Meet a Maker: Liz McFarland and CRASH Space
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As excitement builds for the upcoming Los Angeles Maker Faire, one participant in particular is gearing up to inspire and captivate attendees: Liz McFarland. With a rich background in cosplaying and technical writing, Liz brings a unique blend of storytelling and craftsmanship to the event. Her affiliation with CRASH Space—a vibrant collective of hackers, programmers, builders, makers, and artists—highlights a shared commitment to advancing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) through community engagement, workshops, and public events. This synergy fosters a nurturing environment for creative minds to explore and expand their potential.
Liz’s maker journey is characterized by a curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and experimenting with various tools and techniques. From her initial forays into sewing with her mother to her sophisticated, electronically actuated cosplay wings, her path exemplifies the maker ethos. “Being a Maker means that I value creating for creating’s sake,” Liz explains, a sentiment that resonates deeply within the CRASH Space community. At the Los Angeles Maker Faire + City of STEM, Liz and her fellow CRASH Space members are not just showcasing individual projects; they’re inviting attendees into a world where innovation, collaboration, and creativity converge. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just curious about the maker movement, you’ll find inspiration in Liz’s story and the collective spirit of CRASH Space. Join us at the Maker Faire to discover the joy of making, learn from the experiences of others, and maybe even kickstart your own creative journey. Reserve your ticket today on Eventbrite
Meet a Maker: Travis Hughes and Scarab: the Environmental Data Collection Robot
As the countdown to this year’s Los Angeles Maker Faire + City of STEM Festival ticks away, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of the incredible Makers who will be showcasing their innovations. Meet the self-taught Arduino-based, robotics developer, Travis Hughes. Beyond his Maker identity, Travis leads an adventurous life filled with cycling, bouldering, hiking, and exploring the nooks and crannies of forgotten places. His journey into the world of making began with a simple, yet charming, music box project and has since evolved into the creation of “Scarab,” a personal exploration robot designed to navigate and document the unseen beauty of abandoned sites.
Travis embodies the spirit of the Maker movement, stating, “To me, being a Maker means being someone who embraces their creativity, learns from failure, and keeps trying when they do fail.” It’s this ethos that he hopes to share with attendees at the upcoming Los Angeles Maker Faire. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a robotics aficionado, or simply curious about the boundless world of making, Travis’ booth promises to be a hub of inspiration and creativity.
Join us in celebrating the ingenuity and perseverance of Makers like Travis, and discover how you, too, can embrace the Maker identity within. Don’t miss your chance to meet Travis in person at the Los Angeles Maker Faire + City of STEM. Reserve your ticket today on Eventbrite and come witness firsthand the incredible potential of tech and robotics to enrich our explorations and creative endeavors.
Meet a Maker: Katherine Connell (AKA Smalls) and Sprite Lights
In a world where innovation and personal expression collide, Katherine Connell, affectionately known as TheSmallWonder or Smalls, stands out as a lighthouse of creativity and ingenuity. Born in the heart of Silicon Valley, Smalls’ earliest memories are steeped in the art of making— from constructing robot kits with her mom to assisting her dad with homemade graphic cards. Without a formal background in engineering, Smalls embraces the true spirit of a self-taught maker, proving that with enough curiosity and fearlessness, anyone can transform their visions into reality. This year, at the Los Angeles Maker Faire, Smalls invites you to experience the magic of Sprite Lights, her latest venture that marries technology with the ephemeral beauty of light-up wearable body art. Imagine the intrigue of temporary tattoos, now enhanced with the glow of LEDs, perfect for setting you apart at any nighttime event or indoor gathering.
As we count down to the unveiling of Sprite Lights on Kickstarter this April, Smalls’ journey from a curious child in a tech-savvy household to a pioneer in electronic body art serves as a testament to the boundless possibilities within the Maker movement. She hopes to inspire attendees with a simple yet powerful message: “DON’T GIVE UP! Your idea is absolutely possible.” Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a curious newcomer, Smalls’ story and her innovative creations remind us that the path to realizing our dreams is paved with trial, error, and the unyielding belief in our ideas.
So, if you’re ready to be dazzled and inspired, make sure to visit Smalls’ booth at the Los Angeles Maker Faire. Witness firsthand the brilliance of Sprite Lights and perhaps, spark a bright idea of your own.
Join Katherine and our other Makers for a celebration of creativity, technology, and community at the 2024 Los Angeles Maker Faire + City of STEM Festival. Reserve your ticket today and let’s light up the world together—one LED at a time.
Meet a Maker: Mark Roden and Tetra Bio Distributed
Ahead of this year’s LA Maker Faire + City of STEM, we are spotlighting a few of the Makers who will be joining us on Saturday, April 6 at the Los Angeles State Historic Park.
We’re thrilled to introduce one of the ingenious minds you’ll have the pleasure of meeting: Mark Roden, a computational wizard and co-founder of Tetra Bio Distributed. His journey from biology to real estate, with significant detours through biomedical engineering and the news industry, has been driven by a relentless desire to solve real-world problems. Amid the pandemic’s peak, Mark pivoted from ticketing to leverage his biomedical engineering skills, collaborating with a group of passionate individuals to establish Tetra Bio. Their mission: tackle health-related issues head-on. Their flagship innovation, the Tetra PAPRa, symbolizes the essence of making by delivering N100-level protection—even for those with beards. This engineering marvel significantly improves lives beyond the workshop.
When asked what being a maker means to him, Mark shared, “Being a maker means being proficient in the physical world, able to craft solutions to problems without being dependent on a company’s product. Their solution may be cheaper and more elegant, but the pride I feel in what my team and I build is unparalleled because we built it ourselves.”
Mark’s journey from professional to maker is not just inspiring; it’s a call to action for all of us to see problems as opportunities to learn, create, and innovate. From their initial ventilator splitter to the innovative PAPRa, Tetra Bio’s trajectory exemplifies the Maker movement’s core: breaking down barriers and democratizing the creation of complex, life-enhancing solutions. As the Los Angeles Maker Faire approaches, Mark hopes attendees are inspired to break through the mystique surrounding technology and harness the power of making. Whether you’re an experienced maker or simply curious about the realm of DIY innovation, Mark’s story and Tetra Bio’s creations provide a fascinating glimpse into the potential unleashed when passion meets persistence. Don’t miss your opportunity to immerse yourself in the innovative spirit of Tetra Bio Distributed and, perhaps, begin your own maker journey.
Join Mark and our other Makers in action at the 2024 Los Angeles Maker Faire + City of STEM Festival. Reserve your ticket today and embark on an unforgettable adventure of creativity and innovation.
Excitement Awaits at the 2024 LA Maker Faire + City of STEM!
On April 6, dive into a world of innovation and creativity at the Los Angeles State Historic Park – admission is completely free, no tickets necessary! But, we’ve got something special for those who register.
This year, we’re thrilled to have over 190 makers ready to share their passions and projects with you. It’s not just an event; it’s a community celebration that’s shaping up to be our biggest and most vibrant yet!
Why Register?
While entry is free for all, registering on Eventbrite offers you a magical plus: the chance to win amazing prizes! Imagine hearing your name called from the Main Stage between 10 – 11 a.m. and walking away with something spectacular. Remember, you need to be there to claim your prize, making the day even more exciting.
Stay in the Loop
We’re also bringing back the Whova app this year to make your experience seamless. Navigate the event, connect with fellow attendees, and get real-time updates, all at your fingertips. Keep an eye out for details on how to download it.
Before You Go
Don’t forget to visit our Attend page for all the practical info on parking and transit, ensuring your day is hassle-free.
So, ready to make the most of your Maker Faire experience? Register on Eventbrite now and secure your spot in the prize draw.
Let’s celebrate innovation, creativity, and community together. We can’t wait to see you there!
DTLA Mini Maker Faire Shuts Down Fifth Street with Record Attendance
Despite a bit of rain, a record crowd of 10,000 (including a family of five who drove from Utah to be a part of the festivities) made their way to Central Library for the fourth annual DTLA Maker Faire on Saturday afternoon. More than 115 makers were on hand to show off their innovative and ingenious creations, from a series of different robotics exhibits, to replica dinosaur fossils that were created using a 3D printer, and even a Conceptual Fashion Show, which closed out the afternoon.
Expanding on the footprint of last year’s Maker Faire, this year’s event saw makers throughout the library, in the Maguire Gardens and, for the first time, out on Fifth St. in front of the library. With the street closed to traffic, a number of new makers were able to participate in their first Maker Faire, showing off a Mazda Miata that had been converted from gas to electric, the Students Think STEAM Initiative’s Airstream Trailer and a pair of arenas that featured full-on robot battles.
In addition to the dedicated work of countless librarians, volunteers and other staff members, this year’s DTLA Maker Faire was also supported by the following sponsors: Google, Norby, Mattel, The Broad Foundation, Microduino, We Are Giants, the team from Councilmember Huizar’s CD 14, and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.
Meet the Makers: Norby, Microduino, and Mattel
DTLA Mini Maker Faire 2019 is happening this Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m at Central Library. Our Makers are getting ready to showcase their projects, inventions, craftsmanship, and creativity. Check out some of our must-see Makers.
Microduino
Microduino is aimed at bringing easy-to-use electronic hardware to makers, designers, engineers, students, and curious tinkerers of all ages and levels. Microduino will be presenting the world’s smallest series of Arduino-compatible smart modules that are small, flexible, stackable, powerful, and can be used to create a limitless amount of DIY projects.
Blurring the Digital with Physical Play
Mattel will be bringing a novel Hot Wheels playset that had been modified to blur the line between digital and physical play. Makers will show you how to do it and the process that it took to make things flow naturally. Mattel will also be showcasing a Fisher Price Power Wheels Jeep customized for kids with disabilities, bringing the power of play and mobility to kids that have been hospitalized.
Norby Robotics
Norby is an interactive learning companion for kids aged 5+. He teaches English, math and coding through stories, games and puzzles. Through positive feedback and encouragement, Norby helps build confidence and keeps kids emotionally engaged in learning.
Download the App Today!
DTLA Maker Faire will be using Whova again to help you navigate all the fun at this year’s Faire. Please register on Eventbrite before downloading the app. On Whova you can view the schedule and maps, build your personal agenda, view food vendor discounts, connect with other attendees, and more. Download the app and use the invitation code LAMMF2019 to get started today.
Meet the Makers: Joan and Rich from Nonscriptum
Ahead of DTLA Mini Maker Faire 2019, we are spotlighting a few of the Makers who will be joining us December 7. Nonscriptum is a two-person partnership that writes books about and trains people in maker technologies. They have been developing math and science models using 3D prints to explain a wide variety of math and science concepts. We reached out to Joan and Rich and asked them to tell us a bit more about what they do and what they will be showcasing at this year’s Faire.
DTLA Mini Maker Faire is free, open to the public, and fun for everyone! Register today and visit our Facebook event to RSVP.
Meet a Maker – Fashion Designer James Paul Ancheta
Ahead of DTLA Mini Maker Faire 2018 we are spotlighting a few of the Makers who will be joining us December 1. James Paul Ancheta is an eco-conscious fashion designer who previously worked for Vivienne Westwood. We met up with him to discuss the environmental impacts of fashion design, how he came to join the Maker Movement, and what he hopes attendees will take away from Maker Faire.
DTLA Mini Maker Faire 2018 takes place Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles. This event is free, open to the public, and fun for the everyone! We encourage attendees to register on our Eventbrite page. Check out the schedule of talks, performances, and workshops to help plan your day at the Faire.
*Please note that space is limited for all ticketed workshops. Tickets will be assigned on a first come, first served basis at check in.
Meet a Maker – Barb from Crash Space & reDiscover Center
Ahead of DTLA Mini Maker Faire 2018 we are spotlighting a few of the Makers who will be joining us December 1. Barb is a DTLA Mini Maker Faire veteran and returns this year for her third appearance. She is on the Board of Crash Space and works as a Director of Programs for reDiscover Center. We caught up with her to discuss her journey in joining the Maker community, why public libraries are a natural fit for the Maker Movement, and the importance of children becoming Makers.
DTLA Mini Maker Faire 2018 takes place Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles. This event is free, open to the public, and fun for the everyone! We encourage attendees to register on our Eventbrite page.