New Video for Maker Faire:NC

We put together this short video about Maker Faire North Carolina's 2011 event.  Enjoy!

While we were at it we went ahead and embedded all the relevant Maker Faire North Carolina videos we could find on our new Videos page. If you have a video somewhere that you'd like us to add then, like always, shoot us a line.

Exhibitor Applications / Meet your Maker Coordinator

Hi folks!  In case you weren't aware, Maker Faire: NC grew a LOT last year.  Enough so that we've created a position called "Maker Coordinator".  That's me, Kevin Gunn.

I am actively seeking out great makers that can "Increase the Awesome" at MFNC 2012.  I'm also hoping that if you know great makers with wonderful things to share that you will get THEM to seek out ME.  If it deserves to be at Maker Faire: NC, it's my job to make that happen.

In the next week or so you'll be able to apply to exhibit at Maker Faire: NC.  New sign-up forms will go up designed to make the application process as streamlined as possible while also helping us evaluate which applicants will make the best use of our finite space.  Before that, though, you might be wonder exactly what we're looking in Makers applying to exhibit.  I'm glad you asked!

The best applicants will be working at the intersection of creativity and innovation and will have a plan for actively engaging attendees.

I'll try to elaborate on that a bit more in the online application, but that should give you a general feel for what we're seeking.  Do note that "innovation" does not equal "technology".  It can and often does, but that's certainly not a restriction, so I chose that word with care.

We're also looking for what we're calling "spectacles".  These are generally things that don't go in a booth.  Last year's highly successful near space balloon launch is a good example.  We're going to be actively pursuing some of these as well, so if you have suggestions (preferably with contact information) send them in!

So think over what you want to do.  Think about ways to really engage with people.  Then watch for applications to become available Real Soon Now.

If you have a burning question that can't wait another second, or if you have a spectacular spectacle you'd like to suggest, please drop me a note at kevin@makerfairenc.com.  Thanks!

MFNC Visits with Roy Underhill and ShopBot

Our friends at ShopBot were host yesterday to legendary woodworker Roy Underhill.  Roy's show, The Woodwright's Shop, has been a staple of PBS programming for 30 years.  Many a Maker has grown up enjoying his wit, talent, and showmanship.

Educational kit-maker Ben Harris of Harris Educational organized the meeting that also included ShopBot, Hines Design Labs, and, of course, Maker Faire North Carolina.  Roy toured the remarkable ShopBot facility and was impressed at the machine's abilities.  We all discussed the remarkable history of Makers in North Carolina especially Thomas Day whose furniture and homes are extraordinary.  After our tour we had lunch at the home of ShopBot founder Ted Hall and then went to Pittsboro to visit Roy Underhill's Woodwright's School for demonstrations of traditional woodcrafting.  We topped off an amazing day at the inimitable gallery/lounge/coffee shop/bar/club Davenport and Winkleperry.

As of this month it has been three years since our small group started planning the first Maker Faire North Carolina.  I am amazed at how far we have come and how many amazing people I have met.  Thanks for making it all possible, North Carolina!

Click here to see more photos.

MFNC 2K12: Increasing the Awesome

The second Maker Faire North Carolina was very cool.  I have only fielded one complaint and that's pretty impressive for an event attended by well over 4000 people.  Since we wrapped up last month I have also received dozens of suggestions for improving and tweaking Maker Faire North Carolina and I am taking them all to heart!

I am proud to announce the theme for Maker Faire North Carolina 2012: Increasing the Awesome.  I'm not a big fan of themes, generally speaking, but I want our third birthday to be something incredible.  How are we going to change MFNC?  It's hard to say exactly... I agonize over the verbiage on the Maker application because I'm trying to define the event for applicants.  Instead I think it will be easier to define for you what Maker Faire North Carolina isn't.  Here is one definition that comes straight from MAKE:

Maker Faire is not a trade show. We see Maker Faire primarily as an opportunity for people to share ideas and projects. So Maker Faire is non-commercial in nature, in that we don't want it dominated by traditional sales and marketing. Instead, we hope to create authentic interactions that satisfy each person's interests. At the same time, we're not anti-commercial. We are grateful to have businesses as sponsors. We also allow makers to show their work and offer items for sale. We want to help makers succeed in starting a business, if that's their goal. However, we don't want to change the look and feel or spirit of the event.

Maker Faire should not be become a platform for politics or religion.

Perhaps, for some of you, that's as clear as mud.  It's certainly murky for many but if you read between the lines it speaks to a spirit of event that our community sorely needs.  Maker Faire North Carolina 2012 will be far more Inspirational Show and Tell and far less Buy This Product.  I think that we had a tremendous showing of very talented Makers at the 2011 event but it wound up skewing a little too commercial for my taste.  The goal of this event is to inspire, educate, inform, and stimulate and we can't do that without amazing projects and ideas that often have very little direct commercial value.

The application process for Makers in 2012 is not yet open but I can tell you that the organizers will be far more selective this year.  We will be focusing more on projects and less on products.  Hands-on, interactive, and community-focused projects will be especially encouraged.  We will have fewer Makers with larger spaces to show their projects.  This is not a hard and fast rubric because I simply can't make one.  I can certainly tell you that 2012 will be the best Maker Faire North Carolina ever and that we will be working hard to increase the awesome for you.

I and the other organizers are planning some great things and we're opening our hearts to inspiration.  We will be traveling to Maker Faire Detroit, Maker Faire New York, Maker Faire Rhode Island, and maybe some more this year.  I bought a new Moleskine notebook specifically for recording ideas for MFNC 2K12!

Stay tuned and remeber to increase the awesome!

-Jon

Etsy Craft Night August

In addition to there being another awesome Etsy Craft Night hosted at TechShop RDU in August I'm also happy to tell you that I'll be one of the speakers!

Check it out!

August 9th at TechShop RDU.