Friday 25 April 2014

Maker Faire UK 2014

As a creative hub of designer-makers, we're excited to see what the 'Maker Faire' at Life has to offer. As well as an eclectic mix of inventors, street performers, musicians, a laser challenge, a giant robot made from 33 pink wheelie bins (the list goes on)...there are plenty of fabulous opportunities to get involved with local designer-makers.



Many of the businesses taking part offer an opportunity to make your very own souvenir to take away, including creating wire and washer jewellery and name plaques with Life centre, personalised souvenirs using the latest technology with 'Bettina Nissen' and up-cycling gifts with 'Crooked Halo Crafts' to name a few. Another local designer-maker taking part is our very own Dabble Dabble!

Dabble Dabble, AKA Chris Folwell, is a dabbler of illustration and printmaking, creating illustrations, woodblock prints and favouring screen prints built with several layers. The images range from adventurous such as vikings, rockets and maps, to more day to day images with a twist, such as a funky woodblock print of a crowned sausage chain (the Sausage King!) We're particularly partial to one of his most recent works, Burial Grounds, which is screen printed using glow in the dark ink. These masculine, hipsteresque designs wouldn't look out of place at Urban Outfitters, yet have the bonus of being locally produced and more limited (also without the mad price tags!) At Maker Faire, Dabble Dabble invites 'Little Print Makers' to create their very own print of their favourite thing at the event, which  can then be added to the banner and taken home to keep!







Another part of the faire we're looking forward to is the textiles and fashion exhibits. On one hand are 'Quilters Guild', who are working towards keeping traditional textile skills alive and will be passing on techniques such as quilting and patchwork. Whilst technology keeps the textile industry moving forward, there are still techniques that machines cannot replicate and that don't hold the same hand-made, personal qualities as traditional skills in textiles. On the other end of the scale is the 'Beam Dress', which is described as a 'space-age ball gown' composed of the same high-visibility fabrics and reflective strips as seen on safety jackets, definitely a traffic-stopping garment if there ever was one!

The Maker Faire only happens once a year in the UK and draws in stall holders from around the globe, so if you're into technology and geekery, into crafts, or just generally fancy something different to occupy your weekend, the event is Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th April and tickets are available on the door as follows:


ONE DAY TICKET (SATURDAY OR SUNDAY)

Adult: £8.95
Child (ages 2 – 17): £6.45
Child (under 2): FREE
Concessions: £7.25
Family (2 adults & 2 children OR 1 adult & 3 children): £24.10 

WEEKEND TICKET

Adult: £14.00
Child (ages 2 – 17): £9.50
Child (under 2): FREE
Concessions: £11.00
Family (2 adults & 2 children OR 1 adult & 3 children): £30.00

Here are some links to see more from Dabble Dabble:
Website: http://dabble-dabble.tumblr.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DabbleDabble
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dabble_Dabble
Shop: http://dabbledabble.bigcartel.com

Image credits to Maker Faire and Chris Folwell.

MK

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