Hot Pop at Maker Extravaganza 2017

We love Maker Festival because it’s a place where robots, craft, science, and digital fabrication come together. Like no other event in Toronto it unites the young and old, and novices and experts, in a celebration of learning and collaboration through making. The 2017 edition took place this past weekend and it was great! We are completely energized by the dozens of amazing creators we met and chatted with, to say nothing of all the clever and inventive projects we saw. Immersive LED installations, a bicycle-wheel powered oversized spirograph, and a range of Rube Goldeberg machines and crazy contraptions – there were were so many highlights it’s hard to choose a favourite moment.

Beyond proudly supporting the festival as a Community Partner, our presence at Maker Extravaganza had two goals: celebrate the work of some of our amazing customers and collaborators, and let people know what their options are so they can start creating themselves. As was the case last year, we had colour and material palettes handy for perusal by the curious, but what really captured our visitors’ imagination was the pieces we had on display. So, without further ado, here is some of the projects we featured.

We were excited to showcase some of ProseandFawns elegant lasercut lettering alongside a pair of colourful textile pieces from Yvan and Robyn at Totem Design Co. On the fashion front, Steve from Dalo Jewels lent us some of his beautiful perforated leather bracelets to display. We also featured clever lighting prototypes by OTI Lumionics, gorgeous etched cutting boards by Swaine Street Woodworking, and our own Wishing Bird even made an appearance. Beyond the pieces pictured above, we showed off the sleek industrial designs of Area 91 and the latest Canada 150 accessories by White Feather Designs. More pics to come on our social feeds in the coming week! Thanks to the designers for lending us their work and to everyone at Maker Festival that stopped by to ogle it and chat.

Huge congratulations are in order to all at Maker Festival, the impact their volunteer team has is amazing! Best of all – the fun’s not over yet as Maker Festival has declared the entire month of July a ‘Month of Making’ and they (through their partner organizations) are offering scores of workshops and classes at venues all over the city. Contribute to a hackathon, take a workshop, attend a social – the 2017 Maker Extravaganza may be over but there are still lots of opportunities to get involved (and learn some new skills in the process).

Inspired yet? Share your latest passion project idea with us and let’s make it real together!