The first edition of the East Bay Mini-Maker Faire last October took place in a torrential downpour, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of a few thousand visitors curious about the makers and crafters showing their work.
The second edition, to be held on Sunday, October 16, again on the campus of Park Day School in Oakland’s Temescal district, is planning to be bigger and better — and drier. They’ve issued a call for “Makers, Performers and Crafters” interested in participating in this year’s faire. The online application needs to be completed by September 1.
Here’s the broad description of what they are looking for: “What are we looking for? Pretty much whatever you make or do that you’re passionate about, as long as it’s something you can share with others. Maker Faire features a huge range of things: robots and electronics projects, homesteading arts, animal husbandry, kooky inventions, poetry writing, screen printing, music making, crafts and hacks of all kind… Anything Do-It-Yourself, and especially anything Do-It-Together.”
Last year, the Mini-Maker Faire featured at least one Berkeley maker — author Michael Chabon co-ran a workshop on making your own comics with HowToons’ Nick Dragotta. The full Maker Faire, held at the San Mateo County fairgrounds in May, had a host of Berkeley makers.
A video overview of last year’s Mini-Maker Faire gives some idea of the variety on show. (Full disclosure: the Mini-Maker Faire benefits Park Day School, a Berkeleyside advertiser and where I’m chair of the board.)
