Fibre Optic Star Map

I seem to keep posting rather high-tech geek crafts lately, but there are just so many good ideas out there that need to be shared. So today I bring you a hand-made Fibre Optic Star Map, created by Imgur user, krid7.

Fibre Optic Star Map

Bringing this wonderful Milky Way panorama to life is a beautiful idea, and I’m really impressed at how well krid7 was able to pull this off. All those fibres would have driven me bonkers! Krid7 has documented the process on Imgur to be sure to click here to see how the Fibre Optic Star Map was created. And the best part is, real star maps were used, meaning that thing is not only beautiful, but it’s also scientific, yo.

Have an Astro-geek craft of your own? I would love to see it – post in the comments!

 

DIY Constellation Scarf

Here’s one for all my fellow Astrogeeks! I LOVE this scarf. Love it. As an amateur astronomer anything with constellations send me giddy, and this is great because you can make your own scarf featuring your favourite constellations.

DIY Constellations Scarf

Check out the tutorial on A Beautful Mess to discover how to make your own using a scarf, some craft foam, and a bit of easy embroidery.

I’ve actually been thinking of doing something similar to this on some blinds, ever since I purchased the wonderful Dot to Dot tee from Threadless, but I reckon using this tutorial a lot more things in my life are soon going to be sporting astronomical designs pretty soon!

LHC Quilts

Flipping though Physics World magazine , I turned a page and caught my breath; there was the tiniest picture of the most beautiful quilt. I still, several hours later, cannot quite find words with which to explain how awe inspiring, how wondrous these quilts, made by Kate Findlay, are.

But what was a picture of Kate’s quilt doing in a physics magazine? Well, it turns out to be one of a series which she has made themed around the LHC. There are 20 quilts (so far) in the series, some inspired by particular particle detectors, and some inspired more generally by the science of supersymmetry, dark matter and particle physics. ‘Atom – Silver’ (pictured above) is based on the structure of Ag, while Atlas (below) is based on images of the ATLAS detector.

What initially caught Kate’s eye were the symmetry, repeating motifs, and colours present in CERN’s images, and I agree that quilting is a perfect medium to reflect those ideas – Kate’s mixed textures of silks, satins and sheers really capture the source material, the pieces feel modern,full of hopeĀ  and wonder. Kate also cites the vastly disparate scales that any physicist works with as a source of inspiration – and I for one can see how the juxtaposition between atoms and astronomy, and the interplay between the two, is a captivating concept.

The early pieces from the series incorporate wire, card, beads,and other mixed media to further play with texture, while the more recent pieces are traditional 3 layered beauties. Kate has experimented with screen printing and dyeing to personalise her fabrics, and of course this adds yet another dimension to the quilts.

Continue reading LHC Quilts

Ursa Major and Ursa Minor Pillows

Ursa Major and Ursa Minor pillowsLove, California designer Christin Morgan may be getting some serious buzz about her customizable state cushions, but it was these beautiful Ursa Major and Ursa Minor pillows that caught my geeky eye.

Whether you want to cuddle them while you dream under the stars, or set the pair on a shelf to gaze upon, these are the perfect teddy bears for astronomy nuts of all ages.

I think what I love about them the most is that they make me think of my mama, who has her telescope set up in the same room as her teddy bear collection. Plush bears and stars have always gone hand-in-hand in my house!

Saturn Costume

Saturn Costume

A Saturn Costume for Saturday. Perfect for an astronomy geek, or a pregnant lady like me! K1 posted this Saturn Costume she made for her son on the blog negative entropy. I really love it! Looking at the supplies needed, I loved it even more. One black long-sleeved shirt, fabric paint, markers, a foam ball, a hula hoop–and a beer. K1 notes that it is necessary tool for a parent making their kid a Halloween costume! (Note: If you were going to do this as a pregnancy costume as I mentioned earleir, you wouldn’t need the foam ball!)