Make It or Break It: Polly Conway’s Picks for Maker Faire ‘09
Katherine Sharpe
ReadyMade's going to Maker Faire this weekend, and we could not be more excited.
Since it will be our first time at the festival, now in its fourth year, we thought we'd spend the week asking Maker Faire cognoscenti how they plan to make the most of the event.
First up, Oakland native Polly Conway, who designs jewelry and accessories as Pollyannacowgirl. She's also the author of an ever-entertaining blog, The Firefly Express. Polly is setting up shop this weekend at the Faire's Bazaar Bizarre, where indie crafters and designers will show and sell handmade goods.
So, what's your name?
Polly Conway.
What do you do?
I make jewelry and accessories under the name Pollyannacowgirl.
Is this your first Maker Faire?
It's my first as a vendor, but I've been attending since the beginning!
How would you describe the event to someone unfamiliar?
It feels like a grand-scale science fair for grown-ups, with a bake sale and craft corner thrown in for good measure. Just imagine all the creative people you've ever met thrown into a room together, showing off their coolest projects.
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Faire?
I love trading in my boring old clothes for sweet new ones at Swap-o-rama-rama, and I always enjoy watching the life-sized Mousetrap game demonstration. It hasn't worked once in the three years I've seen it! It's weirdly satisfying to watch it fail.
Is there anything not at the Faire that you wish were there?
A magical food stand with no line. I want my giant turkey leg, cotton candy, and kielbasa NOW.
Any advice for how visitors can get the most out of the weekend?
I naturally gravitate towards the art and craft stuff, but I've really learned a lot and gotten excited about the science/technology aspects of the fair. So I'd recommend taking a look at everything, even in areas you don't think you're interested in, be it a crochet tutorial or a robot war.
Aside from the fairgrounds themselves, is there anything that you’d recommend out-of-town visitors to do or see?
There's the Computer History Museum in nearby Mountain View, or you could catch an old movie at the beatifully restored Stanford Theater in Palo Alto.
First up, Oakland native Polly Conway, who designs jewelry and accessories as Pollyannacowgirl. She's also the author of an ever-entertaining blog, The Firefly Express. Polly is setting up shop this weekend at the Faire's Bazaar Bizarre, where indie crafters and designers will show and sell handmade goods.
So, what's your name?
Polly Conway.
What do you do?
I make jewelry and accessories under the name Pollyannacowgirl.
Is this your first Maker Faire?
It's my first as a vendor, but I've been attending since the beginning!
How would you describe the event to someone unfamiliar?
It feels like a grand-scale science fair for grown-ups, with a bake sale and craft corner thrown in for good measure. Just imagine all the creative people you've ever met thrown into a room together, showing off their coolest projects.
What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Faire?
I love trading in my boring old clothes for sweet new ones at Swap-o-rama-rama, and I always enjoy watching the life-sized Mousetrap game demonstration. It hasn't worked once in the three years I've seen it! It's weirdly satisfying to watch it fail.
Is there anything not at the Faire that you wish were there?
A magical food stand with no line. I want my giant turkey leg, cotton candy, and kielbasa NOW.
Any advice for how visitors can get the most out of the weekend?
I naturally gravitate towards the art and craft stuff, but I've really learned a lot and gotten excited about the science/technology aspects of the fair. So I'd recommend taking a look at everything, even in areas you don't think you're interested in, be it a crochet tutorial or a robot war.
Aside from the fairgrounds themselves, is there anything that you’d recommend out-of-town visitors to do or see?
There's the Computer History Museum in nearby Mountain View, or you could catch an old movie at the beatifully restored Stanford Theater in Palo Alto.
