“Make it yourself!” For a
number of months REthinkthings Ltd (known for producing quantity, factory made, household acccessories and gifts) have been thinking about producing a product
which the user can construct themselves through downloadable and printed
graphic instruction kits. What better way to approach this than from a point of
sustainability using easily accessible household by-products?
Made from 105 loo
roll tubes we developed “Spirollight”, the geometric chandelier inspired by
chakras and mandalas. In taking ownership through production, the user is in control
of the end result, they can even personalise the product to their preference through
choice in form and finish, cutting costs and strengthening value and emotive
bond.
Spirollight is the first of what will become a series
of crafted products from REthinkthings. Spirollight is a collaboration between
Ilsa Parry and Andrew Luft in creating an accessible version of urban chic
designer lighting. Spirollight is affordable, engaging and sustainable and even
helps the user to avoid those “designer” price tags whilst offering a role in
the creation of something unique.
Spirollight can be created by the everyday crafter by
cutting and interlocking cylinders using our easy templates which are downloadable
here in A4 PDF format for home printing. Alternatively accurate cutting
guides and printed
packs can be purchased to speed up the “getting started phase”. Spirollight
is an interior product you can be proud to say you crafted yourself. With the
instructions broken down into daily sessions each lasting approximately 3
hours, it makes for perfect family time, and can be realistically realised within
a week.
Rediscover the sense of satisfaction which comes from making!
We Launched this new product at the Museum of Science and Industry, Mini
Maker Faire in Manchester a few weekends ago. The MOSI MMF was a gathering of
enthusiastic makers, hacking, playing exploring and making in various
materials, using a plethora of new technologies and a wealth of ingenuity. At the show, there were plenty of activities for family members to get
involved with, soldering, stitching, spud guns and lots, lots more. For us, there was great
interest in the Spirollight and its construction, people were surprised and
humoured at the choice of materials and enthused by the idea that they could
create it themselves.
Our presentation aligned with our overall concept and
involved a stand made from reused and recyclable items. We attempted to explain
the concept of construction visually through use of colour to represent layers,
this carried through the instruction packs, the marking guides and even a 3D
exploded model which hung from the top of the stand.
MOSI MMF was a great opportunity to launch us towards a
new direction, encouraging consumers to reengage with creation and be rewarded
with economic savings in exchange for time spent making. Look out for more
ideas from us in the near future!
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