The Spinsterz

Learn to make a fire hula hoop Video

2010-04-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

After 3 weeks of creating video, editing and many many hours, I have finally finished my

How to Build a Collapsible Fire Hoop Video Tutorial!

In this video you are going to learn how to make a fire hoop from scratch. I will teach you everything you need to know, including where to source and buy your materials, what tubing you can use, how to make removable spines, and much much more. In this step by step instructional video tutorial you will learn to make your very own fire hoop for less than you would pay ANYWHERE online!

You will also get an unlimited amount of help and guidance should you need some help or don't quite understand some of the steps. I am here to help you each step of the way!
You will learn to build 3 types of fire hoops.
- A standard non-collapsible fire hoop

- A coil down fire hoop

- A 3 or 4 section collapsible hoop with quick release spring buttons.

Why would you want to learn to make a Fire Hoop from us?
Well, we have been in this business for 5 years and have gone through tons of trial and error, and over time we have learned what works and what doesn't. We want to share with you what does work so that you can save yourself time, money and lots of headaches and possibly burns....OUCH!
In this video tutorial I will teach you how to build your wicks and spines, but not just one way - you will get 3 different versions of a spine that you can make yourself, depending on how creative you want to get.
You will learn how to measure for accuracy and get your spines spaced out perfectly from one another around your hoop, creating maximum balance and giving you the benefit of effortless, smooth fire hooping.

I could continue on, but I'll leave it up to you to visit the page and see if this video is for you. Just click on the link below to check it out.

I want to learn to make a collapsible fire hoop

Learn to make a fire hula hoop

2010-04-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to learn how to build a Fire Hoop?

I am releasing a video tutorial that is packed full of detailed step by step information to learn to make your very own fire hula hoop.

In this video you are going to learn how to make a fire hoop from scratch. Yup, I will teach you everything you need to know, including where to source and buy your materials, what tubing you can use, how to make removable spines, what wicks are better to use and much much more. In this step by step instructional video tutorial you will learn to make your very own fire hoop for less than you would pay ANYWHERE online!

You will also get an unlimited amount of help and guidance should you need some help or don't quite understand some of the steps. I am here to help you each step of the way!

You will learn to build 3 types of fire hoops.......read more here

Peg Stilts custom made and ready for you

2010-02-13T10:37:00.000-08:00

Peg Stilts custom made to fit YOU

Spring is almost, here! That means more time outside. More time outside means more time to get “high”… high on Peg Stilts that is! What a perfect time then to introduce you to our newest toy here at The Spinsterz.

We just developed a new lightweight, Performance Peg Stilt! These new stilts are what people have been asking for and we have built them to last and be super comfortable. Something we all need nowadays, quality matters now more than it used to! They are made with strong, but light oak uppers, and are reinforced with aluminum bars. The calf cuff that holds your leg securely in place is lined with soft, dense foam that can also move, just a bit to allow for the different contours of peoples legs. The calf cuff along with the shoe plate has Velcro cinch straps that hold you snugly into the calf support and give you extra security on your shoe.

In our style of Peg stilt, your shoe is bolted directly onto the foot plate. With this way of stilt making, there are 2 options: we will pre-drill the foot plate, and send you the hardware and instructions for you to complete the project at home, or send us the shoes that you will be stilting in and we will attach them to your new stilts for you. If you choose to do it on your own you will need a power drill.

You can get the Standard Model Peg Stilt or you can choose the Acrobatic Stilt Design, for a heavier person, or for a more acrobatic stilter. The standard Model can be used by anyone. A great Stilt for a beginner. They are very strong and are again, built to last.

We will need different measurements to ensure the proper fit of your stilts. We need calf size, the distance from the floor to the bottom of your knee cap, shoe size and the distance from the floor to the thickest part of your calf, and remember we need the measurements in inches.

So, how tall do you want to be? There are different heights to choose from. It’s up to you; the sky’s the limit… well within reason!

Thanks for reading; I hope this sparked your interest into the world of Stilt-walking.

So don’t be short any longer, head on over to http://www.thespinsterz.com/stilts/peg-stilt.html and get into a new pair of stilts today!

Melissa Magic

Fire Hoops

2010-01-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

Fire Hoops

Fire Hoops seem to be a very talked about subject these days and more and more people are looking to buy one. I see a lot of talk about which fire hoops are the best, which are the lightest, heaviest, most portable, etc. So what should you look for when you are buying a fire hoop?

Weight

a heavier fire hula hoop is going to travel a bit slower and give you more of a workout, it will also give your internal organs a nice massage.
a lighter fire hoop is going to be faster, easier to do tosses with, not tire you out as fast, but might also be harder to hoop with.

Size

The size you pick for your fire hoop should be close to what you hoop with already. The spines do make the hoop feel like it is much bigger than it actually is. I recommend that you get a fire hoop that is slightly smaller than the hula hoop you normally hoop with. The added weight of the spines will compensate for for the size difference.

Tape or Sanded?

This is a new feature in the hooping world. The people that like sanded hoops are those that like a super duper uber light hoop. You can get a sanded hoop here http://www.thespinsterz.com/hoops/build_a_hoop.htm
a taped fire hoop still seems to be the way most people are going as it just looks so much nicer than a bare black hoop.

Collapsible or not?

Getting a collapsible Fire Hoop seems to be what most people buy these days, although if you are not planning on traveling much , then you shouldn't really need for it to be collapsible. You are not going to really notice any difference between a collapsible hoop and a non collapsible hoop. Both react the same and have the same qualities. Some people may say that a collapsible fire hoop is wobbly, but that all depends on the manufacturer of the hoop.

Flexible Spines or Rigid?

The idea behind flexible spines is that when the spine hits the ground it will bend to absorb the impact, a rigid spine will not and bend or break. Flexible is becoming the industry standard for most beginning fire hoopers. If you are more advanced and never drop your hoop or let your spines hit the ground. Then a rigid spine should be just fine for you.

Hopefully this will help a little bit in your search for the perfect fire hoop. Remember that all fire hoops are going to have different features, benefits and draw backs, so take your time and find the right one for you.

You can find a variety of fire hoops here http://www.thespinsterz.com/hoops/fire-hoop-types.htm

New site design

2009-12-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

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

Circus Foundations

2009-11-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

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.

Join the Circus!

2009-11-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

Have you always wanted to run away with the circus?

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

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

Poi Tricks, Free Shipping and Acrobatic Yoga

2009-11-10T13:26:00.000-08:00

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. 21^st, 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.

This Festival sounds real cool and unique

2009-09-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

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 .

The 2009 Art Outside festival presented by Art Seen Alliance is now in its fifth year. It will be held on the sprawling grounds of Apache Pass just east of Austin, Texas on Friday, October 9th to Sunday, the 11th. Art Outside offers an exciting three-day camping experience. With full camping facilities and beautiful central Texas landscape, Apache Pass allows families, small parties, and singles to enjoy an all-out art and music celebration during the day, and sleep under the stars at night.
Featuring musicians like Wine and Revolution, Suzanna Choffel, Freq Nasty and 62 other acts across three stages, over 100 visual artists ranging from photographers to jewelry-designers, film shorts by Austin Underground Film Society, on-site yoga and acrobatic training, DIY craft demos by The Wonder Craft, fashion show by Rene Geneva, fire dancing performances and much more, Art Outside is an unforgettable, full-sensory art adventure. Art Outside also makes a special effort to reach out to families, and will offer interactive earth-friendly projects, storytelling, and a variety of arts and crafts workshops for children at this year’s event.

Since its inception in 2004, Art Outside has played a significant role in shaping Texas’ vibrant art and music community. By moving creative works from inside gallery walls to an outdoor setting with open sky and wild environs, Art Outside challenges guests to rethink the way they view art, fostering an environment where no genre is off-limits, no medium left unexplored.

SITE INFORMATION:
Gates open Friday, October 9th at noon. All children 12 and under will receive free admission. In addition to camp ground privileges for full-weekend participants, Apache Pass offers RV parking and on-site shower facilities for guests, as well as music performance areas, a cantilevered stage over the San Gabriel river, and tents for participating artists and attendees.

2009 ART OUTSIDE 3-DAY ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP

Friday Oct 9th – MUSIC – 3 Stages: (band, DJ & variety)
Acid Tomb – The Little Gentlemen – The Boxing Lesson – Frantic Clam – Astronaut Suit – Smoke and Feathers – Cartright – Shapes Have Fangs – Ocha la Rocha – The Warlocks – DJ Bigface – Stefanko Selecta – Resident Anti-Hero – Fort Knox Five – Manny – Happy James – Neptune – Mad Happy (Sunset) – Shimmering war Choir – Sangre Del Sol presents – Adira Amram – DC Juicy – Reggie Watts – Helios Jive

Friday – Comedy & Film:
Mocha Jean Herrup – Kerri Lendo – Suddenly Dapper – Lost Film Festival – Austin Underground Film Festival

Saturday Oct 10th – music – 3 Stages: (band, DJ & variety)
Wine and Revolution – Framing Strangers – Planet Rye Co – Damon Moon – The Chibas – Golden Animals – Amplified Heat – Y – Lower Heaven – Woven Bones – The Vandelles – Dead Meadow – John Gomi – Aaron Anthony – iiiTawk – Oscure – Know One/Souleye – Freq Nasty – Jantsen – Neptune – Sensei Strange – The Back Pockets – Mad Happy – Cohen – Helios Jive – Dolomites/Stevhen Iancu – Fashion Show (Pavilion) – Scientists & Rockstars – Death is not a joyride – Firegroove – DMT – Hipnautica

Saturday – Workshops:
Yoga – CrossFit and Parkour – Improvisation Dance – Aerial and Acro Training – Hula Hooping/ Superhoopers – Anda Mandala/Stop Motion Animation – Fankamentals/Hip Hop – Poi Spinning – Recycled Art Making/Art Ninjas – GAGA Clothing Swap – Shire/eco workshops – WonderCraft/craft making

Saturday – Fashion Show:
Grace Manley – Rene Geneva Design – Chia Guillory – Baruzula Hutchings – Lisa Lawler

Saturday – Comedy & film:
Confidence Men – Max Amini – & Special Guests – Elevate Film Festival

Sunday Oct 11th – music – 3 Stages: (band, DJ & variety)
Deacon Willie – Wendy Colonna – Suzanna Choffel – Dave Madden – Sideshow Tragedy – Geronimo son – James Moran – The Lovers – Cohen

Sunday – Workshops:
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
Check out the full lineup here: www.artoutside.org (*subject to changes & modifications.)

Hula Hooping: A Fad Becomes a Real Fitness Tool

2009-09-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

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.
"The woman in the video was so sexy, and the moves she was making with a hula hoop were so cool," Cahill says. "Normally, watching a gorgeous woman like this would make me feel bad. Instead, I wanted to imitate her."

The woman with the rock-hard body and come-hither hula hoop was Christabel Zamor, author of Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program and founder and CEO of San Francisco–based HoopGirl Inc., which offers instructional hooping videos and classes. Inspired by Zamor, Cahill started waking up at 3:15 each morning to clear the furniture from the middle of her living room and hoop to tunes by Beyoncé and Lady Gaga for 45 min. before work. In five months, she lost 46 lb., dropping from a size 20 to a comfortable size 12. "I finally found an exercise that I could do every day because I felt like I wasn't exercising at all," says Cahill, who eventually ventured out of her living room and into scheduled hooping classes in New York City. "I was just having fun."

It might have ended up as just another passing fitness fad, but hula-hooping appears to have caught on and stuck. Zamor's HoopGirl began selling weighted, adult-size hoops in 2001, and other companies, including Los Angeles–based Hoopnotica, were founded soon after. Since then, the activity has gained thousands of followers worldwide. Hoopnotica's sales have more than quintupled over the past three years, according to co-founder Keaton Koechli, while HoopGirl's teacher-training program has grown from 24 instructors to more than 350 in 13 countries. Classes in the U.S. are typically offered in private studios, though Crunch gym members in Los Angeles can now take Hula Hoop Pilates. Enthusiasts also form their own organized hooping clubs—like the Bay Area Hoopers, whose founder edits the online magazine Hooping.org — or coordinate frequent impromptu "meetups" in public parks and recreation centers. A recent group-hoop took place during the Race for the Cure in New York City, in which members hooped while walking three miles to raise money for breast-cancer research.(See pictures of what makes you eat more food.)

The initial appeal of hooping is that it's fun, but its lasting value is that it works. An hour of intense hooping can burn as many calories as an hour-long run on a treadmill. Exercisers can get a full-body workout with moves like HoopGirl's "pulse," which stimulates the entire core; the "limbo," which targets the back and thighs; and the "Wild West," which helps tone biceps and triceps. "Anything that gets people off the couch and burning calories is a good thing," says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. "Hooping can be a good way to mix up your routine and keep it from being boring."

You don't have to be rhythmically gifted to succeed either. Zamor says she was an overweight graduate student who spent most of her time tied to a computer at a desk before rediscovering the hula hoop at a music-and-arts festival in Los Angeles. "When I got my hoop, I was not a natural," says Zamor, who can now twirl a hoop on virtually every body part, "but I kept practicing and realized that it was something that can be self-taught, even for people who have never hooped in their lives." What's more, says Zamor, hooping cut her stress levels, helped her drop three pant sizes and introduced her to hundreds of people she would never have otherwise met. "I found that I touched a nerve in my community — hundreds of people reached out to me for instruction," she says.

As for Cahill, she'll be packing the collapsible travel hoop she received as a wedding gift to take with her on her honeymoon. And she has lost so much weight that she had to buy an entirely new gown just three months before her wedding day. "It's the best problem a bride could run into," says Cahill, "and I owe it all to hooping."

By Catherine Sharick
Time Magazine

How To tie a Monkey Fist Knot

2009-09-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

Fire Safety for Fire Dancers

2009-09-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Equipment Maintenance

Always check your equipment before use, even if you just did a performance and are about to re-light, check it again. Check all parts for wear. Are your handles ripping? Are there cracks in your ballchain or metal hardware? If your wick is starting to fray, trim is before lighting up again. Clothing

Wear tight fitting natural fabrics and cloth. Synthetics are not a good idea, especially fleece. It catches on fire easily and melts very quick, (I found this out the hard way). Leather pants work very well. If you have long hair you need to wrap it up or wear a hat. Wetting your hair is also a good idea when it can be done. Hair sprays, dyes, gels are not a good idea. Whatever you are planning on wearing, test it first.
Do your performance at least once in the costume you are planning to wear, make sure you are comfortable in in and can move freely. Common sense is your best friend.

Personal Safety

Never spin with fire alone. You need someone else around that is familiar with your routine and your moves. This person needs to be comfortable around fire and know what to do in case of an accident. This person should also know first aid. Your "assistant" needs to have a fire blanket or damp towel ready
at all times and have a fire extinguisher (ABC) on hand.

Practice, practice, practice before you light up for the first time.
Never light up until you are totally comfortable with your abilities, and take it easy your first time. Don't try new moves while you are on fire, once again, COMMON SENSE.

Safety of others

Not only do you need to be aware of yourself, but aware of the audience as well. Your "assistant" should have crowd control skills. Make sure your performance area is large enough and there are no obstacles to trip over or get tangled up in. Keep your dipping station away from the crowd and away from your performance. Keep an eye on your audience.

Fuel Station/Dipping Station

Keep your dipping station in a well marked area away from the audience and all fire performances. You don't want a spark flying into it!! Your fuel should remain sealed when not in use. Your dipping station should at very least include, a dipping bucket and a Spin-off bucket. Depending on what type of wick you are using, dipping times will vary. After dipping be sure to spin off the excess fuel into a Spin-off bucket. Some performers like to use the extra fuel as part of there act, only do this if you know what you are doing and it will be safe. Fuel is an environmental hazard, please be kind to the earth.

Types of Fuels

This is a very controversial topic. It is all about what combination of fuel works for what application you are using it for. Experiment, and find out what works best. Below is a list of common fuels and there properties.

Kerosene or Paraffin

Kerosene and Paraffin are pretty much the same fuel. Paraffin aka: Lamp Oil, is a
derivative of Kerosene. Kerosene is the base fuel before other additives are mixed. An example would be Lamp Oil. This fuel burns a little smoky and leaves an oily residue after the burn. Generally takes a few seconds to ignite. This fuel tends to burn the longest. This is a good fuel if you need to dip a while before your performance as it takes the longest time to evaporate.

Naphtha

Some common examples would be Coleman White Gas and Lighter fluid. This fuel burns the hottest, brightest and cleanest. This fuel ignites the quickest, but it also evaporates the quickest. This is the most popular fuel used because of its low flash point and bright flame. This fuel is vary volatile and should be used with extreme caution. Keep all flames away from fueling station.

Lighting

Always light your wick away from your face and away from your dipping station.
Always light from below the wick. If you are using a lighter, do NOT put the lighter back in your pocket.

Extinguishing

It is a good idea to extinguish your flame before it goes out on its own. This will greatly extend the life of your wick. If the flame is nearing its end you can blow it out by blowing from the base upwards. Your assistant can put out the flame with the use of a fire blanket or a damp towel. After your wick is out you can put it back in the fuel to cool off.

NOTE: If you are using Coleman white gas or any fuel more volatile than Kerosene,
do NOT I repeat do NOT, put it back in the fuel after it has gone out. The fuel will explode!! Also if you have a lot of metal on the end of your wick wait a few minutes before re-submerging it in the fuel.

First Aid for burns In case of a minor burn hold the burned area under cool running water.
In case of a major burn seek immediate medical attention. If you would like to do some further reading please visit the sites below.

New Fall Fire Hoop Designs

2009-09-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

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

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

2009-09-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

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

How to make an LED Hoop

2009-09-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

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!

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.

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.

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.

Step 7: Charger, Jack & Switch placement

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.

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.

Hooping in the News

2009-09-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Introduction to Hula Hooping

2009-09-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

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

Fire Hoop Workshop

2009-08-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

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

Lots of new products to tell you about

2009-08-29T20:55:00.001-07:00

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.

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.

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

2009-08-29T20:40:00.001-07:00

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.

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!

The Spinsterz

Learn to make a fire hula hoop Video

Learn to make a fire hula hoop

Peg Stilts custom made and ready for you

Fire Hoops

Fire Hoops

New site design

Circus Foundations

Join the Circus!

Have you always wanted to run away with the circus?

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

Poi Tricks, Free Shipping and Acrobatic Yoga

This Festival sounds real cool and unique

Hula Hooping: A Fad Becomes a Real Fitness Tool

How To tie a Monkey Fist Knot

Fire Safety for Fire Dancers

New Fall Fire Hoop Designs

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

How to make an LED Hoop

How to make a rechargeable LED Hula Hoop on a budget

Step 1: Supplies

Step 2: LED and Resistor Information

Step 3: Soldering Batteries

Step 4: Charger Plug

Step 5: LED Wires

Step 6: Bubble Wrap Wires

Step 7: Charger, Jack & Switch placement

Step 8: Pull the wires through

Step 9: Finishing and connecting the hoop

Hooping in the News

Introduction to Hula Hooping

Introduction to Hooping

Fire Hoop Workshop

Lots of new products to tell you about

Not going to Burning Man special

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