Due to a special request made by an educator who attended our Summer Pathfinders course this August, this post is about bridges and how they work within a paper circuit. I’ll also be using Circuit Sketcher (our NEW Digital Design Software) to demonstrate a couple of examples. If you spend enough time experimenting with paper […]
Alien Abduction: Tilt Sensing, Light-Up Tunnel Book (featuring Chibitronics)
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to use Chibitronics LED stickers and an optional tilt switch to add illumination, interactivity, and special effects to a tunnel book. The one I’m sharing here is shaped like an octagon and features my own interpretation of a common trope: an alien abduction. Although a tunnel book may be […]
Make a Father’s Day Card (with Chibitronics LED Stickers)!
Warm Dad’s Heart Father’s Day is just around the corner (Sunday, June 15), which means that it’s time to starting thinking about how you might help fire up some fun on his special day! In this tutorial, I’ll show you a quick and easy way to create a light-up Father’s Day Card that sizzles with […]
Make a Mother’s Day Card (with Chibitronics LED Stickers)
Brighten Mom’s Day Mother’s Day is just around the corner (Sunday, May 11), which means that it’s time to starting thinking about how you might help brighten your Mom’s day. If you are looking for a way to tell your mom how much you love and appreciate her, this card project might be just the […]
Interactive Art with a Chibitronics Light Sensor Sticker
Create Projects That React to Light! Did you know that a light sensor can add interactivity to your artwork by making it react to the presence or absence of light? Did you know that the Chibitronics Light Sensor Sticker can be used with or without a microcontroller? While both the Chibitronics Light Sensor Bundle and […]
10 Tricks for Altering the Look of Light
10 Tricks for Altering the Look of Light Experimentation and play are the best methods for discovering transformative ways to control and create with light — in order to visibly alter its look! The projects below showcase a diverse selection of experiments and ideas to help you get started! Here are 10 transformative ways to […]
Flattening Octagon Tunnel Book Featuring Chibitronics
Make a Glowing Book That Fits in an Envelope In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create an octagon-shaped illuminated tunnel book that collapses flat. Tunnel books are three-dimensional works of art that feature cut paper images. When viewed through the front cover, the layers appear to unite as part of a cohesive […]
Spooky, Tilt-Sensing Tunnel Book with Chibitronics LEDs
View Video In this video tutorial, I’ll show you a way to create a Halloween-themed, octagon-shaped, illuminated tunnel book that turns on and off with help from a tilt sensor. You will find the complete supply list, downloadable cut files, and printable circuit diagrams below. A traditional tilt-sensor is a small cylinder wrapped around two […]
PopUpTober: Light-up, Slot & Joint Mechanism (featuring Chibitronics)
Slot & Joint Video Tutorial: Introduction: In this video tutorial for #PopUpTober, I’ll show you two different methods for building a light-up pop-up mechanism called a Slot and Joint. A Slot and Joint mechanism is useful for creating pop-ups that appear to jut out from a parallelogram adhered to a base card. This type of […]
PopUpTober: Light-Up Floating Plane Pop-Up Mechanism Featuring Chibitronics
Video Tutorial Introduction: In this video tutorial for #PopUpTober, I’ll show you two different methods for building a light-up pop-up structure called a Floating Plane. A Floating Plane is useful for creating large pop-up shapes that appear to float upon a flat plane that rests upon three parallel supports. A Floating Plane may be folded […]
PopUpTober: Light-Up Double-Pivot Pop-Up Mechanism (featuring Chibitronics)
Video Tutorial Introduction: To celebrate #PopUpTober and #LightUpPopUpTober, I’m sharing a fun way to combine light with an engaging pop-up mechanism, to create a “smore-themed” pop-up spread! This type of mechanism has a lot of visual interest, with arms that move and rotate whenever a card is opened. The Double Pivot mechanism, found on page […]
Make 4 Simple Pop-Ups Glow With Chibitronics LEDs
Research a Critter: Tell Its Story with Pop-Ups and Paper Circuits Engage your students with a fun and educational project that combines science, technology, art, and engineering! This blog post will show you a way to combine paper circuits with a series of pop-up foundation shapes. Individually, each mechanism may be customized to stand alone. […]