Last Saturday, we all gathered around and listened intently to Tom Wujec, Autodesk Fellow and creative engieer, about how to visualize our ideas and synthesize innovation. It was amazing! After the workshop, a few of us talked to Tom about his feelings on technology and innovation. The result was an hour long conversation and insight to what we need to do to empower women to get passionate about technology. Watch, listen, and learn:

I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Darmour of Electricfoxy.com at SXSW and the Smart Fabrics Conference this year. She is the beauty and brains behind electricfoxy.com, a site that investigates the aesthetics and influence of garments that have electronics built directly into them.

Shannon of PolyMath Design Lab  is a 30-year old designer in Oregon and a follower if I Heart Switch. I found her through her comments on this blog and was just facinated by what I found. Not only is she a talented designer in jewelry and unique products, Shannon has been playing around with her first electronic skirt (as you see above). I decided we must interview Shannon and let everyone on Switch see what an amazing project can be done by a first time electronic fashion crafter. The interview, video of the skirt, and more images are after the Break.

Jana Thomson from Geek Austin gets the dirt on Alison and her Core Conversation at SXSW, " Duh...It's Like Tech for Girls" 

Both Syuzie Pakhchyan of Fashion Technology and Alison will be running this core converstaion at SXSW. Please join them on Monday, March 15 at 11:00 AM. http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/487

Below is an excerpt from the interview, you can read more on GeekAustin.com at http://geekaustin.org/2010/02/24/sxsw-panelist-alison-lewis

"Jana: Technology is seen as a man's world, more than even business these days. One of the questions on the SXSW website for your panel was' why does getting girls involved in technology matter to our quality of life?' In my experience, seemed that even very competent and intelligent and otherwise confident women seem to be intimidated by the use of technology. Do you think that by discussing technology and encouraging the use of it in domains where many women are more comfortable and confident that it will encourage women to become more confident in their understanding and usage of computers and mobile phones?

Alison: Not to be brash, but I don't care much if they learn to use their mobile phones.

I had a chance to talk to Paige from MommyCast.com about the innovative projects from SwitchCraft and iHeartSwitch. You can watch our chat in the video below. (Hint: Don't miss bloopers at the end!)

Monday, October 29th. I had a chance to talk with the super fab Clueless Crafter, Lydia, about my home and craft. You'll find out a bit more about my grandmother and how I deal with all those LED projects and lights in my home.

TheClulessCrafter.com takes a broad look at craft in our everyday lives. Lydia's posts come from her own investigations into craft as somewhat "clueless" crafter herself who wants to know more about the benefits, processes, and the community of crafting. Over the past year the blog has expanded into helping those who want to make craft blogging their business and is a great resource for those who may feel a bit clueless themselves. 

Don Polec from the Philly local ABC news team stopped by my house last Friday to talk about Switch Craft. They have posted the video online, go check it out here!

I am finally back from SXSW, and, as part of my trip to Austin, I met up with Marques Harper of the Austin American Statesman about the making of Switch Craft.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and what better way to say "I Love You" than to give your sweetie a beating heart pillow! I took time to visit Banana Design Lab to talk with Yury Gitman, the creator of My Beating Heart and found out its made of pure love.

I met Syuzi Pakchyan at the 2006 Maker Faire in San Francisco. At that at time, Syuzi had just finished her thesis titled "SparkLab" where she was exploring the intersection between culture, technology and craft. She was doing a workshop where crafters made light up bracelets with conductive thread and snaps. Of course, we hit it off right away and we had a wonderful interview which never made it to Switch because of a microphone malfunction.