10-minute electronic leather band

We've been inundated with requests for quick ways of incorporating conductive thread, lights, and batteries in new projects and this is what we came up with.

Here, we show how to create your own electronic leather band in under 10 minutes. This band can record and playback new patterns of flashing light. Check out the movie:
http://www.aniomagic.com/examples/example7/example7.mov

Disclaimer: we make and sell some of the components on Aniomagic's website http:///www.aniomagic.com . The mimeolight is inspired by Alex Weber's Programmable LED Instructables project - http://www.instructables.com/id/Programmable-LED - and by research at the Craft Technology Lab - http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg

Step 1: Ingredients (1st minute)

You'll need:
- one mimeolight
- some conductive thread
- one 3-volt battery
- one leather strip
- one paper clip
- one plastic flower
- one needle (and thimble)
- 10 minutes

The mimeolight, conductive thread, and battery you can get from http://www.aniomagic.com

Comments

[berky93]

This is pretty cool. As for a better clasp, try using standard metal button-snap clasps (found on most leather bracelets) and simply have the battery mounted on the side of the band. Run the wires to the clasp and the conductive metal will complete the circuit when it is closed.

[Blardo]

It'd be interesting to integrate a charge transfer touch sensor: (http://www.instructables.com/id/Curved-Circuit-Board-Art-Make-a-Touchless-Touch-S/ ) so that it's only on when worn.

[milliethestungun]

where can I buy a mimeolight?

[dunnos]

nice, i subscribed!

[Birdi3]

great Instructable, very creative :)

[zoltzerino]

Ditto. Plus this could be modded to be a shocker.

[Da_Fudge]

Cool!!!

[aniomagic]

Glad you like it. I wonder if someone will come up with a better clasp though...

[Da_Fudge]

Yeah that could be a problem...

[AnaLou]

You could try using conductive velcro. I got some at Lessemf. I've been using it on a number of projects and it works great!

[mycroftxxx]

Any chance of an instructable that explains what the mimeolight component is?

[frollard]

a thin neodymium magnet and peice of stainless steel attached on either side of the clasp would make a great connection - conductive too :)

[aniomagic]

That sounds like a great idea! I'm going to try that. The batteries are also magnetic, but I wonder if it would be strong enough to withstand vigorous wrist motion.

[frollard]

you have to be careful talking about 'vigorous wrist motion' ;) a strong magnet on steel or another magnet would be quite strong, especially if the clasp is keyed so each side engages to provide lateral strength - look at a magnetic purse catch to see what I mean.

[bigcat]

Ummm, how did you attach the flower?

[aniomagic]

With just a touch of elmer's glue. The milky white glue diffuses the LED light pretty nicely. It probably won't be robust for daily wear, but it is what I found within 10 minutes.