D.I.Y.

"People get satisfaction for being able to create/craft things because they can see themselves in the objects they make. This is not possible in purchased products. At the bottom, crafting is a form of play."

I made an AM radio when I was about eight; my dad taught me to solder and the radio was our project. Since then I've made numerous things including a drum machine, a mixer, effects boxes, power supplies and musical instruments. I've modified countless items to make them more functional or easier to use. It becomes part of a way of thinking -- "this thing would work better if I cut this part off", "if this was glued down it would be more secure", "how cool would it be if this did this", and most frequently "there is no way I'm paying $$$ for that when I can just do it myself." Admittedly this can be annoying to those around me, who often wait a long time for me to get around to things. But at the end of the day, it makes me feel more in control of my world.

• theremins: history, building and unexpected places they show up
• circuit bending: circuit bent instruments and links to resources
• other projects: other things bent, folded, mutilated and/or crafted
• 30 Day Creative Challenge: I made something every day of June 2010