We're back from our weekend up north for the Maker Faire in San Mateo, and I think we survived! The bad news is that I somehow managed to forget our digital camera at my mom's house, so I can't (yet) share the photos we snapped at the faire (and I may not have the ability to post pics at all until I get my camera back... we'll see!). But, there are *loads* of photos of the faire on flickr, so there shouldn't be any shortage of photographic coverage!
The faire was much bigger than I expected, and there were tons of people there on Saturday. The exhibits were broken up into several exhibit halls surrounding a central courtyard where the Bazaar Bizarre was set up. I test drove a Zap Zebra - a 3-wheel electric car - but wasn't terribly impressed. The visibility in the car was terrible (I had to stick my head out the side window to see where I was going when turning left!), and if you have just one passenger in the back seat, they need to sit in the middle so that the frame of the car doesn't bottom out on the wheels. The interior was roomier than we expected (Jerry is 6'-4" and fit fine in the back seat), and the car is definitely cute, but I think we'll be holding off for something a bit more fine-tuned!
The faire was filled with all types of interesting and bizarre exhibits - robots, circuit bending, alternative energy sources, unusual computer interfaces, lego building extravaganzas, segway polo matches(!), etc. Lots and lots of creative people thinking up new (and occasionally useful) ways to use materials and/or technology. My main criticism of the faire was the lack of crafty exhibits. Although we all know that lots of crafters are out there using new and recycled materials to make fantastic things, they were not represented in the exhibits at this faire. In fact, were it not for Bazaar Bizarre, I'm not sure I could really say crafters were represented much at all.
Thankfully, there were a number of workshops covering craft-related topics, and I was lucky enough to get to attend the Knit a Toy workshop led by the super talented Jess Hutch! Not only does she make (and teach us to make) fantastic knitted toys, but she's an amazingly calm, organized, and collected chica! I'm not sure if I gushed too heavily when we chatted, but I was certainly thrilled to meet her and see first hand some of her toy knitting tips and tricks - thanks Jess! And, in other incredible news, Make magazine is soon to launch a new magazine - Craft - and Jess' robots made the cover! Huge posters of the new magazine were up all over the faire, and it was so comforting to see her sweet robots at every turn! Congratulations Jess!
I got to meet more of my heroes at the faire - Bethany was there with her fun and witty crafty goods (we love the infidel!). Susie probably thinks I'm a stalker by now - her stuff is so incredible! I can never get enough of Alison and her wares - her style is so fantastic and unique! And, did I mention Jill Bliss?!? Yes, I can now die happy because I got to meet her, and she signed her One book (look under Publications and Portfolios) that we picked up for Brynne - and it even comes with a fun cd! So, despite the relatively low representation of crafters at the faire, I had a great time because I got to meet all these great folks.
The return to my routine today has been a bit of a let down... imagine what we could all come up with if we were living in an environment of creativity, innovation, and free thinking? I think I need to strive for a bit more of that in my daily life!
So glad you had fun! And you felt better, right? Speaking of vehicles and tall people, we test drove a Honda Fit this weekend. Both of us fit in it! I'm waiting for my trusty Toyota to die before getting a new car, though.
Posted by: Mariko | April 24, 2006 at 05:56 PM
wow, the faire sounds like so much fun...feeling very jealous. we just moved out east(MD) and I'm trying desperately to find some cool faires to check out, but no success. I will just have to live vicariously through other's experiences!!
I'm looking forward to seeing some of your photos once your camera returns!
Posted by: molly | April 25, 2006 at 10:56 AM
jill's a friend of mine! so glad you got to meet her. sounds like you had fun!
Posted by: lisa | April 25, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Sounds like it was a interesting faire! I have been reading all about the Bazaar Bizarre on my friends page on LJ, I wish we had craft faires like that here in Australia! But thankfully thanks to all you crafty bloggers I can still see what's going on ;)
Posted by: Emma | April 26, 2006 at 04:02 AM
mini cars, crafts and no kids? sounds like a great weekend!! thanks for the report.
Posted by: hannah | April 26, 2006 at 01:06 PM
It was so nice to meet you, Kelly, thanks so much for coming to my workshop. I'm glad I appeared calm & collected - I was so nervous!
Posted by: jess hutch | April 26, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Why do I never learn about these cool things until after they're over??? This looks awesome, and it was only about 20 miles from me... Can't wait to see your photos.
Lain
Posted by: knit and purl grrl | April 27, 2006 at 06:42 PM