• 📍 Fingal MakerSpace
• 🗓️ Tue August 20, 2024
• https://www.meetup.com/pyladiesdublin/events/301056300

A huge thank you to Kate who looks after Fingal MakerSpace for hosting our PyLadies meetup this month.

Big thank you to Sarah, Diana and Ben from Pytch (bridging Scratch to Python) who demo'd what Pytch app as well as the a physical arcade to show its integration with electronics! Great to see folks interacting with the code and experimenting with it.

And of course, a huge big thank you to everyone to dropped in to see what the space is about, what are we doing there, and asking all the questions about my silly CircuitPython projects.

It was CircuitPython Day last Friday. 😊

I excitedly counted down to this event as I wanted to meet other Makers and folks curious about electronics also. Plus the makerspace is a fantastic space jam packed with equipment like 3D printers (including a resin one), a lasercutter, arts corner where you can find WIP and examples of jesmonite coaster castings. They also run electronics workshops, clothing repairs and more... and yes for adults as well as kids.

Following them on Eventbrite to get updated on upcoming events and see what's on currently, you better be quick as places go fast!

Fingal Makerspace Events - 25 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

Fingal Makerspace is a community creative and education space located in Blanchardstown Library, Dublin 15. We are focused on maker-centered learning amongst our diverse population in Fingal County and surrounding areas.Fingal Makerspace is delivered byMake Create Innovateand proudly funded by Fingal County Council and Creative Ireland.

eventbrite.ie

And great to see Allyn from Python / PyCon Ireland, don't forget that former runs monthly meetups on 2nd Wed each month and tix are on sale for PyCon Ireland for their Nov 16-17 conference.
It's pretty cool hearing about his implementation of home assistant for the lighting setup all over his home

...like his kids can shake a device and it goes into party mode in their bedroom!

Kate (our host) along with Jeffrey Roe are from TOG Hackerspace on Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot. A space where you can become a member to access equipment like for woodworking, metalworking as well running many regular events like electronics, makers and crafting nights. They have an Open Social where you can check out their space, ask all the questions on what they do, check out the projects and eat some yummy freshly made pizza.

Jeffrey also is on the Dublin Maker team which takes places on Aug 31 - Sep 1, free maker festival for all ages at Richmond Barracks (Inchicore), but registration is required, see following for more information (TOG will be there as well): https://dublinmaker.ie/

Projects I brought:

• Digital sign I created for use as an "On Air" sign, but adapted for various events (or my livestream background). Here's the devlog about it:
  

  Using Pimoroni Ubercorn and Pi Zero for my "On Air" Sign

  whykay 👩🏻‍💻🐈🏳️‍🌈 (she/her) ・ Jul 28 '20

  #raspberrypi #maker #pimoroni
• The PyBadge which I did a small update for the meetup
  

  Playing with my PyBadge

  whykay 👩🏻‍💻🐈🏳️‍🌈 (she/her) ・ Jun 23 '20

  #python #pybadge #circuitpython #diversityintech
• My port of AdafruitxSteven Universe Collab with Circuit Playground Express. I don't have a write up, but here's my source code:

  whykay / garnet-fusion-cpx

  A port of Adafruit Cartoon Network MakeCode: Garnet's Palm Gems from Steven Universe to Circuit Python for this CPX project

  Cartoon Network: Garnet's Palm Gems from Steven Universe - Port from MakeCode to CircuitPython

  A port of Adafruit Cartoon Network MakeCode: Garnet's Palm Gems from Steven Universe to Circuit Python for this CPX project. Originally a small project as part of Dublin Raspberry Pi Jam a few years ago.

  Project

  Learn how to create Garnet's fusion from Ruby and Sapphire using Circuit Playground Express This is a solo Circuit Playground Express gem that transforms colors.

  What you will need

  • Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Circuit Playground Bluefruit
  • USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

  This project uses CircuitPython, you will need to update your Circuit Playground Express Bootloader

  And then you need to install the latest version of CircuitPython.

  You will need an editor, recommend to download and install Mu Editor.

  When you open the Mu Editor, it will pick up your Circuit Playground Express, and you can…

  View on GitHub
  You can also view the mini-zine about the project (you can also download the PDF and make your own physical mini-zine with 1 piece of paper: https://whykay.itch.io/cartoon-network-garnets-palm-gems-from-steven-universe-port-from-makecode-to-c
• Circuit Playground Express with PyTurtle, you can find more information via the official docs: https://learn.adafruit.com/tft-gizmo-turtle/overview
• Pew Pew - I soldered the components sent by creator, Radomir Dopieralski; I wanted to run MicroPython, electronic and game-making workshop. You can find all info about Pew Pew and Radomir's projects via https://ep2022.europython.eu/session/pew-pew-workshop/

Projects I mentioned but didn't bring:

• Print your own adventure game
  

  My Maker Project - Print your own adventure game

  whykay 👩🏻‍💻🐈🏳️‍🌈 (she/her) ・ Jun 13 '20

  #maker #adafruit #circuitpython #python
  My future plan was to port from Raspberry Pi to Pico Pico 2 (ahem, it's been a few years 😅) and re-write new game play as well 3D print a new container for it, making it all smaller and self-contained.
• Countdown time washing hands with Circuit Playground Express: https://dublinmaker.ie/countdown-timer-with-circuit-playground-express-and-circuitpython/
• An unfinished project: Generating art with Processing with data from Circuit Playground Express https://dev.to/whykay/generative-art-with-processing-and-working-with-circuit-playground-express-hli

Other things to note which I didn't mention

General diversity in tech events around Ireland and Northern Ireland can be found at https://diversityintech.fyi/events/

Announcements

📢 Next PyLadies Dublin

• 🗓️ Tue Sep 17, 18:30 - 20:30
• 📍 Pinterest EMEA Offices, Dame Street
• ℹ️ 🎟️ https://www.meetup.com/pyladiesdublin/events/302867585/

📢 PyLadiesCon 2024 CFP (Online)

• 🗓️ Conference Dates: Fri Dec 6 - Sun Dec 8
• 🎤 CFP: https://pretalx.com/pyladiescon-2024/cfp
• 🫵 Volunteering: https://conference.pyladies.com/volunteer
• ℹ️ https://conference.pyladies.com

References

• Adafruit: https://learn.adafruit.com/
• CicruitPython: https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/overview
• Circuit Playground Express: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express/overview
• Pimoroni Pico Plus 2: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pimoroni-pico-plus-2?
• Tiny 2350: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/tiny-2350
• PyBadge: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200
• Limor Fried (aka Lady Ada): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limor_Fried

🫶 Again, thank you to all who came along and made it a wonderful meetup of mix of Pythonistas, Makers, those who were curious, new and familiar faces.

💬 We can continue our chats on our discord server 👇👇👇:

PyLadies Dublin

🌈PyLadies Dublin is part of the global PyLadies initiative. We run regular meetups, and everyone is welcome to join us. | 41 members

discord.com

Till the next PyLadies Meetup in September.

P.S.: We are working with Pytch to run a workshop at the end of October, so keep an eye on meetup.