._.: diy

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Mr. Toastie: Product Development

(slightly burned and puffed-up barley on left, and barley fresh out of the bag on right)

Lately, I've been busy making these little gocco'd microwaveable hot packs. It's something I made primarily for myself because of my frequent tummyaches (due to cold weather, etc.) Previously I would use one from one of those stands at the mall. But it was the wrong shape and size and... was lime green with butterflies and flowers on it. So I decided to make my own. I'm at the stage now where I'm discovering areas for improvement in some of the samples I'd sent out.

1. Rice vs. Barley filling - Barley costs less and was on sale so I got a bunch to test. Turns out, it burns really easily, which you can really smell. I guess it's definitely back to rice.

2. Lemon Peel fail - One of my smells, Lemon Peel, which I thought smelled fresh unheated, didn't give off as strong a smell after heating. It was a bit of a disappointment since two of my closest friends ordered that one. I'll have to find a replacement eventually, but at least I know now that I want something that's as effective-smelling as lavender. Need to test the spearmint next.

Oh I just thought of something... what if I mix in tea leaves like English Breakfast. Or COFFEE! I'm getting carried away, let's see how it goes.

The Inventor in Me

I'm back from vacation, and although I haven't gotten into the usual grind yet, I have lots of things lined up for me to make. I took the boyfriend's advice about only asking for gifts that make me make stuff. So I asked, and I received. Among these are: a screenprinting kit, a good tripod, and the one I'm probably currently most excited for... an Arduino inventor's kit! I'm excited because I know almost nothing about it except for what I've read, but I'm looking forward to making computer/electronic signals have physical effects (sound, light, movement). Here and here are some projects that make use of Arduino technology.

UPDATE: Sugru

Just an update on the Sugru package I received in the mail the other day. I finally ended up thinking of what I could use it for. I have this hamper I got on sale at Target for 63¢. The problem is that the handle edges that sit inside your fingers as you carry it are really thin and sharp. It hurts especially when you have a heavy load. Here are the pictures from my remedy. It's now been 24 hours and it's finally cured to a nice silicone. No more hurting hands!