What is Maker Faire?
Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects.
We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Glimpse the future and get inspired!
Featured Makers
501st Legion & Mando Mercs Costume Clubs
The 501st Legion and Mando Mercs are both charity Star Wars costuming clubs that are recognized by both Lucasfilm and Disney.
Emission spectra
Join Randolph College to learn about how different gases produce distinct light patterns and how we can use these in astronomy.
Nufar Studio Designs
Nufar Studio Designs is a jewelry business that I started 5 years ago that displays handmade jewelry inspired by the earth. These eclectic pieces feature natural resources, some even being local (like "sea" glass from the James River). My "Trash to Treasure Project" focuses on repurposing glass found on the shores of the James River. The glass is then cleaned, polished, and wire-wrapped into pendants used for varies styles of necklaces and keychains. Not only is each piece unique, it's also a statement: one that emphasizes the importance of keeping our local rivers clean. Apart from that project, I also offer handmade rings made out of buttons, and eclectic earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Nova Labs Racing
Northern Virginia's largest community makerspace, Nova Labs, is excited to join its first Power Racing Series race with entries Barbie & Ken!
Laser energy
Join Randolph College to learn about the energy in lasers and how you can use a laser to pop a balloon.
Musical Geodesic Dome
An amazing 7 foot tall geodesic dome that acts like a piano only with this "instrument" the musician just touches one (or many) of the 25 struts of the geodesic dome to trigger musical sounds. It's a combination of art, geometry, and architecture!
TheCraftyMarthaShop
The Crafty Martha Shop specializes in creating a large variety of quality handmade goods, ranging from jewelry and accessories to home décor pieces. Martha’s booths have featured many mediums, including tufting, latch hook, cross stitch, wire wrapping, resin, beadwork, polymer clay, watercolor, acrylics, miniature painting, etching, plant preservation, and living terrariums.
Vector Space FRC Robotics
We are Vector Space, a local robotics team that competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). The industrial-grade robot we’re showing off is the result of weeks of CAD design, rapid prototyping, and a lot of teamwork. We’re at Maker Faire to show how competitive robotics connects what we learn in school to real-world engineering, helping to build the next generation of STEM leaders through hands-on work and collaboration.
