The Brighton Mini Maker Faire returns to the Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome

Curiouser & curiouser

Imagine a place where you can converse with a life size humanoid knitting robot, create a 3D print of yourself, discover the ancient art of leathercraft, build a home-made synthesiser, help to knit an historical map of Brighton, hang out with Daleks and Storm Troopers, learn to code on a vintage computer from the 1980s, make your own fuzzy felt set or sock puppet, and join a debate with TV’s Maggie Philbin – all in one mind-bogglingly memorable day. If you have been to this place before, you may have guessed by now that we’re talking about the Brighton Mini Maker Faire, the city’s annual celebration of creativity and invention. And you’ll be glad to know that this one-of-a-kind event is back for a third year next month, with an even more eclectic line-up over two days.

“Maker Faire is a hands-on event that lets curious and creative types of all ages find out how things are made”

For those that haven’t experienced a Maker Faire before, here’s a little background. Now a global movement, Maker Faire was started in the US by the founders of O’Reilly’s Make Magazine, as a way to bring to light all the eccentric, outlandish and inspiring creations that were going on in the sheds, garages and lofts of amateur crafters, inventors, scientists and engineers around the country. More than just an exhibition or craft show, Maker Faire is a hands-on event that lets curious and creative types of all ages find out how things are made, and have a go at making something themselves.

Organised by the local maker community, Brighton Mini Maker Faire has grown from a few tables in the Dome Foyer Bar in 2011 to one of the city’s biggest cultural happenings, now taking over the whole Corn Exchange and adjoining spaces (the ‘Mini’ is a reference to the fact that it’s an independent spin off from the main Maker Faire, and nothing to do with the size of the event).

On Saturday 7 September, the main interactive exhibition will include all of the highlights already mentioned, plus another 50 or so weird and wonderful projects to discover. There’ll be a team of ‘Educational Interpreters’ on hand to help translate some of the more complex inventions, so that even young kids can get to grips with them. Whether you are into traditional crafts, science experiments or high-tech gadgets, you’ll be guaranteed to find something to inspire and entertain.

If you fancy a bit of maker-related chin-stroking, a mini conference will also take place alongside the Saturday event, with high profile speakers and panellists including Bang Goes The Theory’s Maggie Philbin – who will chair a debate on Making for Social Good, and BBC Online Technology columnist Bill Thompson – whose animated panel of advocates and skeptics will attempt to unravel the truth behind the 3D printing revolution.

On Sunday 8 September, a day of in-depth workshops will take place in the Dome Foyer Bar, to include sessions on making your own DIY portable sound system, turning a kid’s toy into a robot and making a useless machine!

However you choose to get involved, Brighton Mini Maker Faire is an adventure that will stay with you for forever, and may well turn you into a maker yourself. Many visitors site the event as the catalyst for an ongoing interest in making, or have reported their kids wanting to learn more after having been along. According to Mike Pountney, Build Brighton Director and event organiser, this is exactly the spirit the Faire strives for:

“Every year we’ve tried to add something a bit different so that people can keep coming back, and keep getting inspired. Our ultimate mission is to make more makers, and we encourage visitors to come with an open mind and a willingness to learn. This year looks set to be the best yet, and we can’t wait to see you there!”

Saturday 7 September – Main Interactive Exhibition & Conference £5, under 16s free
Sunday 8 September – Workshops, individually priced.
Tickets on sale at www.makerfairebrighton.com/tickets
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faire for all the latest news.