General > Chit Chat

Maker Faire Vancouver and Vancouver Branch?

(1/1)

KnotMe:
So, I just returned from Maker Faire Vancouver (http://vancouver.makerfaire.ca/) and it was a madhouse (in a good way 8).  Four times bigger than last year, but still a fraction of the Bay Area (http://makerfaire.com/bayarea/2012/) juggernaut.  Maker Faires are fertile, creative and exciting places to be, brimming with hands-on type people who love to learn.  They have spread globally and if you look around (or check http://makerfaire.com/), you might find one in your neck of the woods.

Pat Ducey's teaching table was constantly swarmed.  My decorative table was also much admired.  My selected demo/free take away of rope style friendship bracelets made from embroidery floss was also very popular (although how much of that was due to the unique "power" tool (http://compare.ebay.com/like/221029862379?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y) used to make them, I'm not sure.   ;)

It seems that I should be making my own table for shows so I don't need to borrow Pat's.  Is there a better (more economical) source for ... 5mm(?) braided line than my local marine supply store (http://www.westmarine.com/http://www.westmarine.com/)?  I was asked about the treatment on the knots and from a long remembered conversation about knot boards, I suggested white glue diluted with water.  Wrong?

The booth saw many former scouts waxing nostalgic for their rope skills (and proudly demonstrating their knot knowledge to their companions 8).  A few boaters went by with stories of fenders and decorated bellpulls.  The sewers recognized the button knots.  A large cross section of people liked the wire knots (http://knottynotions.com/wire/flower).  One querent was looking for turks head help, so I sent him to Don (http://knottool.com/).  I must remember to make a monkey's fist before my next show because at least 2 people complained that I lacked for one.  :P :D

The tensegrity (http://geoburst.ca/stories/) guys wandered by to tell me that they used the jug sling and taut line hitch on their big models (I should have written it down, because I've probably remembered that incorrectly).

The jugglers (http://www.madskillzvancouver.com/) wandered by to demonstrate knot throwing (http://www.toddstrong.com/miscjuggling/knot_throwing.php).  They also mentioned a book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/handle-buy-box/ref=dp_start-bbf_1_glance) "Knot Throwing" by Bill Fry that I believe I must now get.  8)

A local Korean group is setting up an edutainment teaching centre and I offered maedeup instruction if they want it.

I got three extremely interested requests for a local branch meeting.  There were quite a few inquiries about the Guild and a number of disappointed faces when I explained that PAB meets in Los Angeles (which I take to be mildly interested requests for a local branch meeting 8).  Now, as I have just recently demonstrated, I don't know that I'm the one to be leading a general knot thing.   I'm certainly not the one to be discussing or teaching practical knots.  I don't think I've got a recent membership list, so are there any other local members other than David F. or Terry R. in Victoria?  (email is probably better for this in the name of privacy).

I forgot to say that there were many people with "Media" badges floating around taking pictures and video, including a guy with CNN on his shirt (but no media badge).  What real CNN would be doing in Vancouver for a non-news thingie (no one died!  nothing exploded! 8) I have no idea.  He filmed me and "interviewed" me by trying to script what I should say.  He also made me deliver the punch line to a lame joke about "tying the knot" with my spouse.  Despite the fact that this may or may not be good publicity for the group, I dearly hope it does not make it to air.  If anyone spots this, please tell me (and record if if possible).

squarerigger:
One way by which a group is formed is by interested people (i.e. you) getting together with other parties who may be interested - that was how we started!  BTW - sadly, Terry R has passed away, so you will not be able to get him to join up.  I am not as well informed about David F.

SR

Navigation

[0] Message Index

Go to full version