crafts

by doc on crafts, video

Cocktails Robotic Grand Challenge

We just got back from the Cocktails Robotic Grand Challenge at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco. The dancehall was filled with eight bartending bots and a couple hundred thirsty humans. There were some classic barbots on hand, like Schrodinger’s Martini, which servers a martini that is both wet & dry until you finally collapse the waveform, but our favorite new bot was Kamikaze Blaster, which uses face-detection software to deliver shots of whiskey sour directly to your facehole. No cup required.

 
by doc on crafts, mission life, video

Recycled pocket books, The Heckadeck, and more from More Lies Publishing

I had a chance to meet up with Travis Nichols, a local artist and game designer, and chat about some of his newest projects. Travis’s Heckadeck is a crazy new twist on a deck of cards, with extra suits and cards added to inspire new games or creative versions of existing games. His newest project is a series of pocket books created with mismatched recycled papers. The hardest part of starting a new sketch book for me is being intimidated by a bunch of clean white pages. I often feel like I’m about to ruin something. That’s why I love using sketch books that already have images or marks in them.

Watch my interview with Travis about the Heckadeck and More Lies Pocket Books:

Heckadeck

 
by doc on crafts

Denim Wallets available again

About ten years ago, I was paying rent in SF by yo-yoing, tailoring, and selling denim wallets. The wallets were made with the scraps from high end selvage jeans and, like a pair of great jeans, got better with age. I stopped making these wallets about 5 years ago, but often get asked to make a few more, mostly from folks who lost their first denim wallet and want a replacement.

So I’ve made a few more wallets and listed them on my Etsy page (with more to come probably). There are two styles currently, red leather with gold selvage denim or brown leather with double denim. All my wallets are designed with a minimum design that tucks into itself to stay closed.


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by doc on crafts, star wars

DIY Darth Sweater

I’m really happy with this quick sweater “hack” I made with an old crewneck sweater and child’s Darth Vader costume that I found at the thrift store. These costumes are really easy to find used, or you can buy one online.

I didn’t do anything fancy, I just cut off the silkscreened chest piece from the costume and sewed it onto the front of the sweater. It looks great and was super easy to make.
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