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Disney experimenting with 3D printing teddy bears in felt
We're 3D printing pretty much everything these days, at least in laboratories. So why not venture out into cuddly materials? Disney Research is looking into leveraging the technique to create soft toys that children can snuggle without fear of scratching their sensitive skin. The prototype machine uses wool felt and a sewing machine like needle mechanism to connect one layer to the next. The result is a soft and pliable creation based on a standard CAD model that could be used with any other 3D printer. More importantly though, the felt can be layered around other materials to introduce stiffness, embed electronic hardware or even create moveable appendages. So you could create a completely custom teddy bear that hugs your child and speaks. It's a little early to say that Buildabear should be worried, but we wouldn't be resting on our laurels if we were them. Check out the video of the felt 3D printer in action after the break.
iPhone icons in felt keychain form
Unfortunately these guys are already sold out (though maybe there'll be more soon), but I'm still posting them here just to gaze on their awesomeness -- Etsy user Rabbitrampage put together these six iPhone icon keychains (well, five iPhone and one Finder) out of felt, thread, and fiber fill. I think they look great, though it would be nice to have even more custom icons available. I guess if you want a special icon keychain made of your own app (ahem), you'll have to make it yourself. This same Etsy user also enjoys wrapping your iPhone in felt recreations of old retro items like Game Boys and even a VHS tape. I've already got a case on my iPhone, but if I didn't have one yet, I'd definitely pick up one of these. [via iPhone Savior]
Hermit nap station provides peace and quiet for bloggers on the move (video)
As many a nomadic modern road warrior knows all too well, while you can get Internet access, juice for your laptop, and phone service on-the-go, privacy is at a premium. Thankfully, an Australian Design Science student named Kerry Jia Yi Lin has developed a little something called Hermit -- an "experimental interactive shell" that uses RFID tags to know when you've crossed your arms and set your head down for a nap. Once you've assumed the position, the felt shell closes above you, providing "a personal refuge in a communal environment." Sounds nice and peaceful, no? If you'd like to see it in action, we've got a video for you after the break. If you prefer a low-tech version, we suppose you could just throw a coat over your head.
Fan-made Murky plush
Reader Claire sent us these awesome pictures of a plush Murky, made of felt and fluff. She says she's been a collector of vanity pets since she first started playing WoW, and since Murky is one she'll probably never get her hands on, she decided to make one herself.As mentioned, it's made entirely out of felt and stuffing (and string and glue, I assume). It looks really good, and seems like it only would have cost a few dollars. If I'm wrong about that, hopefully Claire will correct me... and submit a pattern for the rest of us!You can check out all of her Murky pictures in the gallery below.%Gallery-63306%
This case is hungry for handhelds
When creativity and originality meet cuteness, you know you have a great DS case on your hands. Take this hungry-looking fleece and felt DS cover, for instance. If you're going to be carrying around your DS and making sure it's protected, you might as well do it with style.Made-to-order by Etsy craftster Kfarrell, you can pick whatever fabric and pompom colors your little heart desires (as long as she carries them, of course). The case will set you back $20, but for a handmade craft (and a cool one at that), we think the price is pretty reasonable.Hit up the gallery below to see two different versions of this case monster -- maybe that will help you come up with some interesting color schemes of your own, if you happen to find this as awesomely adorable as we do.Nom nom nom.%Gallery-27089%
World of WarCrafts: A gift from the embalmer
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts. Who needs a $500 couture bag from Nordstrom when you can sport this abomination? Perfect for toting around diapers, Incriminating Documents, or your pet's favorite toy. Here is what you will need: Natural Canvas Tote Bag (8.5"x11") Felt (black, charcoal, red, pink, ivory, white) Felt Glue Scissors Wax Paper Click on the images below to view a gallery of step-by-step instructions. %Gallery-25527%
Super Clingy Mario World
Craftster user alkalntrin made this Mario-themed felt board for her five-year-old nephew, along with plenty of felt Mario universe inhabitants to stick on it. And now he can make all kinds of Mario scenarios just by rearranging the pieces! He can make a little non-moving Detteiu Mario level, and pretend that it's going to play itself. This is a beautiful homemade toy, one that would inspire us to make something similar as a gift, if we knew any children. Instead, it's inspiring us to make a felt Devil's Crush board for ourselves. We hope that the kid follows this item to its next natural step: stop-motion Mario movies. A cartoon made by a five-year-old with felt characters would probably still be better than The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, right?[Thanks, Mary!]
Nintendo DS Lite, Felt Pink edition
Fed up with screen protectors? Scared that you'll eventually crack your system's hinge? Looking to replace the DS Lite you threw against the wall after your girlfriend dumped you via PictoChat. Seriously, why didn't she just tell you to your face? She was only a few feet away when she did it!This latest hardware revision for the Nintendo DS, Felt Pink, makes those issues things of the past; the new design is even lighter and has a softer D-pad! Carol Esther, the craftster behind this limited edition portable, is willing to part with it for only fifteen dollars! Head past the post break for a photo of the handheld with its lid pulled back.
Two lovely Nintendo crafts
These two crafts have the potential to change our lives. How so? In order to acquire and use them, we must learn how to knit, find a reason to start carrying a little handbag, and take more notes. We're not sure we're ready for such a drastic change, so we'll just look at them on the Internet and appreciate them!The felted Mario bag has a tutorial, so if you can knit, we suggest you do so. The Zelda notepad was previously available for sale on Etsy, but is now sold out. Perler bead crafts are not so hard to do, however! [Via Wonderland: here, here]
'Dear Diary: Today I went to the wrong castle again.'
Every day, someone makes an adorable video game artifact to make his or her daily life slightly nerdier, out of nothing but love for the games. Meanwhile, all we do is hang around here and talk endlessly about Pokemans and pseudo-pornographic witch-touchery. This Mario journal was made from the outer cover of a hardbound book, covered with corduroy. Each teensy felt pixel of the Mario sprite was then stitched on by hand. We considered trying this ourselves, but we remembered where all of our writing goes, and we don't want to make a cover big enough to fit over the Internet.[Via Wonderland]
Homegrown USB-powered calculator synth doubles as pillow
As if the Cushion Control pillows weren't cute enough, here we find a USB-powered, felt-covered calculator synth to ooh and aww over. Artists Kelli Cain and Brian Crabtree were able to conjure up this nifty device at a Felt Circuits workshop held in Los Angeles, and while details are relatively scarce, the creation is essentially a homemade eight- x six-inch calculator constructed from dyed wool that was hand-rubbed into felt. The two also "designed, etched, and populated noise-making circuit boards" which were then put into the contraption, and when connected to a USB port, touching the metal contacts that are sewn on "makes a bunch of noise," which we can causally refer to as abstract music. Unfortunately, there's no sign of these things going on sale, but if you beg the duo hard enough, you might find out if another workshop is in the pipeline.
