All good things must come to an end, and the Call for Makers for Vancouver Mini Maker Faire 2012 is no different. We’ve had some excellet Makers apply over the last 10 weeks, and I can’t wait to share some of them with you via this blog!

But it’s time to finalize the planning for the event, and as such Saturday May 19 will mark the end of the Call for Makers. If you’ve been putting off applying, now’s your last chance to get in! So head on over to the Call for Makers page, and fill out one of the application forms.

This past Sunday, May 6th, Got Craft? put on an epic show. With over 50 colourful vendors and just over 1300 attendees, it was impressive that all that crafty cuteness could fit in one room. A job well done to the organizers, vendors, and everyone involved. My personal favourite: Rice Babies. So cute!



The Public Art Crew (Mike + Christina) were the masterminds behind our set-up. Mike brought out 2 tall bikes that he had built (Don’t forget to ‘like‘ the Art Bike Project on FB), which were such great substitutes to flimsy posters: He just rolled them in and it was like instant signage. Christina, Anna, and Kim all put their minds together, and pulled off some super fun yarn bombing outside of the front entrance. Check it out:



See those objects hanging off the pole? Those are recycled bottles that Christina has re-purposed and covered with crochet. She also put an old tank top to use, and used the materials to cover one of the art bikes.



A big thanks to Kim for coming out and helping out as well! Hai Kim!



Some of the details: Anna crocheted the flowers:







We had a few scraps left over that were knit up by Anna. I couldn’t help but use the remainder to yarn bomb part of the pakora truck. Thanks pakora guy! (Chris).

These people had fun last year. This could be you!

Have you registered yet to volunteer at this year’s Vancouver Mini Maker Faire?

Yes? That’s great!

Still not sure? Want to talk to a real person before making a virtual commitment?

Registered or not, you’re invited to our Volunteer Meeting on Saturday May 12 from 3-5 pm at the W2 Media Cafe.

We’ll be talking about the volunteer opportunities available, both on Maker Faire weekend and in the weeks leading up to the Faire. (Art Bikes anyone? Yarnbombing?) We’ll talk about our new venue and what it means for the volunteers. We’ll answer your questions to the best of our abilities and hopefully provide a few laughs.

Sign In begins at 3 pm with the meeting starting at 3:15 pm and going until 4:30 or so.

We’ll be meeting in the basement Performance Space at W2. If you’ve never been to W2, its entrance is inside the atrium at the new Woodsward’s complex, next to London Drugs.

And if you’re on Facebook, head over to the event page to let us know you’re coming.

The workshop is designed to support artists, designers, and inventors with their product development aspirations. Have a great idea but don’t know where to start? Don’t have the technical skills to make your idea a reality? This workshop will help get you on your way.

All registered volunteers will be eligible for the ticket draw, to be made 10 a.m. Monday morning. If you haven’t already signed up to be a volunteer for this year’s Mini Maker Faire, head over to our Volunteer Page for more information and fill out the 2012 Registration Form.

Artist Projects from Garden Materials:
The Legion of Flying Monkeys Horn Orchestra




The Urban Weaver Project

Natural Dye Experiments, Blue Mollusc

Environmental Youth Alliance and Means of Production Artists’ Raw Resource Collective

Graffiti Research Lab Canada

eatART’s gBikes

International Guild of Knot Tyers: Pacific Americas Branch / Fraser Valley Beaders