Introduction: How to Make Your Own Groupon Interlocator Beacon

Have you ever peered around a restaurant, wondering if there were fellow Grouponers in attendance? Stop wondering and start forming lifelong friendships with the Groupon Interlocator Beacon!

Wear the G.I.B. on your head whenever you go Grouponing (def: "the act of redeeming a Groupon"). By tradition, if you spot another Grouponer, the two of you must: stop what you're doing; touch beacons; make uninterrupted eye contact for 3 minutes; silently exchange social security numbers; and finally, discuss sports. What happens after that is up to you.

Unfortunately, ordering your G.I.B. online can take forever, and stores everywhere are out of stock. This instructable will show you how you can make your own standard issue G.I.B. unit, using common household items.

Remember, there is a different Groupon Interlocator Beacon for every personality! Don't allow these instructions to constrain your creativity. When it comes to G.I.B.s, your imagination is the limit. What's on your G.I.B.? Sparkly sequin? A paper mache volcano? Wire-mounted hard boiled eggs? Barbie legs? Let's get started and find out.

Step 1: Gather Materials for Your Beacon

First, select and print your beacon design. Attached are a couple different simple black and white options to choose from, but feel free to create your own.

You will also need: tape or glue; scissors; some cardboard; a few pipe cleaners; and a head band or elastic band large enough to fit around your head. A shirt sleeve or old underwear elastic works wonderfully.

Other optional supplies include markers: stickers; a Bedazzler; aluminum foil; and any thing else for adding ornamentation to your Beacon.

Step 2: Prepare Your Charm

Settled on a Groupon logo design? Cut it out and glue/tape it to cardboard or card stock. This constitutes the beacon's "charm."

At this point, feel free to color, bedazzle, apply stickers, or wrap your charm in aluminum foil.

Step 3: Attach Charm to Pipecleaner

Wrap a few pipe cleaners together (4 should do it), so that they are about 15 inches long. This will make the pipe cleaners the correct length and strong enough to support your charm. If you plan on using your Groupon Interlocator Beacon outdoors or in a particularly windy place (like a ping pong hall) 6 to 8 pipe cleaners are recommended. A good rule of thumb is 2 pipe cleaners for every 1/8th of a knot.

Tape/glue the end of the pipe cleaners to the back of your charm, so the end of the pipe cleaners are attached to the bottom of the design. Alternatively, punch a hole in your charm, and simply insert the pipe cleaners through the hole.

Step 4: Attach Pipecleaner to Headband

There are two popular methods for mounting your charm to the headband.

The Anglerfish

Insert the pipe cleaner into the read of the headband, and allow it to dangle over head. The charm should be suspended above your forehead.

The Home Boy

Poke a small hole in the headband above the ear. Insert the pipe cleaners in the hole.

Step 5: Proudly Wear Your Groupon Interlocator Beacon!

That's it! Wear your Groupon Interlocator Beacon when your redeeming a Groupon, out with friends, or just having a relaxing evening at home.

Make sure you send us a picture of your beacon for a chance to win $100!