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Virtual Maker Fest
Virtual Maker Fest is Here!
Join us Saturday, February 27, 12-4 p.m. for a virtual celebration of arts, crafts, engineering, technology, and the DIY movement. Maker Fest features curious and enthusiastic creators from the community, including hobbyists, crafters, local businesses, and other DIYers.
Ready to start creating? Register HERE! Experiences and presenters subject to change.
Tentative Schedule
12 p.m.
Welcome!
12:05 p.m.
Demo: So ‘Fused | Glass Art
Jayne Herring shares the art of glass fusion and the kiln-firing technology required to create beautiful and useful art pieces.
12:25 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: Poster Printer
12:30 p.m.
Demo: HDC Fabrication | Cosplay
Tim will demonstrate the building of a cosplay engineering project.
12:50 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: Embroidery Machine
12:55 p.m.
Hands-on: Dazzling Discoveries | Engineering with Paper
Create a catapult game with recycled materials found in your home!
Supplies: paper, tape, markers, and scissors.
1:15 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: 3D Printer
1:20 p.m.
Hands-on: Edyta Stepien | Macramé Wall Hanging
Learn macramé basics while making your very own macramé wall art.
Supplies: stick or dowel, 12 strings of rope 10 feet long (cotton rope 4, 5, or 6 mm, polyester rope, or thick yarn), 2 S-hooks, painters tape or scotch tape, a rolling rack for clothes (for the hanging project).
1:40 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: Poster Printer
1:45 p.m.
Demo: Digital Services Staff Showcase
Part 1: Jabez from Digital Services goes behind the scenes of the Library Scoop podcast and demonstrates podcasting basics.
Part 2: Librarian Ruth demonstrates foundational sewing techniques.
2:05 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: Egg-bot
2:10 p.m.
Demo: Teen Showcase
Catch Teen Undergrounders as they create different craft and tech specialties while taking a glimpse into their creative process.
2:30 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: Embroidery Machine
2:35 p.m.
Hands-on: KidSpace Fun | Homemade Playdough
KidSpace librarian Allison gets her hands messy while making homemade playdough and putty.
Supplies: marshmallows, baking soda, canola or vegetable oil, dish soap, corn starch, food coloring, bowls, spoons, measuring cups, microwave
2:55 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: 3D Printer
3 p.m.
Demo: PaisleyandGlue | Cosplay
Cosplay artist Maggie demonstrates how to turn basic character or dance shoes into a unique witchy costume piece.
3:15 p.m.
Creative Studio Equipment: Laser Cutter
3:20 p.m.
Hands-on: Esther’s Place | Wet Felting
Natasha Lehrer Lewis creates a beautiful flower through the process of wet felting.
Supplies: felting kit, water, dish soap, and towel. Pick up felting kit at the Library ahead of time.
3:45 p.m.
Q&A with Presenters
3:55 p.m.
Goodbyes
Click here to send in a picture of your participation in the Virtual Maker Fest for a chance to be entered to win a $50 gift card to Michaels!
Featured Presenters
Dazzling Discoveries
Dazzling Discoveries is an organization that teaches hands-on science and technology classes to children through accessible and affordable projects.
Esther Place is a farm and vibrant fiber art studio, located about an hour from Chicago, that provides an inspiring retreat for fiber enthusiasts.
'Fused Glass
Jayne Herring is primarily a fused and blown glass artist, with influences from geometrics, colors and textures of nature, Southwest and African art, and Frank Lloyd Wright.
HDC Fabrication
Tim Harrison is an award-winning, master-level costumer and fabricator who founded Harrison Designs and Concepts (HDC), which offers courses in practical effects, sculpting, casting, foam-smithing, leatherworking, sewing, and metal-work.
PaisleyandGlue
Maggie is a theatrical costume maker, educator, and cosplayer based in Chicago with over 10 years of professional experience making costumes for more than 80 stage productions.
Mixed Media Artist Edyta Stepien
Edyta Stepien is a mixed media artist that lives and works in Chicago. Her artistic practice encompasses large scale video and sight specific installations, ceramics and fiber art. In her work she is blurring boundaries between what is natural and synthetic, what is organic and mechanic. She is creating hybrid immersive environments.