Introduction: How to Enter the Instructables and ReadyMade Mash-Up Contest
Instructables and ReadyMade magazine challenge you to take everyday items and reinvent them as something new for our Mash-Up Contest!
What's a Mash-up?
Take two seemingly-unrelated things or ideas, and combine them in a new and interesting way. Refashion household staples with sustainable materials, customize your gear in creative ways, or breathe new life into tired conventional design using salvaged goods.
Whether you go for something classic, quirky, or just plain useful, we'll consider all contenders. It doesn't have to be complicated- we're looking for neat, well-documented, creative projects that make us stop and say, "Wow, cool!"
Inspiration
There are loads of great Mash-Up examples, so here are just a few to get you started thinking:
Remote Control Drawer Pulls, Ballpoint Cutlery, a Reel-to-reel Coffee Table, an Aquarium Coffee Table, Make a Skirt from Neckties, and an Altoids clock.
For more inspiration, The ReadyMade Project Archive now gives you full (and free!) access to all the great projects from the magazine's back issues!
Prizes
Grand PrizeOne (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a Coby Personal Media Player 4.3" widescreen with video recording and SD card slot, a $250 Michael's Gift Card, and an Instructables robot t-shirt.
First Prize
Two (2) First Prize winners will each receive a sewing machine (a Janome HeartTruth sewing machine or a Singer sewing machine) and an Instructables robot t-shirt.
Second Prize
Ten (10) Second Prize winners will each receive a VPX Black & Decker tool set and an Instructables robot t-shirt.
How to Enter
1. Publish your Instructable and add it to the Mash-Up Contest group from October 8, 2007 till 11:59pm PST on November 25, 2007
2. Document your project thoroughly! Use great text, photos, and videos as necessary to make sure other people could replicate your Instructable (see Official Rules)
3. Tell us what you did, why you did it, and how it works
Judging
All contest entries will be judged on the following:
a) Creativity
b) Completeness, clarity, and quality of the Instructable, meaning
- clear, concise text description including a properly summarized introduction
- sufficient photos and text for all important steps, video if necessary
- clear photographs (2+ megapixel preferred), using macro mode for close up shots
- use of photo-notes where appropriate
- list of parts and tools required (if appropriate)
On or about 27 November 2007, judges from ReadyMade and Instructables will evaluate the entries using the above criteria.
Helpful Links:
How to create a great Instructable
How to add an Instructable to a group
How to embed video into Instructables
Explore popular Instructables
Take a tour of Instructables
Additional Information
You must be 18 or older to enter, and a legal resident of the U.S. or District of Columbia.
You may submit as many different Instructables as you like; however each entry will be judged individually and you may only win one prize in the Mash-Up Contest.
Step 1: Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
Contest begins October 8, 2007 and ends November 25, 2007. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m., PT., on November 25, 2007.
ENTRY: Submit the Instructable at www.instructables.com. Tell us what you did, how you did it and how it works. Also include with your entry digital photos and/or videos to make sure the entry can be duplicated. Also include a list of parts and tools required (if appropriate) and approximate total cost of creating your entry. The pictures, text, videos, and other documentation in your Instructable shall be collectively referred to as the "Entry Materials".
Multiple entries from one person are allowed. Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to reject, disqualify, modify, edit, and revise any entries, subjects, or related materials that are nude, obscene, defamatory, profane, offensive, lewd, pornographic, violent, false, misleading, deceptive, or otherwise inconsistent with its editorial standards, audience expectations, or reputational interests or that Sponsors believe may violate any applicable law or regulation or the rights of any third party. Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to verify any element of any entry or related materials and to disqualify any entrant whose participation may subject the contest, Sponsors, or Sponsors' advertisers, clients, or customers to controversy, negative publicity, scorn, or ridicule.
ELIGIBILITY: Legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter, except employees of Sponsors, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion and/or their respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and members of their immediate families or persons residing at the same address.
WINNER SELECTION: On or about November 27, 2007, a qualified panel of judges will judge eligible entries equally according to the following criteria: (a) creativity; (b) completeness, clarity, and quality of Entry Materials; and (c) technical merit.
Thirteen (13) winners will be selected. In the event of a tie, the winning entry will be the entry among the tied entries with the higher/highest score in the criterion of creativity. Potential winners will be notified by phone and/or mail on or about December 3, and the prizes delivered on or about December 17, 2007. Sponsors reserve the right to request additional information from entrants. Sponsors reserve the right to select fewer than thirteen winners if, in their sole discretion, a sufficient number of eligible and qualified entries is not received. Decisions of judges are final and binding in all respects.
PRIZING: One (1) grand-prize winner will receive one $250 Michael's gift certificate, one Coby Media Player 4.32 widescreen with video recording and SD card slot, and one Instructables t-shirt, approximate retail value ("ARV) $540. Two (2) first-prize winners will each receive one sewing machine (a Singer sewing machine or a Janone HeartTruth Sewing Machine) and an Instructables t-shirt, ARV $519 or $419 respectively. Ten (10) second-prize winners will each receive a VPX Black & Decker tool set, ARV $364. One prize per household. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize (or portions thereof) of equal or greater value if prize (or portions thereof) cannot be awarded as described. Sponsors will determine all elements of prizing in its sole discretion. Prizes may not be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash, except at the sole discretion of Sponsors. Prize is awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee express or implied. Sponsors disclaim all and any liability for the actual provision, quality or nature of any third party product or service accepted by the winners. The awarding of any prize is contingent upon full compliance with these Official Rules. Entrants agree to be bound by Official Rules and agree that if any winner fails to provide proof of identity, refuses to provide required affidavit, is found to have violated the Official Rules or otherwise does not meet eligibility criteria, prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner in a random drawing. Entrants understand that Sponsors are not liable for injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising from participation in this promotion and acceptance, possession and use of prize. Sponsors are not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the contest or in the announcement of the prizes. Decisions of Sponsors are final and binding in all respects.
PRIVACY: Entries are subject to the privacy policy at www.instructables.com.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Except where prohibited, by participating Contest entrants agree that: all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant(s) and Sponsors and their agents shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law of any jurisdiction. Entrant agrees that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to this Contest, or awarding of the prizes, shall be filed only in the state or federal courts located in the State of New York and entrant hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action. Except where prohibited, by participating in this Contest, entrant agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or awarding of the prizes, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in this Contest but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any participant be permitted to obtain awards for and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above may not apply to you.
OTHER: Sponsors assume no responsibility for entries they are unable to process due to network, hardware or other technical failures; or any other reason, or incomplete, damaged, misdirected, or lost entries. Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of the rules. Sponsors further reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this promotion if not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention or force majeure. In the event of cancellation, Sponsors reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received prior to date of cancellation. The use of automated entry systems or any other conduct that impedes the integrity of the contest is prohibited. In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the holder of an established e-mail account associated with the entry.
GENERAL: Except where prohibited by law: (i) entry constitutes permission to use winners' entries, name, hometown, voice, likeness, photographs and any statements regarding this contest for editorial, public relations, promotional and advertising purposes on behalf of Sponsors without compensation; (ii) potential winners may be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability Release and Publicity Release within ten (10) days of notification or the entry with the next highest score may become an alternate winner. If winner notification is returned as undeliverable, the entry with the next highest score may become an alternate winner. By participating and winning a prize, winners release Sponsors, and their parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and agencies and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability with respect to the prize won and participation in the contest Subject to all U. S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited. Taxes on prizes are sole responsibility of winners. For winners' names, available after 12/31/07, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Winners' List/Mash-up Contest, 817 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94710. VT residents may omit return postage.
Sponsors: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa; and Instructables, Inc.,
2175 Monarch St., Alameda, California
