A Month of Making
Welcome to A Month of Making - a month dedicated to sustainability, creativity and handmade Christmas gifts. From 15 November to 19 December 2021, we will be releasing a series of instructional DIY gift-making videos, created by makers from the world of STEM, featuring a variety of handmade models, machines, games and toys to help inspire your creativity this Christmas.
Prize draw
We have ten copies of the book "Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines" by Alom Shaha to give away to ten lucky makers! To enter the prize draw, create a handmade Christmas gift, take a photo or video of the finished product and post it on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #AMonthOfMaking between 15 November and 19 December 2021. Ten winners will be picked at random to receive a copy of the book.
![Dave Adkins video long cut 00 06 25 19 Still001](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Dave-Adkins-video-long-cut.00_06_25_19.Still001.png?w=863.26666666667&h=563&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519856&s=86dad36942bc910c33009869e4919b33 863w)
QEPrize Ambassador Dave Adkins demonstrates how to make a rubber band slingshot, with a Christmas tree target.
![Pewter casting 2 camera 00 17 52 05 Still002](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Pewter-casting-2-camera.00_17_52_05.Still002.png?w=1104&h=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519886&s=70852bc9c6cd4635a2579e878d7ce0b2 1104w)
Materials expert Mark Miodownik demonstrates how to use molten pewter to cast small objects that would make great Christmas gifts.
![Zoetrope Edit 00 06 04 09 Still001](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Zoetrope-Edit.00_06_04_09.Still001.jpg?w=1104&h=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519915&s=9d24a27a398ea104e7e2f82dd4d6f9bb 1104w)
Make your very own animation machine, called a zoetrope, with watchmaking duo Craig and Rebecca Struthers.
![Beth Monthof Making v1 00 03 50 11 Still002](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Beth_MonthofMaking_v1.00_03_50_11.Still002.png?w=1380&h=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519847&s=cfec630d43256173ae8d96e8b1383796 1380w)
QEPrize Ambassador Beth Fitzpatrick demonstrates how to make homemade candy canes, with a sprinkling of systems engineering.
![Microsoft Teams image 9](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/MicrosoftTeams-image-9.png?w=794.26666666667&h=518&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519881&s=e80d93f41b6ed2f06c5240397d7de402 794w)
Join Sarah Kuklewicz from the Brunel Museum to make a pompom snowman using some cardboard and yarn.
![Month of Making 1 00 07 35 10 Still004](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Month-of-Making-1.00_07_35_10.Still004.png?w=1366.2&h=891&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519882&s=c179e650336fbc18a54a04fcbb46fb59 1366w)
Suze Kundu shows us how to make a delicious chocolatey treat that your friends and family will love.
![Stephanie Houser M O Making video 00 07 00 19 Still002](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Stephanie-Houser-M-O-Making-video.00_07_00_19.Still002.png?w=1215.9333333333&h=793&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519906&s=5af1e7cca0a68b9d74175c4dc1156bb8 1215w)
QEPrize Ambassador Stephanie Houser demonstrates how to make a pulley snack delivery system using simple materials.
![Picture1](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Picture1.jpg?w=1380&h=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519887&s=db7f025d2bcefc9aece75863392cce9d 1380w)
Master a new craft and learn to make this crochet coaster! Follow along with Marisa Giannasi as she breaks down the steps.
![Month of making Hannah catapult 00 05 11 23 Still002](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Month_of_making_Hannah_catapult.00_05_11_23.Still002.png?w=1380&h=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519883&s=7f12b36fe988e3f0e9e65ffe26b96cfb 1380w)
Create a catapult with special effects technician Hannah, using lolly sticks and string!
![Sai Pathmanathan Teeny Automaton 00 00 00 00 Still001](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/SaiPathmanathan_TeenyAutomaton.00_00_00_00.Still001.png?w=1104&h=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519901&s=60eca73a13da50fffefc7c02c1519d8f 1104w)
Make a tiny automaton with Sai Pathmanathan - a miniature machine that fits in a handy gift box!
![Microsoft Teams image 6](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/MicrosoftTeams-image-6.png?w=1001.2666666667&h=653&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519881&s=d81185bfc70965a44ab0c1588e679983 1001w)
Create your own Christmas decorations using salt dough! Simple to make and fun to decorate - Ruth Amos shows us how it's done.
![Katie S](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Katie-S.jpg?w=843.33333333333&h=550&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519872&s=52f844d3873dd3ad7a438fbec24c46cc 843w)
Mathematician Katie Steckles shows how to create a braid, which you could make into a bracelet, keyring or even a bow for Christmas wrapping.
![Makingmonth illusioncard 1 00 00 19 06 Still0038](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/makingmonth_illusioncard-1.00_00_19_06.Still0038.png?w=1208.2666666667&h=788&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519936&s=41351f11e0376ee3345f5a3972518b0c 1208w)
Science magician Dr Matt Pritchard demonstrates how to make a photo illusion card using a concertina folding method.
![Duncan 00 00 05 06 Still001](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/duncan.00_00_05_06.Still001.png?w=1380&h=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519921&s=54e97dbf1be61ab254c9d089a765e8ab 1380w)
Make a Christmas wobbler with Duncan Yellowlees! This make uses a simple pendulum made out of a paper cup and a straw.
![Paul H](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Paul-H.jpg?w=1226.6666666667&h=800&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519885&s=1b401b9fb0b70c9cd437f13c1f23d019 1226w)
Paul Hocker from London Play explains how to make some simple musical instruments using things you will find around your home.
![Renee 00 03 31 22 Still001](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Renee.00_03_31_22.Still001.png?w=1104&h=720&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519899&s=305da0676035b04bc58625fa6b79bb85 1104w)
Impress your loved ones with this fun fizzing Christmas tree, as demonstrated by explosions expert Renée Watson.
![Emilie2](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Emilie2.jpg?w=1090.2&h=711&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519859&s=2dd03d5e9000e97344b5ea5b217b5215 1090w)
Follow along with Millie Heather to create an infinity photo cube - a great personalised gift for loved ones.
![Hana Ayoob thumbnail](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Hana-Ayoob-thumbnail.png?w=1330.9333333333&h=868&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519867&s=5f25a00ffe2c11e43dbd9d51273caa52 1330w)
Hana Ayoob demonstrates how to make a decorative mobile using a stick, some cardboard and some string.
![Fran Scott](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Fran-Scott.png?w=483&h=315&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519862&s=57f988e782b0a17e8e6289dcd32885a6 483w)
Engineering presenter and pyrotechnician Fran Scott explains how to mix up a pot of festive snot slime - the perfect gruesome gift!
![Sinkeroo thumbnail](https://qeprize-site.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/Sinkeroo-thumbnail.png?w=1380&h=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1699519905&s=42baf70c71915e61c559a61c4a8f31b0 1380w)
Physics teacher and author Alom Shaha demonstrates how to make a fun and educational game called Sinkeroo.