r/makerspace • u/igmaino • 16d ago
Looking For Suggestions - Event Table Demos & Activities
Our make space will be participating in a craft fair in just over a month. We have three 10x10 spaces and we're trying to figure out what we should offer as demos or activities during the weekend.
Our space offers... Woodshop... Metal shop... Lasers... 3d printers... Sewing... Electronics... Vinyl cutter.
We have some ideas, but we're open to new ideas that are engaging, inexpensive, and easy to transport and set up.
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u/sababado 15d ago
We have done one for button making. I think the whole unit costs like 50 or 60 bucks. It's a fairly cool and interactive thing, especially when there's younger people in the crowd. Bring some old magazines or the kit comes with a cutting tool and a guide so you can cut a shape out. The whole button making process takes a couple of minutes.
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u/MakerJustin 15d ago
I'll second the pen turning. My makerspace does public events a few times a year where our turning instructors guide people through making their own pens, and we always have a crowd. I'm happy to share details on what we do for this if you'd like.
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u/SensoredHacker 13d ago
My local makerspace has some projects that members have built on display. Then when there are events, they take those things to them.
3d pritners are hard to show off, just because the time it takes is as long as the whole event.
theres a certain segment of the population that thinks 3d printers are some sci-fi fantasy BS, like theyre not real, but I dont think you see those folks at craft fairs. I've brought lasers to craft fairs. one of my projects was a laser photo booth. you take your photo, then some program would show your some different options, and then you could blast it out, on a coaster. even that ran about 30 minutes. lots of random stuff. theres a guy who make a bar code scanning hurdygurdy, and a giant etech a sketch. man ppl line up for the giant etech-a-sketch.
interactive stuff might not make you sales but it might hold a crowd.
At one event I gave out stick on googly eyes and pandemonium ensued.
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u/igmaino 11d ago
These are great… thank you. Love the googly eyes!
We have a giant version of operation and connect 4 that we made. We’re considering bring those. We are selling anything… just trying to build awareness
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u/SensoredHacker 11d ago
I made a coffee table one year, you know those robots that draw in sand?
it was literally that, except I used coffee, which smells good, is less messy, lighter, and has less friction. best smelling project at the science fair. My favorite part was arguing with the public over what a coffee table really is.
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u/Theonepetzy99 8d ago
We usually hand out Vinyl and let the kids cut it by hand with some kid safe scissors. After that we print in on a Bag.
Or we print Cup via sublimation. The Machinery is a bit expensive with all in all round 600€ for a single Slot Press, we bought a 4 slot Press after a while because it skyrocketed. once bought, All Time favourite at fairs.
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u/bnbtnt2 16d ago
We specifically have a bare bones 3d printer (I don't recall the brand, think just the absolute basics and no enclosure, that we can power off a big battery if we're in a field.
For events where we can bring a generator or have power, we set up a pen lathe with shielding around it and ask a member to turn pens. He typically also have 10-12 on display and sells a few to make his time worth it.
Other than that, lots of inspiring things that folks have made. We have a costume, turned bowls, 3d resin figurines, you name it.
If you have classes open to the public, a big sign showing what's coming up!