ProCRAFTinating: things to make at your desk

Another late night conference call, and another night where I’m trying to find something to do at my desk. Thankfully the internet has some great suggestions for things you can construct out of office supplies. Here’s a small round up of things I found this evening (links at the bottom). Happy procrastinating!

Office Crafts

Make your own Dwarf Beard!

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Lux Mirabilis on Instructables  shows us how to make this amazing dwarf beard! How many cosplays can you think of that this would be absolutely perfect for? From Lord of the Rings to How to Train your Dragon, you’ll be sure to find something to wear it for! It’s quick, cheap and easy to make, so give it a go!

 

Light Saber Knitting Needles

It’s like a Saturday Star Wars two for one today!Random Canadian has posted intructions on how to make light saber knitting needles, over at Instructables.

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The materials needed for this project include a 3/8″ Lucite rod, several key-chain LED flashlights, a red LED, a green LED, 2 X 10 Ohm resistor, heat shrink tubing,
120 sand paper, a Scotch-Brite pad, and a 10 Ohm resistor. It can’t be a terribly difficult project, as Random Canadian said another smaller set of needles were also made.

“The cyano glue makes the cut ends optically pure when the plastic bits are joined, as long as there are not big tool marks… I found this out on a previous project. saves quite a bit of time by not having to polish the ends.”

So the next time you find yourself battling the dark side of the yarn, or you just want to knit in the dark, whip up a set of these babies for all your nerd knitting needs!

Steampunk AT-AT Liquor Cabinet

Vancouver-based artist and woodworker Colin Johnson has completed “The Emperor’s Cabinet,” a large handcrafted wet bar in the shape of an AT-AT Walker from the Star Wars films. This behemoth is decked out from top to bottom with brass trim and guns, a usable bar with shelves and a mirrored interior. It was recently on display in Vancouver at the Hot Art Wet City art gallery for May LaForge Be With You, a group art show tribute to Star Wars and Star Trek. It’s made of high density plywood, mahogany veneer, solid brass trim, and glass.

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Goli Mohammadi over at the Make Blog recently reported, “One of the coolest things I saw at Vancouver Mini Maker Faire last weekend was The Emperor’s Cabinet, a gorgeous, meticulously crafted, steampunk-inspired AT-AT handmade by Vancouver artist and ‘woodbutcher’ Colin Johnson. When I first saw it on setup day, the front doors were closed. I coveted it from the instant I saw it, but then Colin opened the doors and I saw that it was a liquor cabinet, which made it even cooler.”

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