I starting learning about programming and electronics in April 2017. Since then I've been inspired by wearable technology. My interest in wearable fashion technology and background in jewellery making has encouraged me to make wearable fashion pieces and a possible line of electronic jewellery I hope to launch in 2018.

This Maker Gummi Bear is one of the few pieces that I've worked on and am happy to say have made progress in the build and minimising the electronic components to fit snugly within and behind the bear.

This Gummi Bear is made of clear resin and contains mini metal gears and multicoloured LEDs. The initial build had a mini platform with a switch that controlled the LEDs to flicker in several modes and was powered by three LR41/AG1 coin cell batteries. I used AG1 button cell batteries because at the time they were one of the smallest batteries and 3 in a row fitted really well behind the bear.

My first prototype I held the 3 AG1 batteries together using hot melt glue (refer to part 1 video in extra files). I simply did this to test the LEDs and see how it looks when in working order. 

I wanted to create a piece of jewellery that was reusable, therefore wanted to give ease of access to change the batteries when needed.

I searched through the internet for a small battery holder for 3 AG1 batteries but was unable to find any and as I had no experience with 3D printing and demand for the Maker Gummi Bears were high, I decided to invent my own battery holders. This was done by using hard plastic chips that I had lying around, and using resin to hold them together as resin is a very hard and strong material (part 2 video in extra files).

I was happy with what I have achieved but felt that the bears could be a lot less clunky. I was really happy to come across Kitronik's miniature sewable battery holders that fit perfectly behind the bear. Removing the switch, controller and using only 3mm embedded LEDs made the bear look "manufactured". I was ecstatic!! :D

The final build consists of multicoloured LEDs and is powered by a single CR1220 coin cell battery (final video in extra files). Yay!