I wanted to make a piece of furniture that was totally unique. It had to be a cool idea, but also interactive in some way.
In the end, I settled on this idea of making a giant etch a sketch style coffee table. You turn the knobs to draw in the sand!
https://youtu.be/sTzUoCkbPjA
The system is pretty simple in how it works. There is some string, wound around some posts that allow me to pull a carriage around under the table. On that is a strong magnet that moves the ball bearing through the sand.
It isn't perfect, but it totally works. The only bummer is that to erase it you have to shake the entire table!
More info: makezine.com
