Enjoy a fun-filled day while doing your holiday shopping at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County’s Winter Craft Fair this weekend – December 5th and 6th at the Northampton High School.
This amazing charity event has been running for 35 years and includes many one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. I’ll be there with my robot army all weekend and have created a special bot for the silent auction on Saturday.
First order of business in Yeti spotting is where to find one? You are in luck because I know of one right in the heart of the Pioneer Valley – the new holiday art pop-up Yeti Market. While I can’t guarantee an actual Yeti – I did see a gold dusted Boba Fett topped with a Barbie head and frankly, who can tell the difference?
Thanks to Rob Kimmel, the brainchild…er mad genius behind it, I am exited to be part of this 2 day event featuring handmade goods from offbeat makers with unique vision and amazing skills. Where else can you find gothic cross-stitch next to fine woodworking, unique stuffed monster toys next to beautiful jewelry? Whether you are celebrating the Equinox, Christmas, Chanukkah, or Kwanzaa, you will find the perfect “must have gift”.
This special pop-up will be open on November 14th, which is the same day as the upcoming Art Walk, the monthly celebration of galleries and artists in Easthampton and also on December 5th. Hours both days are 12-8pm and I hope to see you there for one of them!
If you’re a tech enthusiast, crafter, educator, tinkerer, hobbyist, engineer, science club member, author, artist, student, entrepreneur, or maker of any kind— join me at the Barnes and Noble Mini Maker Faire!
I will be at the Barnes and Noble at Mountain Farms in Hadley for the “Meet the Maker Q&A session” starting at 7pm on Friday November 6th – sharing stories about my process, creations and thoughts on the Maker movement.
If you can’t join me for the session on Friday night, you can stop by to see my Shopbots which will be on display through out the weekend Nov. 6-8th. Hope to see you there.
I have had such amazing time in the past few weeks from gallery openings to the Maker Faire and even a few visits to my shop to see “behind the scenes”. Meeting people is such an exciting part of my work. But I can honestly say the absolute best time for me is seeing some little kids eyes light up when we are talking and they realize that they can do it too!
A few different families with budding “little makers” reached out to me to let me know that after one of my events (and sometimes with a small part I gave them) they later found their kids tinkering on the floor, crafting in the garage or outside working on their own creations.
Meet a few hundred people at the Hartford Maker’s Faire last week and almost everyone I talked to there had a story to share about what it was that inspired them. What inspires you?
Just as many *big* kids as little kids that day. Good times.
Meet Terry Rennert, a found-object artist who makes robots from recycled materials
Greater Hartford Maker Faire (GHMF): Can you tell me about your exhibit and what activities will be available?
Terry: My exhibit area will be home to many members of my recycled robot family for you to visit with, pick up and trying to sort through each one to figure out “what did this part use to be?” I love sharing stories about how I created them and am available to answer any questions you might have. I will have photos of my work, different pieces and parts that I work with and some of the tools I use. Perhaps you’ll spark an idea for a creation yourself!
GHMF: You consider yourself a “found-object artist”. What do you do and what inspired you to start building?
Terry: From the first time at 8 yrs. old when I dismantled my grandfather’s Bulova Accutron watch to see what was on the inside, I knew wanted to tinker more and create things. I have always loved Legos, Tinker Toys and Erector Sets along with a healthy obsession for video games and sci-fi movies – one day I put on my welding mask on and found a robot lying in the pile of junk in front of me.
I am inspired to make found-object robot sculptures because it is amazing to have random parts starting back at you as you drill, grind and weld them – it’s as if they like it and are thankful that you found them.
GHMF: You said you find discarded objects who are longing to be something new – can you describe your process and how you decide what to make?
Terry: I like to start with a single piece, probably found at a flea market or one of my many junk yard visits, and let it speak to me. Maybe it’s a face or an arm; from there, more pieces are added until it has completed its transformation. I try not to force things together so sometimes, I put a sculpture down and just start on a new one. But honestly I see robots and robot parts everywhere, so I am always inspired to grab something and make it something else.
GHMF: The maker movement has become a global phenomenon. Yet, many people are not sure what a maker is or does. What do you think is the biggest misconception about this community?
Terry: Hackers, tinkerers, builders, knitters, and home brewers – whatever you identify with, I think we are all makers in some fashion and it is inspiring to see the self-made rather than mass-produced. The biggest maker movement misconception (say that 3 times fast!) I see is that making is about the end result and perhaps even that only certain people can do it.
Making satisfies my curiousness, it challenges me to learn something new, it allows me to share and shape; I encounter difficulties and need to figure out how to solve problems – it is as much about the process of making as it is about what you make.
GHMF: Is there anything else you would like to share about your project?
Terry: Most of my work to date has been with metal, but I have started also tinkering more with wood, stone and other mediums – I never know what is going to inspire me next so stay tuned. I guess I’d also share that you can go from user to creator in an instant so poke around your house or your yard for ideas and never be afraid you are “doing it wrong.” If you are creating, then you are definitely doing it right!
GHMF: What is the best way for people to get in touch with you?
Terry: You reach me via email: terry@tmrennertstudios.com and see what I’m up to on my website/blog www.tmrennertstudios.com
GHMF: Give Terry a follow and find him on these other networks too.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tmrennertstudios/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMRennertStudios
Twitter: https://twitter.com/terrymrennert
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/132106327@N03/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/terrymrennert/
Got my Radio Flyer packed and ready to roll out for LOOP on Saturday. This 2 day event features a wide range of handmade repurposed art, jewelry, home décor, furniture, clothing and accessories. Come out and support local artists at 232 Northampton St in Easthampton starting at 10am.
Mark your calendar for the Greater Hartford Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tunxis Community College in Farmington. I’ll be bringing my Shopbots along for a steady stream of fun and instruction – come by my booth for a visit (or a laugh!).
This free event is celebration of invention and creativity – open to people of all ages who are interested in creating, making, building, innovating, tinkering, hacking, engineering, designing or connecting.
Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning.
The aim is to entertain, inform, connect and grow the maker community – uniting, inspiring, informing, and entertaining a growing community of resourceful people who undertake amazing projects in their backyards, basements, and garages. I hope to see you there.
Easthampton City Arts+ Gallery is hosting a sneak peek satellite exhibit of LOOP artists where you can see a few of my recent pieces up-close and personal – including Hawkeye, who features a vintage brownie camera.
The exhibit kicks off with a reception during Art Walk Easthampton this coming Saturday, September 12 from 5 to 8pm and the gallery show will continue through September 29.
If you can’t make it to ECA+ please visit me at LOOP September 26 and 27. This 2 day event features a wide range of handmade repurposed art, jewelry, home décor, furniture, clothing and accessories.