May 21, 2012 
It was Maker Faire this past weekend, when all things steampunk and hacker and craft converge in one place, with fire-breathing and glow-the-the-dark robots. And this upside-down orchestra, rigged up to a computer with all the instruments overhead.
maker faire, weekend sound in weekend sound Jun 1, 2009 I learned the term steampunk at Maker Faire yesterday. Then I promptly polled my friends who were close at hand, and learned, yes, I am about 15 years late to the party. I feel like the last kid to find everyone in the closet during a game of Sardines. If you're like me and aren't sure what I'm talking about, you can learn more about steampunks here, here and here.
This is a fantasy, steam-powered world of brass curiosities and spare watch parts, with lots of calligraphy, wood, lace, and plenty of tinkering. There are even steampunk belly dancers.
And keyboards that look like they could be connected to steam furnaces.
Where else but Maker Faire, could I wander from a mini-steampunk village to a pavillion full of people crocheting stuffed animals with sewing machines whirring in the background? Over in the Craft pavilion, I met Kristin of Craft Leftovers, who creates projects from our leftover bits of fabric and yarn and paper. You can find her patterns and tutorials at Craft Leftovers, where you can also buy this lovely monthly zine. This month’s included a handful of topics, from making coasters to curried walnut chicken wraps. It also includes this little mix of spout seeds and a how-to for a Mason jar sprouter.
I have confessed my love of hand-drawn, DIY zines before. This is one more for that ever-growing list.
maker faire in etc 
