

Schedule:

Saturday April 13th:

  • 11am – 5pm Exhibits, demos, vendors, and booths
  • 7pm – 11pm Minne-Faire after hours which includes music, drinks.

Sunday April 14th:

  • 11am – 5pm Exhibits, demos, vendors, and booths

Continue reading “Minne-Faire: A Maker and DIY Exposition – April 13-14” →

Women Host: Intro to Mosaics

Mosaic
Join Women Host at The Hack Factory for an introduction and demonstration to mosaic art on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, starting at 7pm.

This month we will be learning about the art of mosaics and how to get started in making your own. The evening will start with a discussion of the history and process for creating mosaics. Followed by a demonstration of the basic tools and techniques, as well as examples of finished mosaic pieces. Feel free to come with questions or your own mosaics to share.

Signup for Women Host: Intro to Mosaics, it’s free!

Feel free to bring a beverage (BYOB) to enjoy while we sit and chat about our current and future projects. We hope to see you there!

Women Host at The Hack Factory is the last Tuesday of every month. It is a night that is open to all women in our community to demonstrate, share and connect. We believe everyone should have access to our resources and open exchange of information. Future events will continue to be posted here or on the Women Host at The Hack Factory Facebook page – please like us! This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Project storage cleanup

Hey folks!  Q4 Clean up is this Saturday January 12th – 10am-3pm

We have moved our Q4 clean up from December to January as we know that many folks have stuff going on over the coming holiday season.  This time around we are going to focus on member storage.  What does that mean?  All items in member/project storage will be removed from the shelves (and the back bathroom/storage).  If you have a project that you don’t want us to move, talk with an area or shop manager.  We are flexible, but do need to get these cleaned out.  The goal is to have space available for active projects.  Any item that is not a work in progress or supporting a class function should be taken home.  We are trying this first, as we have a lot of stuff that has not been worked on in 6+ months to over a year gathering dust on our project storage shelves.  If this continues to be an issue, we will start charging for the use of project storage.  We also will be reviewing items bigger then a bread box/small appliance that are not part of an active project or is unavailable for communal use.  This review will happen after we  have completed the Q4 project storage clean up.

Going forward, we will request that all items in project storage are placed inside a 12-13 gallon “attached lid container” (Max of 24″ D x 16″ W x 12.5″ H).  We are going to standardize Continue reading “Project storage cleanup” →

Replica Movie Prop Party

Local members of The Replica Prop Forum will be having a Prop Party on Saturday, January 19 starting at 3PM at The Hack Factory.  Ever wanted to see what a “real” raygun, phaser or lightsaber from movies and TV looks like?  This is the time to find out!  Talk to the builders and collectors of replica movie memoribilia and have your deepest questions answered.  Feel free to bring any props, models or costumes of your own that you want to show off.

IMG_2949 s

OpenSlide Open House: Friday 9/21

This Friday from 6pm to 10pm, stop by the Hack Factory and meet Terence Tam, creator of the OpenBeam construction system. Terence is bringing along some OpenBeam pieces for people to play with and hack on. And if cool aluminum extrusion systems aren’t enough for you, there will also be pizza…

OpenBeam is an aluminum rail system designed to use standard M3 nuts and screws, instead of pricey T-nuts or specialized connectors. The slots are also designed to hang onto 1/8″ thick materials — a common size for laser-cut plywood or acrylic.

This looks like a really cool (and reasonably priced) building system. Come by on Friday and try it out for yourself!

Quarterly Clean-Up: This Saturday (6/30/2012)

It’s time once again to do some concentrated clean-up around the space. We’ll be doing our quarterly cleaning this Saturday, June 30, starting at 10:00 am. This time the focus will be on sweeping up the accumulated cruft behind machines and workbenches, along with the usual straightening up and throwing out. Remember, the more people that show up, the less any one of those people will have to do!

After cleaning up, the grill will be fired up and the goofing off will commence. See you Saturday!

Open Hack Night On Wednesday

Every Wednesday we have an open house @ The Hack Factory, it’s a time for members and new comers alike to socialize and get to know Twin Cities Maker. If you have never been to the Hack Factory before, Wednesday night is the best time to come. There are usually people working on various project, and definitely people willing to help out or give some insight into what you are trying to accomplish with your own projects. It’s a great time, check out some of the pictures to see a bit of what it is like.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615

The Hack Factory is located at:

3119 E. 26th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Twin Cities Maker a collective of people that together rent The Hack Factory, we all pay dues and luckily it’s just about enough to cover the expenses of our space, we are currently a bit light and are looking for a few new members to get us into the black, and into a place where we can start saving for the next tool, or event budgets. If you are interested in becoming a member it’s easy there are few different ways, and a few different types of memberships, check out the Membership page for more information. Also if this is something that you think is valuable in the community and would like to see it continue, and grow consider giving Twin Cities Maker a donation, we also take equipment donations depending on what you have and what we have.

Monsters are Coming to the Minne-Faire!

The Monsters Under the Bed Art Shanty will be making an appearance at the April 14th Minne-Faire.

This is possibly the last chance to see “Monsters” in the wild.

 

“With their unique spatial and dietary requirements, under-the-bed Monsters rarely get to visit and socialize with other Monsters…until now. Visitors to Monster Under the Bed Shanty can release their inner monsteryness while exploring the size and scope of being human in a unique visual and interactive space. In addition to providing an outlet for Monsters of all shapes, sizes, and artistic inclination, Monsters Under the Bed Shanty provides continuity within the Art Shanty Project; where Tiny Shanty allowed humans to feel huge in a tiny world Monsters Under the Bed Shanty will allow participants to feel tiny under and on a giant a bed.” Monsters Shanty Blog

 

This is a coming home for the Monsters team as much of the construction and preparation took place right here at the Hack Factory.Reading Monsters by Wtarfive, on Flickr

 

It is not too late to include your project in this year’s Minne-Faire.

Contact us at fair@tcmaker.or or fill out the form!