…and yes! I will be there with my Make Your Own Soap Booth!

The First Inaugural Houston Mini Maker Faire is being held Saturday, January 19,at the Stafford Centre on 10505 Cash Road. Scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., admission is $15 for adults ($20 at the door), or $10 ($12 at the door) for children 18 and under. Admission is free for kids two and under.

Who are the Makers? Folks who make stuff! They include inventors, artists, craftspeople, fabricators, artisans and anyone who enjoys hands-on creativity. Makers are tech enthusiasts, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, scientists, students, writers and poets. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The event in Houston promises an eclectic mash-up of techno-scientific artistry, gadget-crafting and hands-on demos and activities.

“We’re expecting more than 75 individuals or groups of Makers this year. They’ll be presenting all sorts of inventions, creations, artwork, and techno-gadgetry,” says Jacob Shiach, organizer of Maker Faire Houston. He encourages visitors to check out the Childrens Museums exhibit, 2000 sq ft of fun for children of all ages.

“This event is a wonderful day out for anyone,” says Shiach. “Even if you’re not a Maker, the sights and sounds, the color, and hands-on activities are fun for kids, parents, and even grandpa and grandma. It truly is a familyfriendly event with something for everyone.” He emphasizes that those who attend are as much a part of the Maker movement as the Makers themselves, “A family that comes to this event takes away the gift of knowledge. It’s a way for them to become inspired,” he says.

Shiach also encourages community leaders, local businesses, and educators to attend. “This is the best chance you will have all year to meet some of the most creative and imaginative people in our community,” he says. “The Faire is as much about meeting Makers as it is about the cool stuff they make. It’s a place to meet crafters, inventors, engineers and artists. And to realize they are folks just like you and me.” Shiach points out that the Makers are a grass-roots movement.

“Makers tend to be completely focused on their craft, so they don’t often self-promote or get the recognition they deserve,” says Shiach. “Yet they really are movers and shakers in our community.
They make things happen when it’s so easy just to watch TV or sit at your computer instead.”
Visitors can purchase tickets online at the Faire’s website or pay at the door. Additional information is available on the Maker Faire Houston website.

The 2013 Houston Mini Maker Faire will be a tipping point in Houston and Texas. Shiach knows that Maker Faires make a difference in people’s lives. “Our visitors leave feeling inspired – that they’re just as capable of creating, expressing and exploring the world around them,” he says. “We’re bringing back to life that spirit of American creativity, ingenuity and inventiveness. The spirit that makes our country great.”

My Maker Faire story is here: How Maker Faire Changed My Life