Recently I was interviewed by Make Magazine for their series Meet the Makers. You can listen to the podcast here. What follows is some extra links, photos, and resources that help illustrate the projects I mentioned in the interview.
I was incredibly flattered when Mark Frauenfelder asked me if I wanted to be one of the makers interviewed for the MAKE Podcast. I jumped at the chance. Now, having concluded the interview just a few minutes ago I wanted to share some links to the projects I mentioned, offer up a little further reading, and provide downloads for the open source designs I alluded to during my chat with Mark.
Here is a picture of the metal rod tensegrity structure I mentioned. Here’s a photo of the load bearing one that was a class project way back in college.
I talked for a bit about Smooth-On, the company that makes a whole bunch of mold making and casting projects, and how they had a tutorial on getting a metal look using cast plastic and metalized powder. I’ve found the relevant section inside one of their Youtube videos here. You might also want to look into the SFX powder pigment Pearl-Ex for playing with adding cool colors and effects into your casting/sculpting projects.
If you’d like to find out more about my huge mobile pipe organ project, The Anywhere Organ, you can find pictures up on Flickr, a running record of the progress I’m making up on its Tumblr, video of it in action here, and downloads for the design on Thingiverse.
I also had a chance to talk about my Bokode at Home project. It’s a derivation of MIT’s Bokode project which was done through Ramesh Raskar’s Camera Culture group. The files I developed, some laser cut plans, and some Bokode patterns I drew up are all available to download off of Thingiverse. The project I mentioned that used film as a way of making tiny tiny printed codes is on Flickr here. Look through that photostream around that same date for more details on the method.
The silver TARDIS ring I designed is available to buy on my Etsy store. I’ve got some documentation on how it was made and the different versions I designed here and here. The company I use to print my high resolution jewelry and cast the metal is called Best-Cast. They’re very quick with turning digital files into finished jewelry pieces, but sometimes communication is a problem. I’d recommend them if you’ve already had some experience in metalsmithing and really know what you’re looking for. I’ve also used JR Casting for projects like the Bioshock Belt Buckles and my Laser Cut Leather goggles. They were really patient with helping me design my pieces and getting the best possible quality castings when I was just starting out.
A fresh pair of handcuffs just coming off the print platen.
You can find more detail on the Fairytale Fashion project I worked on with Diana Eng on my site and over on the official Fairytale Fashion site. The handcuffs I made are available for download on Thingiverse and you can catch a video of them in action here.
My own company, Sleek and Destroy has two branches. I love manufacturing methods and ideas. I love taking a problem or concept from the theoretical stage all the way to the point where I’ve got a working physical product. So, on the store I sell a bunch of jewelry and objects I want in my life. If you have a similar nerdy bent as I do, I think you’ll appreciate them. However, I’m also a consulting designer; a hired mercenary swinging in to tackle challenges and right the wrongs of a cruel and capricious world. If you have an ipossible seeming project in need of a gunslinging do-everything maker, I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a line through sm.rah@m
Learn more about me and what I do over on the About page and be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gianteye).
Leader photo and goggles by Mike Estee.
