emiko-o reware

It’s that time of year again for the awe-inspiring, 2-day extravaganza that is Maker Faire! May 22-23 at the San Mateo Event Center. And yes, Accessorize with Toys workshop will be there for its 5th year, and finally this time in the Expo Hall where we best belong! We’re going to be in the craft section of the hall, somewhat near LEGO (very fitting for me, yes indeed). I know many of you missed us last year as we were in the Show Barn with Tech Shop, but this year we should be much more accessible.

And now Accessorize has a FACEBOOK FAN PAGE! Can you believe it – well, you can help us out right now by becoming a fan so that we can get our URL. We only need 44 more to go!

This year we have some projects for people to create: Personalized Name Badges, key chains (level: Easy), and Expressive Charm Bracelets (level: Advanced). To cover our costs so we can continue to bring the workshop to you, we’re asking people for a donation of $3 per project made. So don’t forget to bring some change with you! And of course bring some of your favorite toy or plastic parts from home to incorporate into your projects or just bring to donate. Nowadays Goodwill and other thrift stores are not accepting toy donations, so bring them to us – as long as they are smaller than 2″.

Here’s the skinny on the event:
When: Saturday, May 22, 11am-6pm; Sunday, May 23, Noon-5pm
Where: San Mateo Expo Center (where the county fair takes place). Parking is $17 (yikes!) but free parking is a 15 min walk away at Franklin Templeton. Check out the Maker Faire link on getting there. Carpool with your peeps! Caltrain and Sam Trans buses are great ways to take public transit there.
Cost: entry to Maker Faire starts at $20 for advance adult tickets, less for youth and students, MORE if you purchase at the gate. To make a project with us is a suggested donation of $3 per project.

Hope to see you there!

Accessorize with Toys at Maker Faire

The first day of Maker Faire 2009 San Mateo is done and whhew! are my dogs a’barkin’! This year our Accessorize with Toys workshop is in the Show Barn, our first year out of the Swaporamarama and on our own. If you’re looking for us, we’re in the same area as the awesome Tech Shop, and situated between the Metal Arts Guild and the Metals Arts Association of Silicon Valley.
What seemed like the highest attendance of all Maker Faires, we could barely keep up with the photo taking of participants and their projects. But the photos are up on Flickr, with much more to come after tomorrow. Here are some of our favorites.