Monthly Archives: April 2014

This documentary, Maker: a documentary on the maker movement is just one of the many maker projects that have successfully reached their goals on Kickstarter.

Reno has had its own fair share of success on the crowdfunding platforms. Pinoccio raised $105,232 on Indiegogo, Kickstarter”s closest competitor. That was 175% over their goal of $60,000. That allowed Sally Carson (S.F.,CA) and Eric Jennings (Reno, NV) to test the market before they started a company around their product, a wireless, web-ready microcontroller with WiFi, LiPo battery, & built-in radio. It even has an API to get your casino online board talking to the Web right out of the box.They just recently closed a round of 1 million dollars in seed funding and employ over 10 people as a result of proving the market first through the Indiegogo campaign.

Another Reno group, The Generator, led by Executive Director, Matt Schultz, has raised $27,000 of $47,000 that is needed to build the giant sculpture, “Embrace.” Embrace is a 72-foot wooden sculpture of two people embracing, slated for Burning Man 2014. It is the largest project to date for the Pier Group, which gained acclaim for its previous Burning Man installations The Pier,Pier 2, and the Ichthyosaur Puppet Project. You can still help them make their dream a reality by donating to their campaign.

What are you dreaming about making? Is it something that you can”t do alone? Consider creating a crowd-funding campaign. Especially if you know that there are others who would also like to see this happen. Upward and onward, fellow makers!

As we gear up for the first ever, Maker Faire Reno, we can’t help but marvel at all of the amazing things that our community has created.  Above are some pics of just a few of the exhibits we will have at the faire.

This year we are celebrating all things maker. And, as you know, we believe that everyone is a maker. We will have crafters, robots, UAV’s, sewing machines, brewing, tattoo artists, fire spinners, bands, speakers, legos, and more. Kids are welcome and encouraged to come and see what they can do with their minds and with their hands.

Which reminds me, have you bought your ticket yet? It’s only $5 for adults and free for kids (who show up with adults, of course).

This will be the most epic show-and-tell of all time, and who knows, it might encourage you to take on a new hobby. How cool would that be!?!