Science fiction is any idea that occurs in the head and doesn’t exist yet, but soon will, and will change everything for everybody, and nothing will ever be the same again. As soon as you have an idea that changes some small part of the world you are writing science fiction. It is always the art of the possible, never the impossible.
– Ray Bradbury
FROM ADAFRUIT
3D Printed Star Trek Communicator: Making is the final frontier.
These are the projects of Adafruit Industries. Its life long mission: to explore strange new projects, to seek out new 3D printed forms and new circuitry, to boldly make what no maker has made before.
Boldly go where no project has gone before with this real working Star Trek Communicator! (read more)
Sword & Wand Prop Effects with Circuit Playground: Add motion triggered sound and light effects to any prop with Circuit Playground
Want to upgrade your prop sword/battle axe/light saber/magic wand with motion reactive light animation and sound effects? You can do just that with this simple project! All you’ll need is a Circuit Playground, a battery pack, and zip ties to attach it all to any prop or toy. (read more)
Cosplay World by Brian Ashcraft and Luke Plunkett: Cosplay World is filled with striking images of costume play from around the world. This definitive look at the global phenomenon known as “cosplay” examines its evolution from the fringes of society to the spotlight of modern culture. (read more)
UFO Drone: In this project we’ll show you how we added NeoPixels to our drone to make it look like a it has a tractor beam.
This is really simple project just in time for Halloween or even lighting effects for a video.
All you’ll need to build this project is an Adafruit Trinket and a 24 NeoPixel ring. (read more)
FROM ELSEWHERE
The League of Regrettable Superheroes: Half-Baked Heroes from Comic Book History: This book by Jon Morris came out in June of 2015 but slid under our radar until very recently. We highly recommend it! I mean, what’s more relatable than super-weird superheroes who never rose through the ranks to stardom, unlike their popular, pop-culture contemporaries?
From Amazon:
You know about Batman, Superman, and Spiderman, but have you heard of Doll Man, Doctor Hormone, or Spider Queen? In The League of Regrettable Superheroes, you’ll meet one hundred of the strangest superheroes ever to see print, complete with backstories, vintage art, and colorful commentary. So prepare yourself for such not-ready-for-prime-time heroes as Bee Man (Batman, but with bees), the Clown (circus-themed crimebuster), the Eye (a giant, floating eyeball; just accept it), and many other oddballs and oddities. Drawing on the entire history of the medium, The League of Regrettable Superheroes will appeal to die-hard comics fans, casual comics readers, and anyone who enjoys peering into the stranger corners of pop culture. (read more)
ICE Portable Wireless Floating Bluetooth Speaker: Admittedly, we haven’t tried this out. But, come on!! Just look at it! A floating speaker? Worth it for the party trick alone.
From Amazon:
The 7 Arc Star Levitating Bluetooth Speaker is a one-of-a-kind product that fuses design with technology, bringing you the best of both the worlds with this leap in the genre of Bluetooth Speakers. With a galactic theme and amazing sound-quality, the Arc Star stands out from the crowd of regular Bluetooth speakers, making heads turn with awe and appreciation. (read more)
Doctor Who Medium Slouch Backpack: Creating this gift guide had me traveling and traversing internet- scapes that I’d long forgotten about. It sent me through territory both new yet strangely familiar, until I realized that I had arrived in a realm not visited since my youth, the Universe of Hot Topic. It basically felt like an episode of Dr. Who. Once I got over the fact that Hot Topic had a website, I happened upon this super charming (and well reviewed!) TARDIS backpack.
From Hot Topic:
It’s bigger on the inside. But get this Doctor Who slouch backpack and find out for yourself! It’s a blue backpack and slouchy and has a classic Doctor Who TARDIS design. Oh, it also has a snap button and drawstring closure so you can make sure your bow ties, fezzes, scarves and all that other stuff you Whovians tote around stay secure. (Sorry, time travel capabilities not included with TARDIS backpack purchase.) (read more)
We’re excited for the Holiday Season here at Adafruit, and we can’t wait to share that excitement with you! Stay tuned into the blog where you will find new, handpicked gift guides five days a week from November 7 through December 23rd, 2016 alongside holiday themed tutorials and builds!
Free Deals
Adafruit offers exciting deals and free items when you shop with us.
As of November 21st, 2016 1:00 PM ET we are currently offering:
ONE FREE LIMITED EDITION ENAMEL PIN for orders $99 or more. Some restrictions apply. There are currently three unique pins available as free items. While we cannot control which pin you’ll receive with your order, if you order using your Adafruit account we’ll send you a pin you haven’t gotten yet. Once you collect them all, we might have to send you repeats. Each pin is limited edition – so once we’ve given them all away, we won’t have any more. Act fast to collect them all!
ONE FREE ADAFRUIT FEATHER 32U4 BASIC PRO for orders $150 or more. Some restrictions apply and while supplies last!
FREE UPS ground (Continental USA) for orders $200 or more. Some restrictions apply.
Adafruit Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2016
Here are your 2016 shipping deadlines for ordering from Adafruit. Please review our shipping section if you have specific questions on how and where we ship worldwide for this holiday season.
The Adafruit Shipping Department works hard to get your orders out as quickly as we can, but once they’re in the hands of our carriers they’re out of our control.
Carriers have been struggling to keep up with the sharp rise in online orders. UPS, FedEX, and USPS all experienced delivery delays over the last few years.
So all the Adafruit Shippers say: Please be sure you get your gifts early! Order as soon as you can! Once you place your order we’ll ship like the wind!
Please note: We do not offer Saturday or Sunday service for UPS or USPS.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, Christmas, no UPS or USPS pickup or delivery service.
Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, no UPS or USPS pickup or delivery service.
Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, no UPS or USPS pickup or delivery service.
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2016, New Year’s Day, no UPS or USPS pickup or delivery service
Gift Certificates are always available at any time.
When in doubt contact us!
Domestic Orders
UPS ground: Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 9, 2016 – There is no guarantee that UPS Ground packages will arrive by December 23.
UPS 3-day: Place orders by Thursday 11am ET – December 15, 2016 – Arrive by 12/23/2016.
UPS 2-day: Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 16, 2016 – Arrive by 12/23/2016.
UPS overnight: Place orders by Monday 11am ET – December 19, 2016 – Arrive by 12/23/2016.
United States Postal Service, First Class and Priority: Place orders by Friday– December 9, 2016 – Arrive by 12/23/2016 or sooner.
International Orders
USPS First class mail international: Place orders by Friday – November 18, 2016. Can take up to 30 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/23/2016 or sooner, but not a trackable service and cannot be guaranteed to arrive by 12/23/2016.
USPS Express mail international: Place orders by Friday – December 2, 2016. Can take up to 15 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/23/2016 or sooner.
UPS WORLDWIDE EXPRESS, UPS WORLDWIDE EXPEDITED and UPS EXPRESS SAVER (UPS International orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 9, 2016 – There is no guarantee that international packages will arrive by December 23 2016.