|
Video Games Brought to LifeCreating a life size replica of Elementalist Light Lux's Wand from League of Legends
|
|
"Look within yourself what do you see" - Luxanna
|
|
|
|
Reflection on the Maker ProcessMaking this project was a lot more difficult than I expected. When I first started I didn't even know how everything was going to turn out, but when I finished holding it up and seeing what I had created I felt an enormous amount of pride and joy. Just by finishing this project I already am eager to start a new one!
Through this process I learned to use a new technology, Inkscape and a new power tool, the rotary tool. When I think back to reading The Maker Movement Manifesto the line that I kept in my head during this project is that "making is fundamental to what it means to be human". This quote struck me the first time I read it because I knew that I have stayed away from a lot of projects because I have been too scared of messing it up. As we grow up we are constantly told how things should be done, or when things are not done "good enough". These discouragements lead us away from our potential as humans to make. During this project there were moments when I wanted to give up because I thought what I had done wasn't good enough. For example, when I began the shaping part I spent 4 hours working on one star. The shaping takes a large amount of steadiness and concentration on angles. I was running out of time during my busy week. I knew that if I had practiced more if I could just have spent more time learning to use the rotary tool that it would've turned out better. During that moment I was extremely critical on myself, but I stopped and remembered what I had read from Mark Hatch. I knew that the reason why I was being hard on myself is because I realized I could achieve anything I wanted if I try hard enough. I took that feeling and embraced it and continued my project knowing that the next time I use the rotary tool I will be better, I can learn more and I can make anything I want to. The challenges we face during making are what help us get better and grow as innovators. In the end I finished a project I was very proud of, I learned new skills and I am motivated to continue learning so that I can create more. |
During the making process we are able to use the hardships to learn new skills and to problem solve. For example in my project when it came time to attach the wand ends to the handle I had to figure out a way to keep them sturdy on the fulcrum point. After about 20 minutes of brainstorming ideas I was able to come up with the idea to cut the PVC pipe connectors to fit the base of the wand ends. With time and effort problems are solved and new ideas are formed.
Maker projects allow us to grow our critical thinking skills. By practicing problem solving during making we are able to also encourage others during their maker projects. I hope to continue to make more props and costumes and I am extremely excited to show off my Luxanna wand at Austin's Comic Con. |
Jewelry Making
|
Choreography
|
Painting
|
Faceting
|
I've made a few pieces of jewelry for myself and as gifts for others. Below is a necklace I made for all the girls on my cheerleading squad at NYOS Charter School.
Materials Used: Jewelry Wire Charms |
I've been involved with dance since high school. I've choreographed many dances during high school, college and now for the middle school and high school cheer teams at NYOS Charter School. Below is part of a piece I choreographed for the MS cheer team for their breast cancer awareness performance.
|
I love to paint and often paint for fun at home! Below is a painting my husband and I made together for our apartment. We decided to use a variety of our favorite colors to make a galaxy painting.
|
During my time as a student at The University of Texas at Austin I was able to take a course over gemology. I learned how to facet many gems including the Quartz example below. I've faceted other gems such as Citrine piece for my mother and amethyst piece I used to make a necklace for a friend.
|