Fashioning Technology--New from O'Reilly Media: New DIY Book, Fashioning Technology, Takes Fashion and Crafting into the 21st Century

Sebastopol, CA--If Judy Jetson had a home-economics textbook, Fashioning Technology might be it. A new DIY (Do-It-Yourself) guide from O'Reilly Media and the creators of Craft magazine, Fashioning Technology takes traditional crafting into the future. Written for a broad audience, this book demonstrates how to blend sewing and assembly techniques with traditional electronics to craft a new generation of cool and fashion-forward items like LED bracelets and chandeliers, a Space Invaders tote bag, Aerial the Birdie Brooch (a brooch that actually reacts--and "chirps"--to sunlight!), color-changing blinds, creative toys, and so much more.

The core of Fashioning Technology revolves around "smart" materials. These dynamic materials, like color-shifting inks and hand sculptable plastic, magically give "life" to everyday items by changing and responding to their environment.

"Smart materials and electronics have opened an exciting new world of possibilities for traditional crafting," explains author Syuzi Pakhchyan. "With this new palette of materials, we can now create objects infused with magical and mysterious qualities. The first book of its kind, 'Fashioning Technology' is just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible."

Fashioning Technology covers three topics: wearables, objects for the home, and interactive toys.

Among the projects:

• LED Bracelet: move over "jewel-encrusted," because now there's "LED-encrusted." Simple and easy, this accessory filled with "techno-sequins" will let you stand out in any fashion-loving crowd.
• Solar Crawler: magically translating the sun's invisible rays into song, this pull-toy will fascinate both children and adults alike.
• Space Invaders Tote: featuring an ambient light signal, this bag can remarkably alert you when you receive an incoming phone call.
• Photochromic Blinds: supplementing conventional inks with photochromic inks create patterns that appear and disappear when a UV light source, such as the sun, is removed, giving your blinds a life of their own!
• Luminescent Table: this table features a decorative pattern coated with a phosphorescent ink. The pattern absorbs sunshine during the day and emits light at night. It doesn't require any electricity and can glow for up to several hours.

Fashioning Technology gives readers jargon-free primers and lots of how-to projects that will have them making and wearing functional works of art in no time.

About Syuzi Pakhchyan
Based in Los Angeles, author Syuzi Pakhchyan is a user experience designer, artist, and robotics instructor. She received her BFA from UC Berkeley and her MFA in Media Design from the Art Center College of Design. Her work in fashion and technology has been exhibited at Eyebeam, an art and technology gallery in New York, as well as at the Fashion Future Event, Maker Faire, and the O'Reilly Emerging Technologies Conference.

Additional Resources:

For more information about the book, including table of contents, index, author bio, and samples, see: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596514372/

Fashioning Technology: A DIY Intro to Smart Crafting
Syuzi Pakhchyan
ISBN: 9780596514372, $29.99 US
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1-707-827-7000

Maker Media is a division of O'Reilly Media devoted entirely to the growing community of resourceful people who believe that if you can imagine it, you can make it. Consisting of Make Magazine, Craft Magazine, Maker Faire, and the Hacks series of books, Maker Media encourages the Do-It-Yourself mentality by providing creative inspiration and instruction.

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