Outdoor Chair

Picture this: you’re sitting on the back porch on a cool autumn afternoon, a book in hand, a mug with some English Breakfast tea sitting on the table beside you. The sounds of birds chirping fills the distance, the leaves rustling when a cool breeze blows by and makes you lose your page temporarily. The blanket on your legs is soft and warm and you hear the distant sound of a lone car driving by.

Porch furniture can be surprisingly expensive and the old chair you got from that garage sale you dragged your partner to just isn’t cutting it anymore. Instead of resigning yourself to a fall indoors, task yourself to build a porch chair. Maker Angela Marie on YouTube walks you step by step through her process of creating a gorgeous porch chair for only $30 in lumber.

Outdoor couch

Also coming from YouTube Maker Angela Marie, a matching DIY outdoor couch. Picture all the backyard parties you’ll be able to host with one of these, the smell of campfire and apple cider filling the outdoor space as your friends gab excitedly about their plans to go to the pumpkin patch next weekend. This build will only cost you $30 in lumber as well and has a very similar make to the outdoor chair so, if you make one of those, you’re already halfway there. If you plan to build both the chair and couch, simply make sure you find matching cushions and finishes for the wood and you’ll end up with a DIY matching porch furniture set, all for less than the price of one porch chair.

Computer Desk

For those of us whose work-from-home situations have unexpectedly become a permanent fixture in our lives, a nice home office desk is a must. Maker Craig from the YouTube channel Build it Better has created a build for an L-shaped farmhouse-style computer desk, all for under $100. The build is sturdy, stylish, and is made entirely of 2×4’s and 2×6’s so it’s relatively easy to accomplish. Additionally, given the L-shape, it’s very easy to tuck into the corner of any room in your house.

Bookshelf

Any book lovers out there know the struggle they face when their bookshelf is getting dangerously full. It halts our lives in a way it doesn’t for many other hobbies because if we don’t have the space, we can’t buy any new books and that’s just a travesty. Have we read all the books currently on our shelves? Nope. Do we promise that we will before we buy new books? Yup. Do we ever keep that promise? Not once.

For the book lovers with little self-control, this easy six-foot bookshelf build by Home Depot is a life-saver. With an incredibly easy-to-follow cut list, material list, and video demonstration, you can easily and affordably add a new bookshelf to your home and, subsequently, head to Barnes & Noble to start to fill it out.

Bed Frame

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current bed frame or perhaps looking to add one to your guest room, SEB TECH DIY has you covered! His easy 5-minute video tutorial gives you a nice visual of the make, while his handy Instructable (linked in the description) breaks down each stage of the build more thoroughly so you can be sure to get the dimensions and steps down perfectly. He was able to purchase all of the materials needed from his local hardware store and it’s perfect for a king-size mattress. SEB TECH DIY lists many other build instructions on his Instructable as well, including a modern planter, truck rack, snack tray, and wine rack.

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1) Ring Holder

For the friend who loves to accent their look with a few carefully placed rings, a ring holder is a great and easy to make a gift. Start by cutting a small piece of wood at an angle. Then take the small piece of wood and cut various slits into the wood. For example, cut a small slit into the top and then into the top left corner. Make sure the hole only goes a few centimeters into the wood and not far enough to cut completely through. Take the piece and sand the edges and cover it with polyurethane and let it dry. And you’ve very easily created a rustic artsy ring holder. They’re so easy you could make one for everyone on your list.

2) Wood/Stone Necklace

If you have someone in your life always looking to add new and handmade jewelry pieces to their collection, making them a necklace is the perfect gift. Start by cutting a very thin piece of wood. Once cut, drill two holes into two of the corners of the square wooden piece. Coat the piece in polyurethane and let it dry. Then take a stone of your choice and cut off a triangular piece. It may be helpful to pick a stone with some colors to add a pop of color to the piece. Sand down the edges of the stone piece using a sanding wheel. Superglue the stone piece to one of the bottom corners of the wooden piece that doesn’t have a hole. Then run a chain through the top two holes and you’ve got a stylish rustic necklace to give to a friend.

3) Wooden Floating Frame

Get your friend or family member a poster with a fun print, maybe some cool art from their favorite movie, or just something motivational. Then, make it more personal by building the frame yourself. Start with a 1×3 inch pine board at 8 feet. Set your saw to a 45-degree angle and cut and add two inches to the measurement of your print. So, for example, if your print is 16×24, then cut your wood pieces to be 18 and 26 inches. Line up the pieces and use wood glue to connect each of the pieces, holding them together for a few seconds to make sure they stick. If you want to add an extra layer of security, use a nail gun to connect the pieces while they dry. Cut four 8 inch pieces of wood, also at 45-degree angles.

In addition, cut four wood rings or use something small to elevate the wood pieces. Use wood glue to glue the four wooden pieces into the corners of the frame, positioning the wood rings beneath to allow them to be slightly raised into the frame. Let the pieces dry and then paint over the wood with the wood stain of your choice. Use dual-sided hanging tape on the four 8 inch pieces and then place your print into the frame. You can even engrave the frame to give it a more personal touch.

4) Balanced Wine Bottle Display

Two 45 degree cuts that are 8 inches apart and then one and one quarter inch hole that is drilled 5 and ⅞ from the bottom. After everything has been cut, sand the whole and the outer edges of the wood. Then simply finish the wood however you’d like, you can do anything from charring the wood to simply adding a stain. Then test out the gift to make sure it works. Place the piece so that the side with the hole is facing up and so that the bottom piece is flat on a counter. Then place the top of a wine bottle into the hole and watch as it seemingly defies gravity.

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Squeaky Door

One of the most annoying things you can experience in your day to day home life is an incessantly squeaky door. You’re already being tested by having to stay home all day, the last thing you want is for a repetitive ‘squeaaaaaaaak’ to drive the last bit of sanity you’re clinging to right out the window. The best repair for a squeaky door is some WD-40, but if you don’t have any on hand and want to save yourself a trip to the store- cooking spray is a great substitute. Simply spray the cooking spray onto the door hinge and you’ve bought yourself a few days squeak-free!

Toilet Leak

Worried you may have a leaky toilet? Not only can hiring a plumber to scope out the situation get pricey, but having a stranger in your home doesn’t sound so great right now. Luckily, there’s an easy way to tell if you have a leak without having to bring anyone into your home unnecessarily. Simply take a packet of Koolaid (yes, the kid’s drink) and dump it into the upper compartment in your toilet. You’ll notice right away that the water in the upper compartment should begin to change colors. Now, all you have to do is sit back and wait for a few hours. If in a few hours the toilet water has also changed colors then you have a leak and you’ll need to call a plumber. If not, however, then it was just a false alarm!

Squeaky Floorboard

Similarly to the squeaky door, having a squeaky floorboard can really test you when you’re stuck in the house and have to hear it multiple times every single day. There’s a DIY fix that could save you money and sanity without you having to run to the hardware store. Floorboard squeaking is typically the result of two floorboards rubbing together when they’ve been stepped on. To help this, take some baby powder and pour it in between the floorboards in the area. Use a small makeup brush to press deeper into the cracks and this should cure your house of these unpleasant groans.

Nail Holes

If you’re rearranging pictures or posters in the house (and who isn’t when you’re this bored, right?) that can leave your wall with nail holes scattered about. An easy fix for those involves simply taking a crayon or a bar of soap. Let’s say your wall is white, take a white crayon or bar of soap and rub it over the whole with moderate pressure. This should fill in the hole and allow it to blend in with the rest of your wall.

Tile Crack/Damage

Tile damage can take any bathroom from spa oasis to instant stressor. Luckily, however, there’s an easy DIY fix that you can use with just items from around the house. Start by taking broken eggshells and piling them into the tile hole. Next, pour glue all throughout the hole and wipe it with sandpaper once it dries. Then add another layer of glue and a layer of nail polish on top of that. Finally, finish the trick by wiping it down with acetone and it should blend into your tile fixings almost seamlessly.

Dented Wooden Floor

Dented wooden floorboards can be another home repair that can pile up (especially if you have pets or kids). One easy DIY trick to significantly reduce or eliminate those pesky scratches is to use your iron. Simply lay a thin towel or paper towel on top of the floor area that has taken a beating. Then run your iron over the area a few times and watch as the scratches smooth themselves out.

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Electronic Instruments

The building of instruments has been around for a while. We’ve all grown up building makeshift drum sets out of pots and spoons, or a guitar from a tissue box and a paper towel roll. There are also artists like Reed Ghazala, who is known as “the father of circuit bending,” which he accidentally discovered in the 1960s. He used the technique to build instruments for groups like The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Blur, and the Blue Man Group.

Then there’s Bart Hopkins. In 1985, Hopkins published a magazine called Experimental Musical Instruments. Hopkins himself was an instrument builder, both traditional and custom. Seventy issues were published until 1999 when the name instead went to a book series on the same topic. Hopkins himself also produced a few tie-in CDs.

One of Hopkins’ many collaborators is Yuri Landman, a Dutch inventor of electric string instruments. His creations include the Moodswinger, the Springtime, and the Home Swinger–all custom variants on traditional guitars. The Home Swinger proved to be his greatest success, and he began offering workshops teaching guests how to build their own version. This eventually spun off into courses for all types of instruments, from kalimbas to triochords. The Moodswinger and Home Swinger were also inducted into the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

The DIY Instrument Movement

This gave rise to the DIY instrument movement, a subset of the maker movement. Many organizations have sprung up catering to this audience, like STEIM and Death by Audio. Landman frequently partners with these groups. Maker Faires often feature homemade instruments, ranging from laser-cut ukuleles to kits to build-your-own Theremin at home. Indeed, sets to build instruments at home are becoming increasingly popular, both among kids and adults. These kits predominately feature electronic instruments like synths, but acoustic versions exist as well.

There is a great deal of overlap between electronic musicians, the EDM scene, and the maker movement. What better embodies the idea of DIY than creating entire songs from scratch using nothing but a computer? After all, one of the main goals for the maker movement is to make various crafts and art forms more accessible and to encourage the advancement of technology. Programs and devices like Garage Band and Launchpads are a natural fit for those ideals. Even the Nintendo Labo system could be seen as an example, as pianos and guitars can be built from cardboard and then played through the Nintendo Switch console.

It’s important to remember that, despite the level of creativity on display, musicians in the maker movement aren’t necessarily creating new instruments. Rather, they’re adapting existing tools to fit their needs. That’s the core of inventing: finding a need and fulfilling it. The guitar may have already existed, but George Beauchamp cranked it to eleven with his creation of the electric guitar. The results give way to unique sounds that would’ve been impossible without a spark of creativity.

I mean, let’s be honest…Would the guitar solo in “Stairway to Heaven” be as memorable on an acoustic?

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If you don’t want to spend your hard earned cash on the latest in VR tech, which can be anywhere from $100 to upwards of $800, there’s a DIY for that. In fact, thanks to DIY makers who put their tips out there, you’re able to make your own smartphone compatible VR headset for less than $20?

Here’s all you need for the project: Cardboard (obviously), Velcro strips, tape (packing and scotch), a pair of Biconvex lenses, a head strap, glue, and your smartphone. That’s all, folks! As for additional tools, you’ll only need scissors (which we assume you already have in your house… somewhere), a cutting board (again, you hopefully already have this because you’re a person), and a box knife.

If you saw the word Biconvex and had a small stroke, don’t worry we’ve got you covered. There are several available options for these lenses available on Amazon in a varying range of sizes. Luckily they’re super affordable, if you only need one pair it’s less than $7! If you want to shop around for other options, the creator from Creativity Buzz gives this advice in the description, “You can use any easily available convex lens. If the focal length is low, like 35mm to 50mm then performance is good. However, those are not easily available. So use the lens from small magnifying glass or toy binocular. Those are having a focal length of 100mm to 120mm.”

The velcro strips are also very easy to find, but you could also easily cut up ones you already own if you don’t want to buy a whole pack (you’ll only need one).

The YouTube channel that brings us this innovative masterpiece is called Creative Buzz, which was originally started by Akash Vaghani, a Youtuber from India. The channel first began as an outlet for his love of engineering and a part-time way to pay off his college fees as he studied Civil Engineering. Now the outlet has grown into full-time work with high-quality equipment and more than 800,000 loyal subscribers. They’ve even created a Facebook Page and website for fans who want to continue to follow and support their maker-friendly projects.

After you complete this inexpensive and easy DIY, you’ll be ready to leave our reality behind and explore the virtual worlds available to you. As a pro-tip, the Maker who created this DIY leaves us with some helpful tips on some smartphone compatible VR apps to try with our brand new headsets, “When looking for apps for Google Cardboard I recommend searching Google Cardboard, durovis dive, and virtual reality in the app store in order to find the most results. My favorite apps are Insidious VR, Google Cardboard, and Roller Coaster Simulator.”

We’re trying to level our excitement, but we can’t control ourselves. Get out there and get gaming, fellow Makers!

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1) Build a bookshelf with ladders and wood

Would you believe that all you need to create your very own bookshelf is two ladders and planks of wood? Step one, buy two ladders. Step two, buy planks of wood that are thin enough to fit within the steps of the ladder and long enough to reach them both when they’re opened. Make sure you measure before you buy the wood. Step three, place the planks of wood within the ladder steps. Now you’ve got a new place to display your books. Extra points if you paint the ladders or wood!

2) Sharpie Mug

Have you seen those adorable customized mugs all over Etsy? Well, it’s really easy to make one of your own. All you need is a coffee cup, a sharpie, and an oven- that’s it. Simply take the sharpie and write or draw whatever you want on your cup. Once whatever you wrote or drew on the mug is dry, pop the mug in the oven and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Viola! You now have your own customized mug (and maybe even the beginnings of your own Etsy shop, too).

3) Color Your Keys

Do you spend a good five minutes at your front door, struggling to hold all of your belongings as you flip through your various keys? Rather than buy key covers, try this simple DIY project to help. Simply take nail polish in various colors and paint a different color on the head of each key. That’s it. Much easier to find the one purple key than one of the ten silver keys you have.

4) Bathroom Basket

If you want a cute storage bin to display your various soaps and candles, but don’t want to spend money on a wicker basket, there’s a very easy and inexpensive way to make your own. Simply take a cardboard box and a piece of frayed, rustic rope. Using a hot glue gun, glue the rope along the bottom edge of the box. Continue to spin the rope around and glue, working your way up to the top of the box. Once you reach the top, snip off the end of the rope and make sure the pieces are secure. Next, take an old white tank top and cut at the halfway mark. Glue the top two halves together, then fold them over the top of the basket. Now you have a rustic bin for all of your bathroom display needs. Check out the video below to see the steps in more detail:

5) Imprint a photo onto wood

To display a photo with a more rustic feel here’s a super easy way to imprint a photo onto wood. Simply cover the wood with gel medium and place the paper photo face down on its surface. Smooth our all the bubbles firmly and let it dry overnight. In the morning, dab the photo with a wet cloth and gently rub the wetted paper residue off. Cover with Mod Podge and let it dry. And now you’ve got a rustic wooden photo to display however you’d like!

6) Wooden Pallets to Couch

This one may sound beyond your capabilities, but we promise it’s super easy. Simply start by taking some old wooden pallets and painting them with white paint. Then you stack them strategically in a corner of your house and place cushions on top. Suddenly you have a super cute couch and some storage space to boot!

7) Blanket Ladder

Supplies:

– 16 feet of wood and 8-foot furring strips
-Eight (2 and 1/2 inch) wood screws.
-Wood glue
-Stain (Minwax in Dark Walnut)
-Saw (if you don’t own a chop saw you could easily do this project by hand with a hacksaw)

First, cut one 5-foot piece of wood from each of your 8-foot pieces, so you have two five foot pieces. Then cut four 18 inch pieces of wood from the remaining wood. Lay them out on the ground to make a ladder. Put them 12 inches apart and measure 18 inches from the ground and leave 6 inches at the top so that you can hang the blanket from the bottom bar. Dab a little bit of wood glue on the end of each bar then attach with a screw from the outside of each side piece going straight into the center of the end of each bar. Stain it the color of your choice and let it dry and air out completely.

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But what is the maker movement? It’s the technological side of DIY, with an emphasis on creating new hardware and tinkering with the old. There is some overlap with hacker culture, but hackers are more concerned with software rather than physical tech. Everything from robotics and 3D printing to metalworking and arts-and-crafts have their place in the maker movement. As the name implies, it’s about creating something new, rather than depending on the old. It’s about creativity and invention.

Obviously, none of these activities are new. Inventors and creative types have existed since the dawn of humankind. But the maker movement is the first time such a large and dedicated base is devoted to invention and production. Previously, inventors were considered odd and quirky, operating outside of normal trends. Now, they’re everywhere, and seen as visionaries. Revolutionaries, even. It all depends on who you ask.

That said, these modern inventors still face many of the problems their predecessors did–namely, securing funds. Not everybody is able to become an eccentric billionaire with a mansion full of strange devices. This is where Kickstarter comes in. An individual or group comes up with a product, technological or otherwise, and builds a prototype. They’re unable to convince any companies to buy and produce their product. Instead, they turn to Kickstarter, where anybody interested in their idea can invest in making it a reality and gain a few perks along the way.

Kickstarter was founded by Perry Chen, Yancey Strickler, and Charles Adler in 2009. It was an immediate success, with the New York Times calling it “the people’s NEA.” Reportedly, more than $4 billion in pledges have been made, across more than 250,000 projects. The very first successful Kickstarter was darkpony’s “Drawing for Dollars,” which exceeded its goal of $20 by 75%. Compare this to the most successful project, the Pebble Time smartwatch, which made over 4000% of its funding. Humble beginnings, indeed.

For the most part, it’s a win-win scenario. Inventors can promote their product and offer incentives for higher donations. Interested consumers can pay what they want, often getting an early version of the product in return. The inventors get funding, the consumers get the product. With Kickstarter’s policy of money only going to the host if the project is completely funded, there’s an extra layer of security in case of failure. And failures there have been- most notably, Central Standard Timing, which raised more than a million dollars before being canceled due to mismanagement.

Still, for every bomb, there’s one that manages to succeed. This has opened the door for hundreds, if not thousands of members of the maker movement to bring their creations to life. While this does saturate the market to a degree, it’s also allowed for some amazing advancements in just a few years. For example, coding was once a hobby for only the most dedicated computer nerds, requiring advanced knowledge of multiple programming languages. Now, kids can learn to code their own websites or games using toys or online tools. This, in turn, inspires a new generation of the maker movement.

Kickstarter and similar sites are not exclusive to the maker movement, nor are they the root source of the cause. Rather, the two coexist and work together to improve lives. Quite literally in some cases- a successful Kickstarter might help both the inventor pay their rent and result in a device that helps those with a disability. Yes, the platform has flaws, and the maker movement isn’t devoid of failure either. For every success story you hear, there’s at least a dozen more that have flopped.

The maker movement will only continue to grow over the next decade as new generations with interests in technology and creativity come of age. Some may even be so young as to not remember a time when Kickstarter was commonplace. There’s a new era of self-made millionaires out there, just waiting to be discovered. You just need to find the right link to their page.

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The recipe is the same: sit down, order a drink, and start a craft. Ranging from small plant pots and concrete coasters to nail and string art to longer projects of wrapped bracelets and succulent terrarium gardens, the options are endless and the only skill you need is the desire to learn. These craft opportunities tend to run anywhere from $20 up to $50, depending on how much time it will take and supplies you’ll need to make it. Oh and as a bonus? That first drink is also usually included.

Places like DIY Bar in Portland, Oregon hand over a single menu as you enter the bar, but on this menu, you’re expected to make two selections: what beer you would like to drink and what project you would like to make. With “Craft-Tenders,” who work as bartenders as well as craft coaches, the bar has everything in place to make sure you’re able to complete your project while double-checking your glass isn’t empty. The walls of the establishment are painted white but covered from ceiling to floor with different colors of paint, string, and wood stains, making their location a true Maker paradise.

In the Highland Square neighborhood of Akron, Ohio lives Mr. Zub’s Deli, a restaurant and bar where you can disappear for a few hours and just create. Creating an atmosphere that is truly a one-of-a-kind restaurant experience, they’ve integrated wildly popular craft nights. Tiffany Prochaska-Nemr, one of the owners of Mr. Zub’s, explained her thought behind opening their space to DIY activities: “We wanted to create an environment that could engage a person on multiple platforms; we invite you to hang out, be creative and have dinner or a drink.” Their most popular events feature DIY shot-skis, succulent pots, as well as flower arranging workshops and creating small house planters. The cost of events like these will typically run you $15-32, which pays for supplies for the event.  The restaurant also teams up with local companies for their DIY nights, giving neighborhood businesses a chance to network and sending guests home with free merchandise.

In many other cities that don’t have specific restaurants designated for making, another solution has gained popularity. Organizations like PopCraft out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania cater to bringing crafts to you. Though PopCraft tends to relocate from place to place to conduct their crafting time, they can be booked at certain locations consistently and their online sign-ups go up to a month in advance. PopCraft offers many of the same crafts that other maker bars and coffee shops offer, however, they also offer many take-home projects so that crafting can continue later. They come to each location with all of the necessary supplies in order to make sure everyone can make their project…and we’re not just talking about fabric or nails, either: they even bring tools like hammers, leather shears, and more.

Thankfully, Maker Workshops aren’t the only places where people have the opportunity to create. Bringing making into local bars and coffee shops–places everyone already feels comfortable in– can make a huge difference in creating a maker community that is welcoming and communal. For those who don’t tinker on a daily basis, it provides a creative outlet to relieve stress and make new friends. And with the maker movement gaining more and more popularity, we’re sure this is only the beginning.

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