Have a great day and happy switch crafting!

How 2.0: How to Make a Twittering Teddy Bear from My Home 2.0 DIY on Vimeo.

There is lots you can do with Twittering Teddy!

+ Make your own animatronic Twittering Animal from the steps on the MyHome2.0 site

+ You can watch the streaming video on USTREAM.TV. She will be there for two weeks.

+ If you want to talk to Teddy through Twitter, you can add here on your twitter account by going to:
http://twitter.com/Teddy2PointHome

After Twittering Teddy takes her final curtain call on UStream.tv, she'll be auctioned off on eBay, with all the proceeds being donated to the Homeless Children's Education Fund.

I just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know how excited I am about the upcoming release SWITCH CRAFT: Battery Powered Projects To Make and Sew. As you can imagine its been very busy.

At the same time, I have been working with Verizon as a host for their upcoming TV show Myhome 2.0. They have a page filled with behind the scenes footage, great new content and fabulous DIY's.

If you are looking for more information on SWITCH CRAFT, it can be found by visiting the Random House Homepage. Pre-orders are available and you can find that information on the Random House Site.

We are currently filming step by step tutorials and DIY' to coincide with the launch and release of SWITCH CRAFT, and we'll be back very very soon!

Alison Lewis
Your Techno Fashionista

Those of you unfamiliar with Maker Faire it is a gathering of all things electronic, craft, and DIY brought together under one roof. Imagine learning how to make a fire skirt that is not only stylish but looks like it is ablaze with flames…Now that is something that could be really hot! Learn how to make interactive toys using conductive thread, or try your hand at making a light panelfor inside your purse by Switch’s own Alison Lewis – now you will always be able to find your lipstick no matter how dark the club may be.

Don’t want to spend all your time with your sleeves rolled up in the workshop? How about wandering around and exploring the interactive exhibits that will be on hand? Then just when you think your feet will fail you, why not check out some of the discussion panels and presentations. Alison will be leading a panel on the main stage on Sat may 19th at 1pm talking to Diana Eng, Emily Albinski and Syuzi Pakhchyan about the future of fashion technology and electronic craft.

Remember if you can’t make it to Maker Faire keep checking out the site in the coming weeks for highlights from it. Also don’t forget Maker Faire will be in Austin Texas on October 20th +21st at the Travis County Fairgrounds where switch will be showing off some great new craft ideas…you might even get a behind the scenes look at Switch’s upcoming works.

Don’t forget if you are in the area drop by and say hi! We’ll be looking forward to seeing you there.

Don't be afraid to use your imagination and really launch out into the deep. Then, who knows what you may come up with. Nothing has been made that's worthwhile without someone having a vision. May yours be great! – Alice Merryman

This outspoken woman from the tiny town of Clinton, Arkansas traveled the world, educated people on politics and religion, created crafts, and took part in historical events that celebrate American heritage. My grandmother first came to NYC during the sixties. Her visit was to attend the Worlds Fair and to show off her shukery. For those of you who do not know what shukery is; shukery is a traditional American Indian craft, where items such as dolls, chairs, bonnets or bowls are made from roped or woven corn husk. One item she took with her, on this adventure, to display, at the Worlds Fair, was a foot stool that she hand crafted. This stool now sits in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. My family takes immense pride in this piece, not just because it is fortunate enough to be sitting in the Smithsonian, but because now, generations of families can come and learn about the history of shukery. My grandmother was not only handy with her hands in craft but she also wrote a book on shukery.

This book explained the methods, styles, and techniques, and as I am reminded of this I become very reflective. I see the influences she has had on me to get interested in craft, to come to NYC and pursue my fine arts degree at Parsons College, and to walk in her footsteps by publishing my own how to book– Which will be printed by Potter Craft, a division of Random House, in Summer of 2008 and will encompass technology and craft.

My Grandmother Alice has left her footprints on the world and will now be missed, she taught us though action and words to never stop helping others, always take time for family, and most importantly that making things with your hands will keep your mind and heart strong. With these ideas she will live forever in the hearts of her family, friends, and loved ones. Take the time today to visit her website, and find inspiration. Inspiration from a special women, from a different era, who helped shape our world today…

www.alicedrivermerryman.org

My grandmother didn't start crafting and painting until she was in her late 50's, but when she started she never stopped. In the last 50 years of her life she made and gave away so many items that its impossible to share them all with you. However, here are a few that I think show her tenacity for making and impeccable skills as a craftswoman.

One of the beautiful hand stitched patchwork quilts. Grandma made at least 10 quilts a year up until the age of 99.

Her corn shuck dolls are a family favorite, each one unique. (We all wanted the Indian though because he had feathers!)

Her famous corn shuckery roses, her website has directions on how to make these flowers.

Grandma made beautiful flower arrangements with her corn shuck flowers and from natural items she found on the farm.

Unlike me, grandma wasn't into fashion. But that didn't keep her from making fashionable items like this woven corn husk purse.

Thank you Grandma!

This time around, we are talking to both Angel Chang and her collaborator Adam Beckerman of www.visualife.tv. Angel asked Adam to create hidden/optical illusion military imagery into 4 different patterned layers that make up the underskirt of her white halter dress.

Watch Part II Interview Quicktime (5 Min, 11M)
Download for IPod: Angel Chang Part II

(right click or "ctrl" click and select "save as")

Interview: Angel Chang

Angel is currently a contributor for Vogue.com France and has worked as a designer for Donna Karan, Viktor & Rolf and interned at Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs. Among other notable press she has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, New York Times, Newsweek and Elle Magazine.

Adam Beckerman:
Adam Beckerman is a 3D artist and technologist, you can find out more about Adam at his website at www.visualife.tv.

You can find out more about Angel and view her collections at www.angelchang.com

Fashion Photography: Lee Clower
Model: Lisa N (CQ Model) Manager: John Paul Pfeiffer

Please also check out Angel's Fall 2007 collection presented at New York Fashion Week on February 1st on Alison's Flickr account here: Angel Chang Fall 2007 on Flickr

Watch Part 1 Interview Quicktime (7 Min, 16M)

Download for IPod: Angel Chang Part I

(right click or "ctrl" click and select "save as")

Interview: Angel Chang

Angel is currently a contributor for Vogue.com France and has worked as a designer for Donna Karan, Viktor & Rolf and interned at Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs. Among other notable press she has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, New York Times, Newsweek and Elle Magazine.

Adam Beckerman:
Adam Beckerman is a 3D artist and technologist, you can find out more about Adam at his website at www.visualife.tv.

You can find out more about Angel and view her collections at www.angelchang.com

Fashion Photography: Lee Clower
Model: Lisa N (CQ Model) Manager: John Paul Pfeiffer

In this episode Alison talks to JF Magic Founder Lee Wainwright about light up clothing and textiles and how he formed JF Magic. In the interview they discover shoes that light up with your every step, skirts that make kissy faces, purses that light up when your cell phone rings and much more.

JF Magic was founded by, Lee Wainwright, who while teaching Secondary School Science, began innovative product designs for various uses of fiber optics and LED technologies. Seven patents later, he has clients like Disney, Nike, and Sony, and stars like Brittany Spears and Robin Williams wearing his cool light up custom clothing.
JF magic uses LED technology which is rapidly changing the way we see things.

LEDs or Light emitting diodes:
• give off almost no heat
• consume a fraction of the electricity
• exhibit magnitudes the lifespan of conventional lighting

At JF Magic they combine LEDs with fiber optics and fabrics as well as other technologies. They can also help you prototype and design your own projects because they have access to manufacturing in the US and in China. "

In this episode Alison talks to JF Magic Founder Lee Wainwright about light up clothing and textiles and how he formed JF Magic. In the interview they discover shoes that light up with your every step, skirts that make kissy faces, purses that light up when your cell phone rings and much more.

JF Magic was founded by, Lee Wainwright, who while teaching Secondary School Science, began innovative product designs for various uses of fiber optics and LED technologies. Seven patents later, he has clients like Disney, Nike, and Sony, and stars like Brittany Spears and Robin Williams wearing his cool light up custom clothing.
JF magic uses LED technology which is rapidly changing the way we see things.

LEDs or Light emitting diodes:
• give off almost no heat
• consume a fraction of the electricity
• exhibit magnitudes the lifespan of conventional lighting

At JF Magic they combine LEDs with fiber optics and fabrics as well as other technologies. They can also help you prototype and design your own projects because they have access to manufacturing in the US and in China. "

Download for IPod: Part 1|

In this episode Alison talks to JF Magic Founder Lee Wainwright about light up clothing and textiles and how he formed JF Magic. In the interview they discover shoes that light up with your every step, skirts that make kissy faces, purses that light up when your cell phone rings and much more.

JF Magic was founded by, Lee Wainwright, who while teaching Secondary School Science, began innovative product designs for various uses of fiber optics and LED technologies. Seven patents later, he has clients like Disney, Nike, and Sony, and stars like Brittany Spears and Robin Williams wearing his cool light up custom clothing.
JF magic uses LED technology which is rapidly changing the way we see things.

LEDs or Light emitting diodes:
• give off almost no heat
• consume a fraction of the electricity
• exhibit magnitudes the lifespan of conventional lighting

At JF Magic they combine LEDs with fiber optics and fabrics as well as other technologies. They can also help you prototype and design your own projects because they have access to manufacturing in the US and in China. "

{NEW BLOG}
We have taken the design further and upgraded the site to a real blog with a cool Archive Section, Learning Library, Donate section and more…

{NEWSLETTER}

We’ve moved over everyone’s email address to the new mailing program which will keep Switch in touch with you smoothly and seamlessly. This means you no longer can send a message to the switch group; instead it acts solely as a newsletter or email list. If you want to leave a message, leave a comment on the blog or send us a message through the contact form (http://iheartswitch.com/contact). As always, we are happy to hear from you and if the need arises we’ll add a talk forum in the future.

{NEW SHOWS COMING IN JUNE!}

1) Lovie Circuits, two circuits that light up when together
2) Interview with an inventor who integrates lights into clothing and accessories.

{SUBSCRIBE to VIDEO FEED}

Switch is a blog, which means you can subscribe and have it brought straight to your computer through an RSS* feed. You subscribe to us by:

- Going to Feedburner: http://feeds.feedburner.com/iheartswitch/rtfh (and following instructions in the "subscribe" area)
- If you use iTunes, do a search for us in the Pod Casting Area. Search for "SWITCH"
- If you use FireAnt and you should subscribe

*What is RSS? Find out more: http://www.sixapart.com/about/feeds

{PRESS}

MAY:
Switch was featured in WIRED magazine, page 128.
Switch featured on G4Tech.tv on May 4th (http://www.g4techtv.ca/torrent/episode/episode5/index.shtml?episode5)

JUNE:
Switch will be featured in BUST magazine, so keep an eye out!

{SPONSORS}

Switch is a labor of love and is produced, organized and the projects are implemented by mainly one person and a few people who contribute when they can (Like: Karen on Graphics) It is done without sponsorship. What this means is that it takes a little longer to get things produced, materials to be purchased, and to do projects and the filming and what not. This is not an excuse, but we ask that you be patient with SWITCH as we try to get going full speed over the summer.

We’ve added a donate page for those of you who appreciate and enjoy the idea of Switch and want to see more happen. You can find it here: http://iheartswitch.com/help.

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement. Also, thank you to Lindsey Lake who chopped and integrated the layout (done by Karen lee) with MovableType. You did a great job!

Stay Tuned, see you soon,

Alison

As always, if you are receiving this email by mistake or no longer want to be a part of the Switch List, then please go to http://iheartswitch.com/subscribe.php and unsubscribe from the mailing list.

(right click or "ctrl" click and select "save as")

In this special feature Alison visits Banana Design Lab to talk with Yury Gitman, the creator of My Beating Heart. In Part 3, Yury and Alison go inside My Beating Heart to discover how it is made.

My Beating Heart is a soft huggable heart with a soothing heartbeat you can really feel. When hugging the heart, the tactile heartbeat reminds you of holding a pet or a loved-one. Hold the heart a moment and you'll begin to sense your own heartbeat slowly syncing with My Beating Heart's carefully designed rhythm. My Beating Heart is designed to help you relax, daydream, meditate, and nap.

Each "Beating Heart" is handmade in New York and is of museum quality. The use of only the highest quality materials makes for an experience that will last for years. Select a style that looks most cuddly to you.

In this special feature Alison visits Banana Design Lab to talk with Yury Gitman, the creator of My Beating Heart.

My Beating Heart is a soft huggable heart with a soothing heartbeat you can really feel. When hugging the heart, the tactile heartbeat reminds you of holding a pet or a loved-one. Hold the heart a moment and you'll begin to sense your own heartbeat slowly syncing with My Beating Heart's carefully designed rhythm. My Beating Heart is designed to help you relax, daydream, meditate, and nap.

Each "Beating Heart" is handmade in New York and is of museum quality. The use of only the highest quality materials makes for an experience that will last for years. Select a style that looks most cuddly to you.

In this special feature Alison visits Banana Design Lab to talk with Yury Gitman, the creator of My Beating Heart.

My Beating Heart is a soft huggable heart with a soothing heartbeat you can really feel. When hugging the heart, the tactile heartbeat reminds you of holding a pet or a loved-one. Hold the heart a moment and you'll begin to sense your own heartbeat slowly syncing with My Beating Heart's carefully designed rhythm. My Beating Heart is designed to help you relax, daydream, meditate, and nap.

Each "Beating Heart" is handmade in New York and is of museum quality. The use of only the highest quality materials makes for an experience that will last for years. Select a style that looks most cuddly to you.

Alison went to the Consumer Electronic Showcase in Las Vegas, NV and had a great time finding out about products that keep parents and kids connected (Chitter Chatter), well designed objects from Finland (iqua) and Soft interactive buttons and dials (Eleksen).