Category: LEDs

Cyber Tank Girl Costume

I’ve admired the comic character Tank Girl for ages, and this year I wanted to update her post apocalyptic Outback look for the 21st century. This guide covers the different elements I used to make this costume.

Bandolier of Light

This fun and flexible light-up accessory is made using 3D printing, DIY electronics, and a little bit of sewing.

You can easily wear it as a belt instead of a shoulder sash, and the modular design lets you customize the length that’s just right for you.

Before you begin, take a look at these prerequisite guides:

For this project you will need:

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UV Manicure Lamp

If you’ve seen my videos or photos before, you already know I like to paint my nails. What you might not know is that it’s UV gel nail polish–  a different chemical formulation that’s more durable, flexible, and lasts much longer than the air-dry stuff.

And it doesn’t just look nice, it lets you do more stuff with your nails– open cans, pick at electronics, do the dishes– I like to call it “structural” nail polish. Without it, my long and useful nails would split and break under the pressures of everyday makin’ stuff.

But gel polish has to be cured in a UV lamp, which is something usually only nail salons have, or, like me, you buy one on Amazon and it takes up as much space as a large toaster oven and has to be plugged into the wall.

Doing your own gel manicure is easy if you have the right tools, dare I say even easier than standard polish because the different viscosity smooths out its own inconsistencies and once it’s cured, it’s completely dry.

It’s easy to whip up your own manicure lamp at home, and Noe Ruiz designed a 3D-printed enclosure for putting it all together. You will need:

To keep up with what I’m working on, follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and subscribe to my newsletter. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases you make using my affiliate links.

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Nautical LED Friendship Bracelet

Light up those warm nights at the beach or summer camp with this simple soft circuit bracelet.

We were inspired by Etsy’s nautical knot bracelet tutorial and when we read the word “rhinestones” we immediately substituted LEDs. Read on to stitch up your own illuminated friendship bracelet!

Supplies

For this project you will need:

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Sound Reactive Baseball Hat

Add sound-reactive NeoPixels to your baseball cap! 144 pixel/meter density NeoPixel strip as a wraparound VU meter with a small microphone at the side. The FLORA microcontroller takes input from the mic and sends the LEDs flashing according to the volume in the room!

This intermediate level wearables project requires some precision soldering and sewing. I recommend checking out the following guides before you begin:

You’ll have installed board support for FLORA in your Arduino software by now.
For this project you’ll need:

To keep up with what I’m working on, follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and subscribe to my newsletter. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases you make using my affiliate links.

The hat displays animations based on the audio volume from the microphone, just like the Ampli-Tie. If you’re looking for a project that reacts to sound but doesn’t require (much) soldering, check it out!

76 eye-blasting pixels adorn the front of the baseball cap design. The small segments of flex strip connected with stranded ribbon cable and the FLORA microcontroller can hang out on the outside or inside of the cap.

The circuit is powered by a 500mAh lipoly battery which is stored in the hat’s band at the back of the head.

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NeoPixel Punk Collar

Get your cybergoth on with five color-changing NeoPixels studded onto a leather collar. The tiny GEMMA microcontroller can display endless animations on this fun funky accessory that’s easy to make with a little soldering!

GEMMA jewelry! The bitty board fits perfectly in the center of a NeoPixel ring for flashy hoop earrings or a charming pendant. Read on to build your own!

Before you get started, follow the Gemma M0 guide or the Classic Introducing GEMMA guide.

Supplies

  • Gemma M0 or Trinket M0 – you can also use a classic Gemma
  • through-hole NeoPixels
  • leather collar or cuff
  • 150mAh rechargeable lipoly battery and charger
  • solderless breadboard and alligator clips for prototyping
  • soldering iron and solder
  • solid core or stranded wire (20 to 26 gauge)
  • helping third hand tool
  • pliers
  • wire strippers
  • flush diagonal cutters
  • awl or other pointy tool to pierce leather
  • sharp utility knife
  • cutting mat
  • ruler
  • marking pen/pencil
  • gaffer tape or other material to protect battery
  • velcro tape to secure battery to collar
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