I’ve been interested in the intersection of art and technology for maybe most of my life. I love making things and I love learning things. To make things that I’m curious about I’ve learned that tools help. Classic tools - such as screwdrivers and hammers and pliers and fabrication tools such as sewing machines, band saws, craft cutters and lasers. I’ve found that building an awareness, and understanding of how to use tools and how to experiment with them to make things - has always given me joy and it has contributed to my confidence (and my patience as well) So that being said I realized that I’ve done a few technology projects during Covid isolation. I guess it means I’ve tried to up my game on learning. My regards to Carol Dweck for making it clear that with some determination, “grit” and supportive environments we can all learn new things as we get older, and that it makes you feel good. Having a supportive family - who encourage trying and trying again, open exploration of ideas, modeling joy and surprise in learning and emphasize reading - any kind of reading - fiction, fact, news, comics, trashy as well as respected writing - will help you be comfortable with learning new things.
Here is a little list of things that I’ve been working on and with during the pandemic - new tools to help me learn and do things better and some that I have not done before.
BalenaSound and RaspberryPi
I have a RaspberryPi 3 as I’ve been interested in what these inexpensive computers ($30-50) can be used for since they appeared. It seems that a lot of folks purchased them but then they sat in boxes as they ended up being more of a novelty - especially if you already have a working computer. What really interests me is how they can serve as a utility versus an everyday computer.
I recently found a great application for the RasberryPi (and our old stereo system) - how to build your own audio receiver which connects to the auxiliary(AUX) input of any audio device to give it modern streaming functionality. What that last sentence means is that the RasberryPi becomes a way for you to connect playing music on your phone to playing that music through your old school home stereo system (if you have one) If you play music on your phone through your car system this is pretty much the same thing.
You’ll need a Raspberry Pi 3 (at least) and to go to here for some great DIY instructions One additional thing I learned is that I needed to upgrade my bluetooth - and I had a USB bluetooth adaptor that was not being used. If you are in the same boat the adaptors are as cheap as $7 online. It works now and is quite amazing - now we just need the pandemic to end so we can get a group of people in the house for a dance party!
Software for creating stitch files for embroidery machines
I like sewing and I like sewing machines - every family should have one or access to one. Since I'm an artist I also really like embroidery machines - sewing machines that can sew designs, patterns and complex images in thread in fabric. They fall into the category of fabrication tools (along with lasers, craft cutters (a favorite), 3D printers (not a favorite), milling machines and CNC routers/welders.)
I have two favorite softwares for embroidery machines: Turtlestitch and inkstitch.