the hacktory blog

Full house at the Intro to Arduino class on Saturday!

Arduino Master Wil Lindsay explains basic circuits

Thanks to everyone who made it to our class on Saturday! We had a great time hearing about everyone's projects and learning from the Arduino master, Wil Lindsay. Keep an eye out for more classes for beginners and intermediate Arduino wizards this spring!

Philadelphia loves 8Static!

Sweet chiptune goodness!

Our local 8Static Project has started a "Kickstarter" to help raise funds for some sorely needed equipment. We've been borrowing a projector "in kind" and using a bass guitar amp to supplement a recently blown bass box.

Folks can help support 8Static through the Kickstarter program found here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1764370381/8static-phillys-premier-8...

Amazingly we've reached our goal in a few short days! Additional support means we can bring in more talent from far-flung places for our monthly shows and free monthly workshops! http://www.8static.com

Thanks to the Philly hacker scene & the rest of the world for this support! Keep it coming.. 2010 will be bigger & better sounding than ever!

Recycled Electronics Jewelry Workshop: back by Popular Demand! Saturday, December 5th 1:00-5:00pm

By popular demand, The Hacktory again offers its fun and unique Recycled Electronics Jewelry workshop, on Saturday, December 5 from 1:00-5:00pm. Perfect timing for making cool holiday gifts on a budget!

The Hacktory's mission is to promote new ways of combining art and technology and recycling, so we created the Recycled Electronic Jewelry Workshop. Our summer workshop was sold out--everyone loved making and taking home their amazing-looking creations!

We'll be teaching basic jewelry-making concepts to people of all skill and age levels (10 years old and up), including design ideas, basic soldering and assembly skills, and how to identify materials for creating your own jewelry and small sculpture.

This workshop adds beauty and interest to the world by reclaiming and recycling things that would typically end up in our growing landfills. It's also great fun and sparks creativity in all who participate.

The cost to participate is only $20, which includes all supplies and materials including basic jewelry parts and a nice selection of awesome-looking retro electronic components for making your own creations.

Click here to reserve your seat today for this exciting workshop at The Hacktory!
(Last workshop sold out, so don't delay.)

Project Giant Operation

Hive76 and Make:Philly need your help! The Franklin Institute has requested a giant game of operation for the upcoming Bodyworlds exhibit. The project has to be up and running by November 20, so the next few weekends will be crucial work time to get it done. If you want to help out, contact Far McKon at www.hive76.com, or check out the group's wiki page here: http://wiki.hive76.org/Project_Giant_Operation.

DIY Arduino Class Nov 14th - Back By Popular Demand!

We will be running another DIY Microcontroller/ Arduino class on Novemeber 14th. The workshop has proven so successful that we are doing it again!

This class is different than your run-of-the-mill Arduino class (is there such a thing??)-- we will start by building are own Arduino boards from scratch! If you want to know how something works; build it yourself.

This class has now run several times at the Hacktory with a 100% success rate. No soldering. No electronics degree needed. No exploding brains, but it's come pretty close with the amount of information we stuff into one class. Find it here: http://thehacktory.org/classes/arduino-beginner-microcontroller-amp-elec...

Amazing Machines at Franklin Institute

Check out the kinetic sculptures, exploded views of machines we use every day, and over two dozen rare machines from the institute's collection.

More machines please!