Introduction: Lady GaGa 'Video' Glasses

About: I'm a digital artist/crafter/maker who likes electronics and sewing. I used to run the blog Soft Circuit Saturdays, which is now part of my site GellaCraft - dedicated to techy crafts, costuming, and art.
I made these quick and easy glasses for my Lady GaGa Halloween costume. They use 2 digital picture frame keychains on a slideshow setting to replicate the effect seen in her performances (here is a video of her glasses).

Note:
* You cannot see through the glasses, so I don't recommend walking around with them on.
* The individual keychains are not synced. I just practiced pressing the 'ON' buttons simultaneously.


DIY Lady GaGa Video Glasses from Angela M. Sheehan on Vimeo.


Step 1: Materials

You will need:

* Sunglasses (that you don't mind destroying)

* 2 digital picture frame keychains -
They retail for around $20 but I found some on ebay for around $6 each. I used a 1.5" screen because it was a good size to attach to my glasses.
* Hot glue gun & glue

* Pliers (to remove the keychain from the picture frames)

* Paint (to cover the glue and blend the picture frames in with the glasses better)

* A computer (to download the images to the picture frames)

Step 2: Prep Glasses and Digital Picture Frames

Pop out the lenses on your glasses. This will make it easier to attach your digital picture frames.

I had to crack the lenses with a hammer in order to remove them because they did not pop out easily. If you need to crack the lenses please be careful and wear gloves and safety glasses.

Use pliers to remove the keychain clasps from your digital picture frames. There is probably a metal ring that you can unbend where it attaches to the plastic.

Step 3: Load Images & Test

Before you do any gluing, load your images onto your digital picture frames and test them out. They should come with a manual to tell you how to do this. Also set the slideshow time to the fastest setting to make it more 'video'-like. These particular models only have options for 5 second, 10 second, or 30 seconds.

While you are at it, charge up the devices (mine came with a USB cord for loading/charging).

I had to find a Windows machine because the brand I had was not compatible with Macs.


I attached some images you can use. The animation in her video is just the words "Pop music will never be low brow".

Note:

Because the picture frames I used were thinner on one side, I installed one upside down so they would mirror each other (see picture). I had to upload the images for that frame upside down so they would display correctly. You can flip them in any image editing software before loading.



Step 4: Attach to Glasses

Using a hot glue gun, attach the digital picture frames to your glasses. I worked my way around the frames a few times, layering up the glue to make a sturdy connection.

Be sure to leave room between the frames to plug them in if needed (as you can see from the pictures the USB connection is right across the bridge of the glasses, that's not a lot of space to work with).

If you want, use some paint to cover the hot glue and make the digital frames blend in with your glasses.

And that's it. Try them out and impress your friends!


Halloween Contest

Third Prize in the
Halloween Contest