BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF MY ARTS AND CRAFTS

This one is boring. I know. Who cares about dates...get to the fun photos! I will...hang on tight. But I felt the book should start with this, to give a bit of order to things.

 

1986: For my bar-mitzvah, I receive a Nikon FG-20 SLR camera as a gift from Phyllis and Martin Albert, my relatives from Boston. The camera is too complex for me, so it remains unused for a while.

1990: I start using my SLR to take photos. Struggling with costs of film, I learn to develop film on my own, and use my high-school’s lab. I create filters and effects using things like colored cellophane, Vaseline, cardboard and other techniques.

1994: My photo work is noticed by the senior officers at my army base, and I’m asked to be the “official” photographer of the base. I take part in many base events as one, and enjoy some of the luxuries typically reserved for officers.

1998: I create my first website PCPhobia, which receives national attention and leads to start working as a journalist for Maariv and publishing weekly articles.

2002: I get my first digital camera, and start taking more and more photos, now that film is no longer a financial constraint.

2010: I get hired to write a book about my product, UAG, and become a successful author (later publishing several other books). I also start writing and doing stand-up comedy.

2014: I learn Pewter casting, and create my first “real” piece – a pewter casting of a Lego “Han Solo in Carbonite”. Many other items follow-suit.

2015: One of my pieces “Waiting for Luke” is featured in the Microsoft employee art exhibition. This is the first public display of my work. I’m also featured in GeekWire, and Microsoft’s internal MSW news portal. I write my first creative application, a visualization tool for DNA results produced by 23andMe, and share it on my website. I develop a process for miniaturizing books and start creating and selling them. I run a table at the annual miniature show and sell books for thousands of dollars. I make my 1^st Steampunk guitar, and other Steampunk items. I discover the power of the industrial laser-cutter Microsoft has in the “Maker’s Garage” and start making things there regularly.

2018: Following my departure of Microsoft, I lose access to the laser, and buy my own (a Glowforge), and start making things on it at home.

2021: I create a steampunk stereo amplifier, which is one of my most detailed and elaborate pieces, and featured in the Microsoft employee art exhibition (the 5^th time an item of mine is featured).