One of the central values in the world of emerging churches is that of creativity, and especially that of “user creativity” - i.e. taking the creativity out of the hands of a few and putting it into the hands of the many (we, of course, see the gift of both).

So, welcome to the hip, hot, rich new world of user creativity on the web.

According to Wired magazine, this instapreneurs are guiding us into the next phase of the internet.

I’m always amazed at how intriguing these things are to me personally, though one shouldn’t be amazed. We are children of our age, engaging its joys and seeking to challenge its idolatries.

Zazzle custom t-shirts and more, create or shop for unique designs shipped in 24 hours

See my Wild Pear Creative gallery at Zazzle

My son asked me this morning if he could play on the computer. We have a policy in our home that before school, the computer can only be used for schoolwork. I said, “Sorry little buddy, you know the deal.” He walked away, quite disappointed.

Within minutes I head what sounded like exhuberant wailing in the kitchen. I walked in to find my little guy squealing with delight with a tin foil puck he had made, re-enacting various NHL hockey plays he has come to love.

Imagination.

An Imagination Workshop. For kids and teens.

The term has been used all over the Internet. Just run a search on it. It would need to be renamed, but that’s no big deal.

I see some other name, and a workshop over a weekend that teaches this generation to use their imaginations, inspired by live instructors, the “making of” portions of film DVDs (Lord Of The Rings, Narnia, etc.), writers/story shapers, artists, etc.

Kids and teens get a “splash” of art forms, buzzing the tower of their own imagination and awakening it to fresh perspectives on life, tastes of beauty, and even avocational and vocational possibilities.

The Goals: Inspiration, Formation, Teen Artistic Collectives/Communities, Mentoring Relationships, Sheer Joy

I’m sure someone is doing this, and we’ll be doing some version of it here in our town.

A COMMON NOTE ON DAN’S IDEAS:

Go ahead and use this idea, as I probably will never get the time to implement it. I’d rather you were helped by it as an entrepreneur, rather than me take it to my grave.

If you do use an idea from the IdeaMill, and do quite well with it, just “remember my family and I” in any way you deem appropriate! Or not. These ideas will not be copyrighted by me, and its your job to see if someone has invented this already as you develop a prototype.

The DrillDust Catcher is made for catching the drywall dust that spills out of a hole being drilled inside a finished home.

For example, my loving wife requests: “Honey, would you please hang the shelf in your daughter’s room?”

I grabs the drill, and promptly begins to align and drill the holes in the wall. Dust is falling all over the dresser and/or carpet below. I was too lazy to move the furniture, and I’d prefer not to have to vacuum in the end of such a small job.

The DrillDust Catcher is the fix for these domestic repair messages. Attached to the middle finger of the hand holding the drill (or to the hand not holding the drill), this plastic extension has a wide area that fans out below where the hole is being drilled, and butts up against the wall. On the plastic “tray” at the end, only about 4 in. wide, is a thin sponge. The sponge is dampened before the job, and as the drywall dust falls, it falls onto the dampened sponge.

I’ve done this with a regular sponge, held just a few inches below the hole being drilled, and it works perfectly.

I had a dream a few years ago now, and woke to scribble down the idea.

Essentially, The Circa Table is the first of a line of outdoor, picnic/backyard furniture. All the furniture is based on a circle concept.

The Circa Table is a picnic table that is attached together as one piece, seats, table and lazy susan. Picture 4 circular wood slabs (made of 2×4s or 1×4s edge to edge, like a common picnic table), each the size of a one-person table setting.

Take these 4 circles, and put them together into one tabletop, like a clover. All of the smaller circles will need to be cut to accomodate their meeting tightly in the middle.

At the center of the table, a circular lazy susan is attached, that is large enough to pass food around to all members at the table.

The seats are 4 circles as well (this could all be done based on 6 circles for larger tables), and are fully attached to the base of the table, which is attached to the tabletop. I.e. One piece.

Accompaning lawn furniture is based on circles as well, bottom and backrest (somewhat along the tilted feel of a Muskoka chair), and outdoor chairs for children come in Ikea blue, yellow and red (though red absorbs summer sun-heat).

The Circa Table could come pre-built and be available at home stores, or for assembly. Lighter materials could be used in some cases, and an umbrella could be either substituted for the lazy susan, or attached too it in some manner.

A NOTE ON DAN’S IDEAS:

Go ahead and use this idea, as I probably will never get the time to implement it. I’d rather you were helped by it as an entrepreneur, rather than me take it to my grave.

If you do use the idea, and do well with it, just “remember my family and I” in any way you deem appropriate — that’s all I ask. These ideas will not be copyrighted by me, and its your job to see if someone has invented this already as you develop a prototype.

THE FELT NEED

Many cups made for children have a small base, and spill easily.

When the classic sippy cup is no longer needed by a growing child, they still are learning their macro-muscle skills, and spills are common throughout childhood.

Any parent knows that spills are incredibly frustrating mid-meal, especially when the liquid is sticky.

THE IDEA: THE NO-TIPPY CUP

The No-Tippy Cup is colorful, made of durable plastic, but has a wide base that fans out at the bottom of the cup, making it harder to tip.

The No-Tippy Cup is a size grippable by little hands, but at the bottom the base is thicker, and fans out like a small plate, so it doesn’t take too much room on a small dinner table.

As the child brings the still lightweight No-Tippy Cup to their lips, there are pictures of smiley faces, cartoon characters both on the edge before their eyes, and on the bottom of the base to flash a happy face at all the fam seated around the table.

Consider designer (i.e. Mickey, Frodo, Nemo) No-Tippy Cups for kids. Heck, try one for clumsy Dad’s.

How to refine how they stack or sit in a cupboard, I’m not sure, though a unique mold design could do the trick.

A NOTE ON DAN’S IDEAS:

Go ahead and use this idea, as I probably will never get the time to implement it. I’d rather you were helped by it as an entrepreneur, rather than me take it to my grave.

If you do use the idea, and do well with it, just “remember my family and I” in any way you deem appropriate — that’s all I ask. These ideas will not be copyrighted by me, and its your job to see if someone has invented this already as you develop a prototype.

This company apparently helps you get your idea in front of corporate eyes:
Davison54.com

This company aids inventors, apparently:
InventHelp.com