This weekend (November 5th and 6th, 2022) marked the 10th annual Maker Faire Orlando, a rather large event that features everything from electronics, to art, cosplay, robot fighting, 3D printers, educational institutions, and more. Naturally, there were a number of Tindarians in attendance!
Four Bit Industries
Mr. Four Bits, of Four Bit Industries, had a very nice display. While he was on his own last year and struggled to keep up with sales, this time he brought his sister to help. Their booth was not directly adjacent to mine this year, as it was in 2021, but I understand they put on a good event, with brisk sales. Four Bit Industries’ Simon-like memory game was their top seller, though they had a rather clever hidden pennies and sand display that was a great method to show off their metal detector’s capabilities.
A lot of the solder kits that he sells are especially attractive for learners and young makers, which appears to make them ideal for this type of show. Certainly worth a look online as well!
NightFire Electronics
NightFire Electronics was in attendance this year, and as usual–they’ve been attending since at least 2018 when I interviewed Augustin, the store’s owner–they had a variety of kits on display, most of which were designed by Augustin himself. On the other hand, there were not as many loose components as at previous shows.
Components were there, but what was on display was encased in resin and shaped into coasters, letters, and other fun things, as quite a unique art form/line of products. This is the purview of Augustin’s wife, who since the 2018 interview has retired from her role as an ICU nurse, and now helps run their (actual, physical) store. She finds this type of art to be quite enjoyable.
JC Devices
JC Devices–Jeremy Cook Devices–is my Tindie store. While I had a booth, I was not there as a seller, but attended to promote my various ventures, including my Tindie site, the Create/Invent podcast, my YouTube page, and to get and share ideas. While successful on some level, at the same time I do feel like it’s probably good to narrow your focus so as not to confuse people, and to perhaps get some usable feedback/sales/subscriptions on what you’re doing/selling.
Whether I’ll change my pattern for next year is to be determined. Someone at a Faire once asked me how many Jeremy Cooks there were. I’m not sure if he was joking or serious, and whether or not that is a good or bad thing.
RasterWeb!
Not actually at the Faire – pulled from @raster’s Twitter profile
I do a lot of different things in this world, but at least I’m not the only one. Pete Prodoehl is involved in a variety of different pursuits and sells on Tindie at his RasterWeb! store. For the Faire, however, he was there to help run the show itself. He was thus primarily in the background and didn’t have his own booth at all.
He did, however, stop by my table, and we had a nice chat. If you were there it’s quite possible you saw him running around solving and/or creating problems. His store lists a number of breakouts that he designed for himself, and (correctly) surmised that others might want as well.
Attend a Faire or Event!
The 2022 Maker Faire Orlando was quite an enjoyable event, though this sort of thing is always exhausting as an exhibitor. If you have the opportunity, I’d encourage anyone to check this type of event out, and even display if you have something you’d like to share. You never know how you might inspire others, or be inspired yourself, or what opportunity might come from the connections gained by putting yourself out there!
