Whether for fashion, emergency lighting, or just to make a statement, these lighted shoe clips make for a unique footwear accessory. [Becky Stern], who we’ve seen before hacking automatic knitting machines, tackles this quick lighted project.
The electronics are simple, two LEDs connected in parallel to a button battery by some conductive thread. The circuit is the same as an LED throwie, but she’s using a sewable battery holder. The ruffle is made by cutting out and folding several circles of fabric. We’re not too used to working with this building material and were glad to hear her tip on fusing the cut edges with a lighter. She’s also got a good tip about bending one LED lead in a square shape and the other in a round shape to keep track of the polarity. After sewing everything together and completing the circuit with the conductive thread [Becky] adds a paper clamp making this easy to use with any shoe. In fact, the guy’s don’t have to miss out on the fun as this could easily double as a boutineer.
Don’t miss [Becky’s] complete walk through video embedded after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsaZ8_uMt-Y&w=470]
I am sorry, but Al Bundy did it first with his “shoe lights.” in 1988/1989
Becky Stern is pretty awesome. ‘Nuff said.
HOW COULD YOU RUIN THE PUNCH LINE TO THE JOKE IN YOUR OWN ARTICLE TITLE?
Wow, she is really light on her feet!
A walk through for lighted shoes!
Nice job, something any novice fashion hacker can aspire to and achieve!
When i saw some shoes with lights on the pic the first thought I had: Jeri is out to a party again. But then I read the text, and realized that not only Jeri Elsworth likes mixing electronics&clothing. Great work anyway!
“Lighted shoe ruffles — he’ll never step on your toes again”
I wouldn’t count on it.
If he’s looking at your feet while dancing, he’s more likely to step on them.
…Or maybe it’s because it is easier to aim that way.
Ohh, fun!
Must make one as a hair-scrunchie to go with the shoes . . .
lets be honest, the idea is old, and implementation well there is no implementation here
Really cool, no matter that the idea is old.
I really love such type of posts, bacause I can send link on it to my female friends. :-) And – who knows? – maybe someone of them will be the next author here. :-)