If you can’t stand waiting for the snow to fall, or maybe you are living in a part of the world where you simply don’t have this kind of cold weather, try the iSnow DIY snow.

You can create your own white snow by adding some water. This powder polymer is NONTOXIC material, you can reuse it when the snow is dry-up again.

You can get a set of five DIY iSnow for $4 from the Toys Brando webshop.

This kit allows you to build a robotic arm that can grasp anything up to 1.7 inches in width, lift objects weighing up to 100g, using its LED to provide you with a search light, and much more.

The wired control robot arm kit comes disassembled so it’s an ideal way to learn about basic robotic technology. If you know anyone that wants to come up with next great invention then this would be a perfect way to get them started. It has five motors all controlled via the hand set which allows you amazing, precession movements.

Here’s a video demonstration of the robot arm:

It has a maximum lift weight of 100g, opening gripper capable of grasping anything up to 1.7” in width, a 120 degree wrist pivot, a 300 degree elbow motion, a 180 degree base motion and a LED search light for night time operations.

Features:

• Build it yourself robot
• Learn basic robotics
• 5 motor control handset
• LED light for night time operations
• No soldering required
• Dimentions: 22.8cm x 16cm x 38cm
• Powered by 4 x D size batteries.

The Robot Arm can be pre-ordered now from the Red5 website for £30 (about $60 USD). The product is expected to arrive April 21, 2008.

This cool Star Wars kit allows you to build your very own custom lightsaber.

This Saber Kit is just what you need to build your custom saber. One main saber unit with a tri-color blade (flip a switch and choose red, green, or blue – each with corresponding and different sound effects) and a slew of parts let you assemble the saber you’ve dreamed of.

Here’s a video showing some of the things you can do with the kit:

All the parts are based on actual screen-seen components, so your saber will look like an awesome mashup from the movies. And the coolest part is, you don’t have to choose between the Jedi and the Sith – because you can switch back and forth with the flip of a . . . well, switch.

The Star Wars DIY Force FX Lightsaber Kit ($100) is available at ThinkGeek.

Remember that iPod Recycling Speaker by Bird-Electron from last month? Now there’s a way to make use of your iPhone box as well, by transforming it into a “revoluntionary analog photographic device”.

I tried to keep it simple and the only external items I used were tape, tinfoil (for the lens), a piece of foam, and a leftover screw and tightener from an old ikea desk. Oh, I also used a black washer for the cover of the lens but that was purely cosmetic. I used the cardboard lining that was on the inside of the original box to construct the film holders on the back. I even left the serial numbers intact, so if my roommate ever needed to return it he could (I don’t think I’ll be switching until the phones work on other networks).

For the lens I used a small piece of tinfoil (the thicker stuff from the hardware store) punctured by a tiny needle. For feeding the film through the box, I cut two long, thin rectangles about 2mm wide on the left and right bottom (interior) box. I had some trouble at first with the tension, as I had to thread the film through backwards so the emulsion of the film would be facing the right way. On the right side, I punched a hole through the top and put the screw through the piece of film and then through the film holder. Once I threaded the film, I twisted the screw into an empty 120 film holder until it was secure. Then I loaded the film, threaded it through and taped both sides of the film holders shut and closed the box.

For more photos and info about the iHole, visit scothampton.com.

(Macenstein via Gadgettastic)

My Paper Crane has made a set of cool, and slightly creepy, Star Wars dolls featuring Chewbacca, C-3PO, Clone Trooper and others.

So, I was looking online trying to get inspiration for something Star Wars related that I could make B. I came across this totally awesome Chewie Tissue Cozy. Very grand, but not exactly something a 4 year old would have much fun with..so I thought about it, then resized the mask and printed two out. I decided to make simply shaped plain dolls and use iron on paper (you’ll need the kind made for dark t-shirts) to create a set of dolls.

Check out the May the creepy force be with you entry for more info.

(Via Craftzine)

Here’s the ultimate solution if you’re still having trouble getting the tree up in time after having tried the Last Minute Christmas Tree.

This DIY device projects an image of a Christmas tree, up to five feet tall depending on how far away you place the unit, onto your wall.

It uses three LED’s, the green light stays on and forms the image of the tree. The Red and White LED’s flash on and off randomly like lights on a real tree would. The flashing is controlled my a Picaxe 08M micro. The unit is powered by a 9v battery regulated with a 78L05. The body of the unit is made from a plastic pipe the ends are cut out of thin plywood.

More about the Christmas Tree Projector at RareBeasts.

(Make via OhGizmo)

KMC Designs over at Etsy has taken the DIY duct tape wallet and made it into a cool, unique black and silver Space Invaders model.

This wallet is mostly black & silver. It would be great for men & women, boys & girls. In fact, anyone who needs to carry money/cards round with them! It is silver on the inside with black trim. The wallet measures just over 10cm x 10cm (thats 4 x 4 inches) when closed and 21cm x 10cm (8 ½ x 4 inches) when open. It has 3 card slots and 2 extra hidden slots for cards etc. My wallets also have a cash pocket which is held shut with a small piece of Velcro. The wallet has a long slot which runs the length of the wallet for notes/receipts etc.

There is only one Space Invaders Style Duct Tape Wallet ($16) in stock, so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on it.

Instructables member ebenupton decided to cheer his Las Vegas-loving wife up by by making an animated, brightly lit drinks coaster.

The coaster can be driven from any PC with a serial port and will display any 10 by 10-pixel video you wish.

Here’s a demonstration video of the coaster:

And another demo clip with a glass on top of the coaster:

Head over to Instructables for instructions on how to make one for yourself.

(Gadgettastic via Slash Gear)

Dream Country shows you how to make your own Rubik’s Cube cake.

(Via Craftzine)

One for the fans of DIY hardware. The Radio ACE Vintage Radio Kit ($100) lets you “build a nostalgic radio with a real vacuum tube and explore the airwaves as they did in the 1930’s”.

Assembling this radio is a fun project for radiomen, tinkers and gadget-buffs of all ages. Once your radio is up and running, hunting for radio transmissions becomes a fun challenge. While learning how the radio works, you will discover the fundamental parts of electrical circuits.

The radio is pre-wired for easy assembly. Users need only to plug in the various components, attach an antenna and a ground wire, and make tuning adjustments to get the radio working. The wooden base is beautifully finished with a polished cherry stain and golden labels for an authentic look. The vacuum tube glows with a soft orange glow when you are using it!

Instructions, experiments and additional configurations for the radio are described in the 32-page full-color experiment manual. A double triode allows for experiments with different circuits. Just switch the coils to tap into different wave bands: one coil for AM frequencies and one for shortwave.

Make a simple iPhone / iPod stand stand from a standard business card.
Read the how-to at Instructables: Simple business card iPhone / iPod stand.

(Via BrentEvans Geek Tonic)

Make your very own custom Star Wars Art Book Covers designed by Star Wars artists Katie Cook and Grant Gould. You will need: plain white paper bag or large white paper, black crayon/marker, scissors, pencil, tape, and a book.

Choose between nine different PDF format book cover printouts:

• Chewie
• Vader
• Luke
• Yoda x 2
• Jawa
• Darth Maul
• Anakin and Padmé
• Obi-Wan

Circuitry Snacks – Evil Mad Scientist Labs has published a tutorial on how to make yourself some tasty geek looking circuit board snacks.

(Via Craftzine)

instructables will teach you how to make your very own portable water resistant LED Picnic Blanket with hard center serving surface.

(Via Craftzine)