Project Research

Programmable LED Earrings

Found on: https://hackaday.com/2017/02/12/tiny-led-earrings-are-a-miniaturization-tour-de-force/ 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzbg-BqIdJI&t=61s 

Personal site / literal tutorial: https://mitxela.com/projects/charliestar 

What about this project caught your attention? / How do you see this project influencing your project idea?

I looked for it specifically! I was looking for wireless LED earrings so that I can learn how to create the first part of my project- the actual light-up earrings. It's pretty light in weight and small, which I was worried about. 

Components/materials

• ATtiny9 Microcontroller

• Breadboard (for prototyping)

• USBASP Programmer

• Resistors 

• Capacitors

• 3mm Red LEDs

• Coin Cell Battery

• Header Pins

• Copper Clad Board (for programming jig)

• Pyralux (copper-clad polyimide for flexible PCB)

• Solder

• Etching Acid

• Spray Paint (for masking in etching process)

• Laser Cutter Access

• Insulating tape

• Wire

• Software: Avrdude

GlowStitch LEDs 

Found on: https://certification.oshwa.org/au000012.html and https://hackaday.io/project/186907-glowstitch-led-strips 

Project open-source files (and materials): https://github.com/sjpiper145/GlowStitch 

What about this project caught your attention?

This project is a "machine sewable flexible circuit board", which helps eliminate the need to handsew conductive threads when trying to add LEDs to clothes and other fabrics. Basically, it saves time on hand stitching. Even though I don't think I'll make a fabric-based project, knowing there's easier ways to implement light (and possibly other electronics) helps remove some of the fear behind crafting wearable tech. 

Components/Materials: 

• LED Strips

• LED Strips w/ Resistor

• LED Ring

• Coin cell battery holder

• AAA Battery Holder