Monday, December 7, 2009

New site design

Well, after about 1 month, the new site redesign is finally finished....wheeew (sigh of relief) . I chose to do this to make an easier to navigate site, while trying to bring you what you want to see in less clicks.

There will still be some site changes throughout the next week or so, including a new review system for all the products I sell. You will be able to see what others are saying about an item before you decide to make the purchase.

If you have any feedback for me on the design, I would love to here it.

Thanks,
Brandon

Friday, November 27, 2009

Circus Foundations



New Circus Foundations classes with The Spinsterz. I am offering up the skills I have to the community. Offering workshops and classes in Poi, Hooping, Stilting, Acro-balance an partner yoga and more. Check out the flyer for all the info.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Join the Circus!

Have you always wanted to run away with the circus?

Well, now is your chance!
Spark Volunteer circus needs you!

spark photo
SPARK! is a group of 20 spectacular international volunteer circus performers who have come together for the last five years to bring joy and play to  groups of disadvantaged children in refugee camps, migrant schools, hospitals and orphanages along the Thai Burmese border. When we visit schools, part of our group is composed of Thai and ethnic Burmese hill tribe teachers, who share their experiences with their own communities to help create positive change. We reach over 4,000 children each year as we go into the local communities, refugee camps and hidden migrant schools  to perform a circus-style fire show, teach playshops and offer donations of toys, art supplies,  and tools.

In addition to all the FUN that the children have learning circus skills, this project is designed to develop their creativity, physical fitness, communication skills, teamwork, confidence and cultural awareness. Play is a fundamental part of childrenʼs development and we bring a big spark of joy, love, amusement and entertainment into these children's lives ,and  the lives of those who work in the camps and orphanages. Every year, we travel to them to lighten their days and to bring some magic.

SPARK! is completely volunteer based, and relies entirely on your generous donations and community support . Your contribution  will help provide the spark of life for these children in Thailand!  You can chose to help by a donation of money that will go towards the kits of creative supplies to be donated at each school and orphanage, or perhaps you may chose to specifically sponsor a performer for their travel/ accomodation during the project. Every dollar helps! We also welcome  donations of goods for the children; clothes, blankets, socks shoes, book, art supplies of all types, if they can be shipped to our  address in Thailand. Also of great use are donations of costumes and circus props for use in our performances. These are passed on to the children after the seasons tour. They love the red clown noses!

As a donor company, your generousity  will be acknowledged in all our media, and both individual donors and companies will receive photos and email updates from our performers  as the project is happening. So that you will know exactly how your donation helped, we will offer a summary update including photos, video and personal comments at the conclusion of the this yearʼs project. If one of our volunteers lives in your city, we would be happy to have them do a personal presentation for your company at the conclusion of the project.

Your donation   will help us light the SPARK!

Please go to http://www.thespinsterz.com/spark-circus.htm for more information and to donate

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Poi Tricks, Free Shipping and Acrobatic Yoga

Learn a new Poi Trick

I started a Poi Tricks Blog about 1 week ago. This blog is in addition to my poi tricks page on The Spinsterz. On the Poi Tricks Blog you will find a frequently updated blog with lots and lots of instruction and poi video tutorials. It is focused to all ranges of poi, beginner to super techy poi geometers. I update is almost daily and will continue to do so as long as there is something new to learn, which will always be the case. So go check out http://poitricks.org and make sure to subscribe to the rss feed or twitter so you get all the new updates.


Partner Acrobatic Yoga












Cultivate trust, open communication, playfulness and connection in this two-hour workshop that integrates partner stretching, counter balancing, partner acrobatics and flying transitions. We will move through a partner flying sequence creating our own graceful dance while deepening our self awareness and our relation to others.
This workshop is open to all levels of practice. Come by yourself or with a partner. Bring a mat, water, and comfy yoga clothes, and be ready to have some fun.


Nov. 21st, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Namaspa Yoga Studio 1135 NW Galveston
$20/person or $35/couple

More info/RSVP: 503. 737.7842 (Brandon) or 541.550.8550 (Namaspa)

FREE SHIPPING 
Free shipping on all fire hoops, both regular and custom made, now through Christmas. If you have been wanting to get a new Fire Hoop and save some money, now is the time.
 

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

This Festival sounds real cool and unique

I just came across this festival and it sounds real great. Check out all the workshops they have
Yoga – Crossfit and Parour – Aerial and Acro Training – Hula Hooping/Superhoopers – Anda Mandala/Stop Motion Animation – Kitchen Sink Film Making – Accordion –Why would you want to? – Discover What’s Stopping You – Recycled Art Making/Art Ninjas – GAGA Clothing Swap – Shire/eco workshops – WonderCraft/craft making


Art Outside 2009

Art Outside 2009 | 3-Day Art & Music Festival Lineup

Texas’ most unique art and music event, ART OUTSIDE, is pleased to announce the full lineup for the upcoming 2009 festival .

































Thursday, September 24, 2009

Hula Hooping: A Fad Becomes a Real Fitness Tool

To get in shape for her October wedding, Dawn-Samantha Cahill, 25, a production coordinator in New York City, tried every exercise routine she could think of. But the upended positions that yoga required made her feel self-conscious. Running on a treadmill was a bore. And lifting weights was just too difficult. Frustrated, Cahill started overeating instead of exercising, and her weight, on a petite, 5-ft. 2-in. frame, ballooned to 212 lb.

Cahill was nearly ready to give up, until one day last spring, she discovered a video on YouTube about hula-hooping.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

How To tie a Monkey Fist Knot

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fire Safety for Fire Dancers

Fire dancing is a lot of fun, but before you light up there are a few things you should know. Listed below is some basic fire safety information as well as some specifics on fuels and other things related to fire. Please read through this information and take it seriously, it is here for your benefit.

Monday, September 21, 2009

New Fall Fire Hoop Designs

I just got done taping, photoing and putting up new designs of my collapsible fire hoops. I have not updated my fire hoop collection since last spring and felt that it was time to give everyone some new options to choose from.

I am doing the designs a little different this time, giving you the choice of making your hoop look the exact way you would like it. It has always kind of bugged me in the past that I would make 4 or 5 designs of a fire hoop and then sell all these same designs over the course of a few months. Doing this essentially gives many duplicate hoops and I think its great to be able to stand out from the crowd and show off the truly unique YOU, that know one else can copy no matter how hard they try. So why not extend this into your hoop choice as well?

You start with one of 6 different glitter, prismatic or holographic tapes and then you can pick what ever other colors you would like. You can even tell me what type of design you want, helix, double, anti-spin spiral, etc. This give you the freedom to make your collapsible fire hoop look different from your neighbors and not have to spend the extra cash fully customizing your hoop as shown here http://www.thespinsterz.com/fire-toys/build_a_hoop.htm

So go and check out my new fire hoop designs and get yourself into a new hoop that looks different from all the others.

For the readers of this blog, I am offering you a $25 dollar savings on the first 5 fire hoops that are purchased.
Just type in BLOGFH into the discount field to get your discount. Remember this is only for the first 5 hoops that are sold, if you type in the code and a discount does not show, that means that the 5 hoop mark has been met.

Thanks and enjoy your week!

Oh, and don't forget about my Fire Hoop Workshop coming up the 3rd of October

Brandon

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Fire + LED = Fire and LED Hula Hoop...WOW!

I have just updated The Spinsterz with a fantastic new and improved product; Fire and LED Hula Hoop. Yup, that's right. This hula hoop combines both the fantastic glow of an LED hoop and the passion of a fire hoop into one.

I think this is such a great idea for when you are indoors and can't use fire or when you really just wish you could light your LED hoop in fire. It also takes out the concern when shopping for a hoop. Many people come to me and ask what hoop should they get, should it be the fire hoop or led hoop? Now the choice is simple and it will save you money as well. Starting at only $275 this is the best bang for you buck.

You have the options to choose what color LED's you want, or you can also pick all of them and have them change from color to color in a slow morph or change more quickly. You can also pick how many fire spines you want to have in your hoop, 5, 6 or do you can be a total pyro and go for 8! I love the fact that you can remove the spines so you can use your fire and led hoop as a normal LED hoop and not have to worry about damaging your wicks as you are trying new tricks.

In short if you are thinking of buying either an LED Hoop or Fire Hoop, you might as well just "smoosh" them together, pay less and stand out from the crowd.

Check them out at http://www.thespinsterz.com/fire-toys/superwickit.htm

Monday, September 7, 2009

How to make an LED Hoop

How to make a rechargeable LED Hula Hoop on a budget

21 led's inside a 3/4 inch pipe for faster hooping styles.

Takes about 3 hours to make
Note: I did not make these instructions. Throughout the text it says, "I", this refers to the person that wrote this. I pulled the article from instructables.com
Enjoy!
3183317231_509e6f56fe.jpg3183317231_509e6f56fe.jpg3184155034_5c0276e424.jpg

Step 1: Supplies

Here is a list of supplies you will need. All my prices are in Canadian funds. You can get things a little cheaper from ebay and such. But this was all bought from local
plumbing and electronics stores.

The hardest thing to find is a good tubing product. I wanted to use something that was fairly cheap, came in short lengths and had the proper strength and transparency i needed. The product i found that works best is Aqua-pex. It has writing on it with the brand and specs.. but it won't be noticeable at night , when you will be using a LED hula hoop anyway.

Supplies List
21 LEDS - $12.00
132" of 3/4" pipe - $20.00 for 20 ft.
1 x 3/4" pex coupler - $1.00
2 x 3/4" pex clamps - $0.50
36' x 22 ga Wire - $15.00 for 100 ft.
4 x AA NIMH rechargeable batteries - $18.00
1 x 6 volt battery charger - $15.00
1 x 1.75 x 4.75mm plug and dc Jack - $4.50
21 resistors - $2.00 for 100
1 x Slide Switch SPST on-off $$9.00 for 10
Everything comes to around $70
Plus a few basic tools you may already have.
Tools List
Soldering Iron, Drill, Solder, file or sandpaper, Flux, Electrical tape, marker, glue, pipe cutter, String, Wire strippers, Bubble wrap, and a paper clip.
3184154764_7029162aae.jpg

Step 2: LED and Resistor Information

Resistors are basically used to drop the voltage so you don't fry the LED or draw more power then it needs.
Each LED requires a different voltage to light up. Some 2.4volts, some 3.6volts and so on.
Using OHM's Law, i calculated that with 4.8 Volts (4 x AA Rechargeable's). I needed 68 ohm resistors for the 3.6 V led's and 150 ohm resistors for the 2.4 and under
LED's.
Some people use exactly 3.6 volts, lithium or 3 AA batteries. But as soon as the batteries start dieing, they lose voltage and some LED's won't light up as bright or at all.

Use this tool to calculate which resistors you need for your LED's LED Resistor CalculatorLED Resistor Calculator
Soldering the resistor is very easy. You can put the resistor on either the negative or the positive. It doesn't matter. I used the positive. Usually on a LED, the positive is
the longer of the 2 leads. I cut my positive leads before soldering, to make the length of each almost the same after i solder the resistor.
3163280657_7d0c668229.jpg

Step 3: Soldering Batteries

So I started the process by soldering all my batteries together in series. Basically negative terminal goes to the positive on the next battery. I wanted to evenly distribute
the weight around the hoop so I separated the batteries by 31-36" of wire, so i had some extra to play with. I created a little video to show you how easy soldering a
battery is. . WARNING! Soldering batteries is very dangerous and they could explode. Try at your own risk.
Video
Soldering Batteries.
Prepping the batteries. I have used many different kinds of batteries. This time i am using Venom 2400 mah batteries. I start off by charging them. Then I take my cheap
nail file and scratch up the tops and bottoms. Just so the solder has something to grab onto.
Since my hoop is 132 inches, batteries are 2 inches long and i need 4 of them. I need to have etleast 31 of wire in between each battery. So i made it 32 inches just to be safe.
Strip each end of the wire.
Put some FLUX on the battery end and the end of the wire. It acts as a bonding agent for the solder and makes soldering so much easier.Put a big glob of solder on
the soldering iron. Touch your wire to the battery and push the soldering iron on top. It shouldn't need to be help on there for more than 5 seconds. Remove the iron, and
blow on the solder. It should harden and you will be able to pick the battery up with just the wire. If it falls off try again.


Step 4: Charger Plug

I changed the plug for the battery charger to a barrel plug. And used a hold jack for the receiver in the hoop. So the Jack could be more inside the hoop and less exposed. So I soldered the positive wire to the
middle and negative to the outer. It will be the same for the jack hole.


Step 5: LED Wires

I purchased 1 spool of Red 22 awg wire. So to distinguish the positive from the negative i took a marker and ran it down one length of the Red wire. I also purchased a second spool of white. You can use it for the second strand of LED's in the 42 LED version or use it for the batteries or what have you. I have recenlty switched to using white for both, as it is less visible through the hoop. And using only a piece of red at the end of the batteies line so i know when i pull the lines through the hoop which is the battery positive.
Next run the wires for the LEDS, Positive and ground. Mark out where you want the LED's and the batteries to go.
For 21 LED's per length of 132" wire. It was about 6.5 inches in between each led.
Make sure you leave enough room between the LED's for the batteries, no soldering or tape or they wont fit in the pipe.
Solder your resistors to your longer part of the LEDs.
And then solder the resistor to the positive wire.
Solder the other line of the led to the ground.
Tape up your exposed wires. And tape the wires together. Move on to the next led.
Always test the string before you move on to the next step. You can use a 9 volt battery to make it easier. Just touch the positive string to the small port and the negative
to the pole with the folds.
This step take the most time. Took me about 1 1/2 hour to do the 21 L.E.D.'s
Update:
I recently found out that you can attach the battery negative to the LED negatives. See the pic. This way you only need to attach the negative to the DC jack. And you don't have any wires going across the gap in the tubing when you are finished. Its works better this way for the collapsible version.

Step 6: Bubble Wrap Wires

After you are done soldering, you want to attach all the wires together.The led lines, the battery line and some string.
After all the lines are attached together. You want to bubble wrap between the batteries. To make the hoop quieter. And protect the led's.
Remember you want the batteries to be able to slide through the pipe. So only bubble wrap the led's and wires. leave that batteries exposed. Start at the end that will enter the hoop last. So the overlapping doesnt bind in the hoop when pulled through.
If you want to add some weight for a fitness hoop, just add some fishing lead weights in this step. Or make your hoop last longer using another 4 batteries in series. Double the Capacity.. but that would be a little more planning and different wiring.
wrap

Step 7: Charger, Jack & Switch placement

switchjack

Step 8: Pull the wires through

I attached another piece of string to the string tied to the lines, in the bubble wrap. At the end of that string i attached a battery for weight and slid it trough the pipe. I pull my wires through with the closed end of the wiring first.
Now with the wires sticking out the end of the pipe with the holes for the switch and jack. Take the positive LED wire and snake it through the Switch hole.
Take the negative from the LED/battery and pull it through the DC jack hole
I take the positive battery wire and pull it through the opening of the pipe. Then from there i snake 2 lines back one for the dc jack and one for the switch. Here is a diagram. and some pics Hope it makes some sense.
diagram

Step 9: Finishing and connecting the hoop

After connecting and soldering all the wires. I put glue/epoxy around the outside of the switch and DC Jack. Then pushed them into the pipe.
Now they should work while the hoop is separated.

Permanent:
Since I didn't want to buy the $200 tool needed for the pex clamps. You can just take your finished hoop to home depot and they will let you use their rental tool for free. Pex clamps hold great, and they are .28 cents each. Or you can use a gear clamp. Taped it up for aesthetics and safety.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Hooping in the News

Hooping has come a long way since children spun light plastic hoops in the playground. Today it's more than just a fitness phenomenon. A little bit hippy-dippy, a little bit circus-punk, it's achingly cool and has been whirling its way around the festival circuit all summer. Classes are springing up all over the country and everyone from sussed teenagers to give-it-a-go grannies are taking to the hoop.

Diana Defries is the founder of Hoopswhirled, which runs classes in and around London. ''Hooping appears to be evolving fast but it's been going in its present form for more than 10 years,'' she says.

The current movement began in clubs and festivals in the United States but quickly went mainstream. ''Hooping makes you feel more positive and calmer, with a great sense of being grounded and connected to your body,'' Defries enthuses. ''The rhythmic motion of hooping also brings about beneficial changes in brainwave activity.'' But it's not all in the mind. Hooping is a gentle, low-impact workout that mobilises the spine. Defries points out that it works more than 30 core muscles, improves balance and co-ordination and helps to increase strength and stamina. ''You get fitter, lose inches and firm up your midsection and other areas when you hoop,'' she says.

John Parnell (aka Hoop Guy), who teaches and performs, also stresses the holistic nature of hooping. ''Many people say that hooping helps lift their mood,'' he says. ''It has even supposedly helped people through bouts of depression, though it would be irresponsible to make wild claims. There is also a lot of anecdotal evidence that hooping helps strengthen the muscles surrounding your lower spine, just like Pilates, and this can be beneficial to anyone who has suffered from a bad back in the past.''

Hooping article in the news posted Sep. 1 in the Telegraph from the U.K.

If you have ever tried hooping with a child's lightweight toy hoop and found it impossible, take heart. The bigger and heavier the hoop, the easier it is to work. Classes range from the simple and basic hoop fitness, or "hulaerobics" workouts (many Rosemary Conley classes use them) to extreme creative and expressive classes. Parnell is now starting to work with children in schools as a way to tackle obesity. ''However, not many men hoop,'' he says sadly. ''Some see it as a bit sissy, a bit girlie.''

He thinks they're missing a trick. ''I'm a man in my fifties and I love it. It's addictive, in a nice way, because you are always looking to challenge yourself. Not many people appreciate that the brain works better when given physical and spatial skills challenges as well as ordinary mental stimulation.''

Great for the body, soothing for the soul and a tool for mental acuity too. Seems the hippy happy hoopy workout really does offer the lot.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Introduction to Hula Hooping

Introduction to Hooping

"Hooping" is a term for hula hooping with large customized hoops. There are more and more people hooping all over America and around the world, but what the hell are they doing?

Historical Background:
The hoop has a long history, which pre-dates the 1950s hula hooping fad by several thousand years.
Hooping began creeping back into the American collective cultural consciousness a decade ago. Certainly, fans of The String Cheese Incident deserve some credit for kicking off the second revolution of hooping. The band has been known to toss hoops into the audience during shows since the mid-90s, and their fans began spreading the joy of hooping everywhere. Soon hooping began showing up at underground dance community events and raves. If you'd like to read more about this resurgant wave of hula hooping, check out: What Goes Around Comes Around.

Hooping vs. Hula Hooping: Hooping is way more fun than the hula hooping you remember as a child, because the bigger and heavier the hoop, the slower it rotates around your body. This means that even if you think you can't hoop, with one of these hoops, you can! Everybody can hoop, regardless of age, size, or sense of rhythm. When you're using a customized hoop that's four feet in diameter, the rotation is slow enough that even clumsy amateurs can keep the hoop going — and it's not too hard to get into dancing and even doing tricks.

Hooping also just feels good. Another advantage of a bigger heavier hoop is that as it circles your waist, it gives you a solid massage. Your intestines and organs get a firm rythmic rubbing. It feels great! Some claim that hooping has other energetic benefits as well, but I can only speak for myself: I find hooping quite meditative, and perhaps more importantly, hooping makes me smile. Playing with a hoop works up a nice sweat, and like any cardiovascular exercise, it can hit the reset button on a bad mood. It's simply a lot of fun; and I'm a firm believer that fun is healthy!

Excerpt from Hooping.org

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Fire Hoop Workshop

Have you ever wanted to learn to fire hoop?

Click on the image below to see more





















Go to http://www.thespinsterz.com/services/lessons.htm to sign up

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Lots of new products to tell you about

Oh boy oh boy, do I have lots of fun new toys to tell you about.

Starting off I now have a full line of Juggling clubs, ranging from beginner clubs at $30 a set, to professional performance grade clubs, and LED Glow Juggling clubs too!



2.5" (70mm) diameter brightly colored stage juggling balls. These are great for beginning jugglers as they are very soft and grippy. They work good for contact juggling as well.

stage ball

I also now have some hoop and staff travel bags. They are two separate bags , one is measured for 43" diameter hoops or smaller and the staff bags can be made custom lengths to accommodate all of your toys.

hoop bag



Click on any of the above pictures to be taken to that page.

Thanks for buying from me!
Brandon

Not going to Burning Man special

For all of you who are not attending the burn this year, I have a special just for you.

For the week of the burn only, you can save $5 on all 7 Color Change Glow Ball Poi.

Glow Ball Poi

Go here http://www.thespinsterz.com/led-toys/glowballpoi.htm to get yourself the "I'm staying home from Burning Man, saving money and spinning poi" deal. Whoo, Thats a mouth full.

All you have to do is just select the 7 Color Change option.

Thanks and enjoy the non dust!