Yesterday was a very full day, the family went to the Moonside Bakery, as is our Saturday tradition, carted the kid off to soccer practice, the humped over the hill to the Maker Faire (still on today – two hot tips: buy your tickets online and pick them up at will-call, park in the Hayward Park CalTrain Station and take the free shuttle to the event. It has been “discovered” meaning it’s now like Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay…) After that, a quick dinner out and on to the HMB Library for a Puppet Show (which we missed due to being given the wrong start time) and finally home for some cards and bedtime. Whew, no wonder I’m tired.

The Maker Faire is bigger and in some ways, better, than ever. What a diverse crowd, from Granny’s teaching folks how to knit, to hackers showing off their latest iPhone feats, to Steampunks doing Steampunk things, of course Cyclecide bike rodeo, to Goths with body mods, all sprinkled with a large helping of geeks (and their families.) In short, there’s something there sure to interest anyone. The emphasis is on stuff you can make. Think of it as a large, geeky, freaky, hands-on arts and crafts show and you’ve got the picture.

The robots (below) are getting bigger and badder, my daughter loves to watch them bash each other to pieces. It takes me back to 1995 at Fort Mason when the first (and original) Robot Wars took place. When you entered, you were handed safety goggles and ear plugs…but I digress.

Sample Heavyweight Robot

Attribution: Mike Harding
I’m enamored of the power tool drag races, a competition held on a 75 foot long track made of wood. The idea is to modify powertools however you’d like, then put them on the track to see which vehicle is fastest. Perhaps I’ll add an entry next year… Check out this former circular saw:
Excellent Power Tool Drag Racer

Attribution: Mike Harding
The mobile blacksmith shop/show was a real hit. A “princess” gave my daughter a “dragon tear” (a pretty piece of plastic that looks like a lemon drop candy) and was selling unicorn shoes…needless to say, we left with our very own…
Unicorn Shoe

Attribution: Mike Harding
Another really cool, understated project was the magnetic sand table. It was a large (~2m square) table with a layer of fine sand. A largish ball bearing could then be directed via magnetic field around the table tracing images. We must have watch that for 15 minutes. It was very creative and led to some beautiful images.
Large magnetic sand table

Attribution: Mike Harding
We did see the Electric Giraffe (Rave ‘Raffe) again this year, but for some reason, it wasn’t as compelling to the wonder girl. Last year, that’s all she could talk about; the electric giraffe! We made about 5 visits back to see him during the course of the event. This year, it was a scratch, a tickle, a pet, and a giggle and we were off.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the visit for the munchkin was a trip to emiko-o reware, a do-it-yourself booth hosting jewelry construction. Both Emiko and Shana staffed the booth and were fantastically friendly and helpful as the little one constructed a necklace of her very own design from recycled toy parts. We spent an hour there working on the masterpiece and had consistent and frequent visits and encouragement from the artists. These two ladies have my extreme gratitude for their kindness and patience. Please visit the website, blog, and buy their jewelry (Shana | Emiko.) Check out the finished masterpiece below:
Special Homemade Necklace (5 year old version)

Attribution: Mike Harding

Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

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