It has been a difficult time these last few weeks since beginning our social distancing and remote learning. Especially here in the Makerspace; much of what we do is physical things. But luckily, there are many things for you to do from home as well! I have curated a few projects and projects sites for people at home to do to keep you and your loved ones busy and entertained!
Many of these links are in our pages covering all our machines, so if you’re feeling some deja vu, you have likely seen these links before!
You’re also free to research and do your own legwork, but I figured these would be an excellent jumping off point.
And it’s okay if you don’t feel like making! Feel free to scroll to to bottom to watch some Maker-Inspired Videos instead!
Designing for Laser & Vinyl Cutting
What better time is there to hone your vector imaging skills?
I’ve been told that students have been given a free Adobe CC licence, but I am not 100% sure. Or maybe you finally decided to purchase it. Just in case, I will also be sharing useful tutorials for Inkscape (a free program) as well.
While you might not be able to cut things (unless you already own a Cricut or Cameo machine), this can help you design files for the vinyl and laser cutter more easily!
For Adobe Illustrator:
- Gareth David Studio: Beginner’s Guide to Illustrator
- Dansky: Illustrator Basics in 3 Minutes
- Flow Graphics: Learn Illustrator in 5 Minutes
- Tech & Design: Illustrator Tutorial: Part 1 | Part 2
- Instructables: Creating a File for Laser Cutting in Illustrator (please note, their settings might not be the same. See our Laser Cutter page for the settings for our machine!)
For Inkscape:
- Inkscape provides their own tutorials. And even have interactive ones in the software!
- TJ FREE: Inkscape Tutorial
- Logos By Nick’s YouTube Channel has some Fantastic tutorials on working in Inkscape!
Please note if you are using Inkscape, Laser Cutter files must be saved as an EPS, Vinyl Cutter files as both an EPS and DXF.
3D Modeling
As some of you know, TinkerCad is an excellent place to start learning 3D modeling. Once you make your personal account, it provides a mini tutorial as well, but here are a few videos to look at as well!
- TinkerCad: Learn
- TinkerCad Tutorial by MatterHackers
- TinkerCad tutorial by all3DP
- PromoAmbitions: TinkerCad Tutorial
Physical Computing
Much of this assumes you have these materials at home, and unfortunately electronics may be difficult to purchase at this moment, but much luck if you decide to get an Arduno Kit! Please check out our Resource page for places where you can purchase components and kits!
In general Instructables, Make, and WikiHow are great places to start looking for projects in my opinion, I may share some, but as always, you can go and do your own thing!
With the Arduino:
- Getting Started with Arduino
- Introduction to Arduino on Arduino to go
- Physical Computing Projects on Adafruit
No Arduino Necessary:
- MakerBoat: DIY conductive Ink
- DIY Conductive and insulating dough (note: This is just play dough! even if you just want to sculpt without electronics it works!)
- Sparkfun: Making Soft Circuits
- Instructables: DIY Light-Up Card
- Instructables: Making a Potato Battery
Maker-Inspired Videos
- Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Dude’s been making stuff long before I was taking apart clocks and stuff. Build Projects and Kits that are one in one day!
- The HackSmith: Another prop builder I’ve been watching more recently
- How It’s Made: Oldie but goodie!
As some of you know, I love looking into historical production– looking into the way things were once made. Here’s some BBC shows that I like that cover some of that!
- A Stitch in Time (Historical Clothing): Charles II | Arnolfini Dress | The Hedgecutter Coat | Dido Belle | The Black Prince | Marie Antoinette
- Historic Farm Series (Agriculture & Homemaking): Tudor 1 2 3 4 5 6| Stuart | Victorian | Edwardian | Wartime (WWII)
- Tony Robinson’s Worst Jobs in History Playlist
- British Museum: How To… Playlist
- British Museum: Pleasant Vices (Food & Drink) Playlist(My personal favorite is the Egyptian Beer)
- Victorian Pharmacy (How they Made/Ran the earliest Pharmacies!)
- Secrets of the Castle (13th Century Norman Castle Life)
