Blenster @Blenster@qoto.org
Hacker/maker, inventor, nerd, apprentice knife-maker, Co-Founder of
@mrblinkybling
. Rapid prototyper. Member of
@LVL1Hackerspace
http://youtube.com/blenster (he/him)
Joined Apr 2022
Hey I know that you have a hard time believing me when I tell you but you really are so beautiful.
I hope you learn to see yourself the way we all see you.
Blenster
boosted
Took a tiny @adafruit 8x8 APA102 matrix, put a #Pixelblaze Pico controller behind it, attached my behind-the-neck battery holder for power, and 3D printed a bezel that holds an LED acrylic rectangle a few mm in front of the LEDs for a diffuse effect. It took a lot of fiddling to get all the dimensions right, but it turned out to be a very pretty pendant. This build was inspired by @wizard's "Beautiful Box" desktop toy.
@louzao that's what I'm doing!
Someone else made the device and now I break it and write detailed reports about how.
Or, more accurately, I make robots to do that for me.
@louzao It's fun! I get to design a little bit of electronics, write some drivers, write some tests, and document and maintain it all. It's seldom boring or repetitive.
This is kind of what I do for work, but to electronics systems on hardware: https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/exist
(I'm a SWQA Automation Engineer; I build systems to simulate reality and test outcomes)
Blenster
boosted
Remember our livestream with Amanda Preske of Circuit Breaker Labs (jewelry and art from recycled PCBs) and Because Science (science themed gift shop in DC)? Well she’s raising money for a community Craft Lab at her new permanent location! Check it out, pick up some cool nerd art, and back her if you’re able.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/becausescience/the-craft-lab-community-space-to-do-science-art
It's 3:42 PM Eastern and I'm glad you are alive.
Thank you for being here with me.
Blenster
boosted
I had a blast being interviewed by Becky Stern for her video about my wireless LED kaleidoscope project! https://youtu.be/UDIDfgC4L0U
Blenster
boosted
Each of these is suppose to hold 1,000 resistors of various sizes.
Blenster
boosted
After one week (and much gnashing of teeth), my corrected @oshpark board arrived, and of course it works flawlessly now. Behold: the STEMMA-QT LCD module! Breadboard friendly, but STEMMA ready (and Qwiic compatible). Next steps are to have some panels fabricated, pay my manufacturer and get some of these made!
This will be a product you can buy by the summer.
Blenster
boosted
Re-made the battery/controller holder for my floral LED pendant to take a cylindrical 16340 Li-Ion battery, and now I feel ready for spring!
It's 4:48 PM Eastern and I just wanted to remind you that I'm pulling for you today.
You got this!
Blenster
boosted
Hey you! Are you attending the @oshwassociation Open Hardwaere Summit at the end of the month? Do you want an Open Book? Or more specifically, do you want to BUILD YOUR OWN Open Book?! There are still a few spots open for my Build-a-Book Workshop on Friday April 28th! Tickets available here, but they won't last! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-build-a-book-workshop-at-open-hardware-summit-2023-tickets-556174983347
It's 11:47 AM Eastern and I'm glad you are alive.
Thank you for being here with me today.
Remember your worth my friend; I value you.
Blenster
boosted
Big shout-out to xykobas3rd (who i don’t think is on masto yet but is on instagram) for giving me this fantastic badge at LA Maker Faire. All you maker businesses are feeling the feels with me on this one, right?
The blinking is done via a 555 timer + decade counter circuit on the back, same one we use on our Foxy Pride badges.
I just want to give a shout out to my friends at
@MakeAugusta for being super awesome manufacturing partners. Knowledgeable, kind, straightforward, and willing to help so much more than you'd think.
Absolutely amazing folks. Happy to be working with them again.
#MakeAllTheThings
Blenster
boosted
Messing around with twist-together alternatives to coin cells. #ledsaholics #ledfreaks
Blenster
boosted
Channel 3 in Illinois did a story about Engineering Day at UIUC, and included clips of my hat and my robot! (shown getting flipped by its alligator-shaped opponent) https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-hosts-engineering-open-house-on-campus/amp/
Hacker/maker, inventor, nerd, apprentice knife-maker, Co-Founder of
@mrblinkybling
. Rapid prototyper. Member of
@LVL1Hackerspace
http://youtube.com/blenster (he/him)
Joined Apr 2022
