I welded my own circus aerial sculpture to perform in!

[@kylehill]

What a talent Thea is

[@lyrithvalthier2236]

I'm stun-locked by the sheer brilliance of combining both of her worlds in which she dwells to illustrate the amazing spectacle that is Thea Ulrich. What a powerhouse, what a beauty, and what a fantastic talent she is! This girl is going to reach insane heights, and not just from her self built sky dance constructions.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you so much!! Beautiful words, and just what...I just posted part 2 (finally 😂) of the show! I hope you enjoy :)

[@Alan_Hans__]

The way that things fit together at 1:58 makes you look so happy to announce it. In case no-one has told you this you are amazing talented. Just the quality of your TIG welds alone is enough to impress me without you gymnastic, artistic and self taught engineering skills.

[@Arken_mancer]

I feel like this is similar to a skydiver packing their own parachute. It's great seeing it come together!

[@Petch85]

designing and creating there own parachute😄

[@thea_ulrich]

haha yup - the activities are def at least siblings 💯 thx you!

[@thea_ulrich]

@@Petch85 totally true haha...when I hear it framed like that I'm like...who would be that insane?? Me, I guess 😇

[@user-ul3tl5xe2b]

Finally you are back. I'm fascinated by the combination of metalworking and acrobatic artist. Looking forward to the video of your performance at the Burning Man Festival. You're badass!

[@thea_ulrich]

Its a weird combination...and a very small club of people ha! ⚡🤘 Thanks for watching and psyched to share about the Burn with you 🔥🔥🔥

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

@@thea_ulrich you’re seriously hot, cute, flexible, funny, all things I love and I genuinely hope someday I will see you live

[@ButBigger42]

As a weld instructor it is nice seeing welds that both do the job they need to do and look good too. usually it is one or the other. And doing it on tubing no less. Mucho respecto. Sleeving that joint was definitely the right call and I like that you used aluminium.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you! As an artist I need them to look good, and as an aerialist I need them to be strong! No other option :) 💯⚡

[@queens.dee.223]

This is so so wonderful. I love when two (edit: seemingly!) wildly different passions come together. And you are so fun! When you started talking about measurements taken in You-Femurs, I was like ... but what if you were like me and your legs were different lengths!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks Becca! Aligning 'seemingly' different things together is absolutely my jam! And that is hilarious I never considered that...I am more flexible on one side than the other though which I totally have considered before when making aerial stuff for certain tricks!

[@queens.dee.223]

@@thea_ulrich The only reason I know is that one time, I was doing physical therapy with a trainee, and she was doing some measurements. Then without explanation she gets all excited and calls over her supervisor and goes, "you gotta take a look at this!" I had no idea what was going on 🤣 Turns out that my one leg is 70cm and the other is 69cm. Now I just blame as much as possible on my legs being different lengths. That's really interesting about your flexibility. Bodies are incredible and weird and wonderful all at once! If you do more areal stuff build videos, I'd be super curious how the flexibility difference influences everything.

[@Cadrid]

5:20 “I wanted the moon to hang vertically down & not be at a strange angle, so I had to level and balance it out exactly.” He may be too shy to say it, but I’m _certain_ that the Man in the Moon appreciates your efforts to design it so well hung.

[@thea_ulrich]

hahahaha 😂😏

[@EelcoPeterzen]

This is absolutely amazing and I'm glad you managed to work it out and finish it in time. Wish I could've been there at burning man to see your performance. I am enthralled by your passion.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you so much! It wqs a journey...but definitely an awesome one! You'll have to get out to the Burn for the next one! ;)

[@EelcoPeterzen]

@@thea_ulrich Wish I could. It's been on my bucketlist for years. But as a poor artist from Europe, it's highly unlikely. Sometimes the best journeys are the harder ones. I'm happy you saw it through and allow us a peak at that journey as well.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

@@thea_ulrich how long have you been an aerialist?

[@soulstromsoulstrom7562]

One recommendation for your moon sculpture. Where the aluminum meets the mild steel I would use a product like tef-gel to prevent a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals. If you notice any rust around the aluminum cut the rusted steel out and weld in fresh steel.

[@thea_ulrich]

This is a great recommendation! I've definitely been wondering how the longevity will play out...thanks!

[@HakandancesForYou]

This is a fantastic performance sculpture! Looking forward to seeing the results from the Burning Man performance.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much Hakan! It was a fun and wild experience out there, excited to share it with you soon 🔥

[@TokiNotAB]

This migfht be the coolest video on all of youtube.

[@avin2601]

This is the right time for you to get back into KZbin because the show is really making you famous

[@Hidyman]

Some cap nuts would keep you from cutting/scratching yourself if you grab or rub against the ends of those bolts.

[@thea_ulrich]

Honestly a great idea! The final bolts I used were shorter...but still it is suboptimal...I ripped my tights on them once! haha

[@EdwardIglesias]

Looks awesome! Your comment on metal stress reminded me of a lesson learned the hard way bout that. Years ago I was helping with tech on a play. We had rigged up a swing which was just pipe hanging from cables. We had the right cable and fasteners to more than handle the load. The director wanted to test it for himself and swung out very far. None of us realized that the cables were hitting a steel overhang that was fraying the cables every swing. It snapped with the director in mid air. We decided no more swinging for that show.

[@thea_ulrich]

Wooooooooowwwww...that is...definitely the hard way of learning that lesson! I hope they were ok! I can only imagine the intense moment of *everyone collectively gasping* right after it snapped 😳Yeah sharp edges are bad pretty much always in rigging and building!

[@rlaxton666]

Ah, engineering! Do all the calculations and design then break what you are building with late requirements and then iterate until it is finally good. Great to see you posting content again! Look forward to seeing the victorious performance in next week's post.

[@thea_ulrich]

Haha yup! I've never made something and not had to do at least 1 big revision due to the real world not behaving like pixels! Thanks so much :)

[@Pile_of_carbon]

Super cool design! Making mistakes when designing something teaches us how to account for the tiny details that might make or break the next thing we build. That kind of familiarity is hard to put into a textbook.

[@thea_ulrich]

10000% true! Theoretical making & design can really only get you so far - at a certain point you have to just jump in and get messy trying things out for yourself 💯🔥 thx!

[@MeArmTM]

Of all of the things to appreciate in this video, the welds look soooo good.

[@packetloss5297]

Welcome back Thea, always glad to see your madness in full creativity mode!

[@thea_ulrich]

I love being back and thanks for coming to the wild and the crazy! 😛🎪

[@JofreSteele]

1:59 Nice!

[@0utkastAngel]

She's back ! This is going to be good.

[@thea_ulrich]

Yesssssss 🔥🔥🔥

[@Kilnor]

That's awesome. I envy people who design and completely slam a project like this and make it look easy.

[@EjayMenchavez]

Oh wow! I love that it's uniquely designed and measured for you! I like the idea of an apparatus that was custom built for my body. I learned so much about your process too, thanks for sharing Thea.

[@Javierm0n0]

Yo thats a sick design, being collapsible yet still able to support a shifting weight. 100% awesome.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! Yes I learned a lot on this one...excited to keep refining the design, but honestly I'm thrilled with how it ended up working 🤘

[@WowCoolHorse]

just discovered your channel by accident and omg you are so cool !!! I hope you keep working on this channel and growing because it's great

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! I just posted part 2 of the show with the moon :) 🌙

[@bhgemini]

Loved the fix for the attachment points! Way to not give up and scrap it immediately. That step of stamping the parts too is #chefskiss

[@MrMoney331]

I know nothing of Metal work but I love seeing how happy a finished product makes you. Can't wait to hear how Burning man show went!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much Chris! No need to know anything about the specifics...it is all about getting to make things that make you happy! 😃🔥 It was a wild time at the Burn....!

[@Ben-oi6kz]

this is such a sick project! id love to see a "welding for dummies" video or similar!!

[@chrisphobia]

Man! Those sleeves are sick. Really great idea. Fair play

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks!

[@jugglerj0e]

One word for this whole video: Amazing

[@benjaminmclaws3477]

Love how self aware she is. It makes me laugh and feel inspired to try my own crazy ideas. Good luck at burning man 🔥

[@AlatheD]

OK, that moon is gorgeous. It looked like there was near zero flex when you got those sleeves on there. As odd as it may seem, I love that you were using your feet also in putting the thing together. As a barefooter, I find myself using my feet in ways that surprise other folks, but it just makes sense to me. A bare foot, with a bit of training can become like a third elbow or something slightly more efficient (I won't say hand, as most feet do not have the toe flexibility to behave like a thumb). I love watching you work these things, your emotions are palpable. Also, good heavens, those are some beautiful welds.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you so much! Love having you on the journey - def plenty of emotions and surprises! haha. I totally agree with you re feet being so useful - I have no idea how I would be able to do half the things I do if I weren't flexible/kinetically able to use my legs as a third limb sometimes 😂

[@Abishek_Muthian]

I like your zero-dependency circus performance approach i.e.Building your own contraption for your act.

[@thea_ulrich]

Hahaha yup! We get to build the world we want 💪👊🔥

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

This is the most beautiful build. Way to go!

[@kellybraille]

I love the sleeves idea! This build is incredible! 💪😊

[@unnoficialsatan741]

The crush that I have on you is not even half normal

[@NevTheDeranged]

Once again, I'm in awe of your polymathy!

[@avin2601]

I saw you with mark rober and I just want to say one thing your work in that show is best

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! So glad you liked 👊🙏

[@benander13]

So happy to see another one of your projects. Thank you for showing some of the issues and mistakes you ran into and how you were able to engineer around them. I've never finished a project exactly as I originally designed it, but the problem solving is usually my favorite part.

[@justinbanks2380]

"This feeling!" As you proceed to bend into an utterly inhuman shape 🤣 But yes, the feeling when you've finally got something to work that you've made, an amazing feeling that all makers are junkies for. Always chasing that high, lol

[@thea_ulrich]

haha that's hilarious I didn't even think of that ...maybe I spend too much time physically contorting... 😂 And so true!! Always why as soon as we finish one project we are already starting another🔥

[@Petch85]

As a Mechanical engineer I must say that it would be interesting to Analyses this structure. Maybe do a topology optimization or something. I liked you connection design... If it was pretensioned I would expect it to hold and be stiff enough, it was located in an aria where I would expect high stress and you would normally try to avoid that. But before the stiffeners you had no load path from the top "ring part" to the two bottom "inner ring parts" and then you do not get the insane area moment effect from the constructed "profile". I would have thought the added aluminum bracket would be unnecessary with the stiffening of the lifting point. Also your lifting point looks strong, normally we test with 1.25 to 2 times the load that it needs to carry. In you case you have dynamic loads from you moving and you want a stiff structure that dos not flex under your weight thus I would maybe test with 3 times the load. But what you made there looks really strong, even though the weld looks quite thin (a3) a good rule of thumb is 0.7 of the plate thickness on both side. Really cool project and video, made me think at least.👍

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks and I appreciate your thoughts! I did consider other less intense options than the sleeves, especially after the restructuring around the pick point...but given the time crunch, and also the face that I am not able to do the proper engineering analyses...I generally go for the 'overbuild...and then overbuild some more' option! I'd be super interested in seeing analyses to this structure done. Halfway through I also realized I should have staggered the joints a bit too so the flex point of the load wasn't all in one line....we learn by doing I guess!

[@Petch85]

@@thea_ulrich I know, when you have a design and you are constructing it you sometimes have to improvise a solution that is less than perfect. That is how it is, and I have implemented way more sketchy looking and way worse solutions to unforeseen problems than you aluminum sleeves. But I know the disappointing feeling when you have do adjust your plans. So I hope you will grow to love the solution over time. I did not even think about staggering the joints... To be honest I am not able to see through all the implications of staggering the joints, I think that if they are pretension and the joint is holding in pure friction it should not make much of a difference, but I might be wrong, it's a little hard to tell when I do not understand the structure that well. I should be able to do a simple FE bema model relatively fast, but for more details one might want to do a shell element model in stead, and you have a lot of load cases and it is not easy to identify the worst one for each part of the structure, thus I could end up taking more time than you spend building it. Thus it should only be to learn about a structure like that. (also you have already build it, thus a 10% better design is a little point less) The optimization would defiantly take more time, but again, for the sake of understanding a structure like that I would find it interesting. I will let you know if I give it a try, I might start out asking some friends what they think, maybe some of them have worked a lot with C shaped frame structures. (I am thinking lifting clamps for wind turbine blades or something similar.=

[@Imnoexpert69420]

2:00 nice

[@trikepilot101]

Comment to prove engagement: Rockin'

[@capnskustomworks]

Heck yes!!! Next year in BRC!

[@markfrancis1210]

Thea, you ROCK

[@kaisersozeh7845]

I'm not a welder, but that top anchor joint? Beautiful.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you! It needed to be...!! High stakes ;)

[@kaisersozeh7845]

@@thea_ulrich Concentrates the mind somewhat! Still, you could hang that job in a gallery. Top stuff, look forward to the next one.

[@GlenSanders54]

This is awesome. The moon looks great. So glad to see you uploading content again!

[@crezychameau]

So, when you want to do something - here moondancing - you're able to : research the structure, measure and design it, actually build it, troubleshoot the device, correct it, be good enough to actually use it, and organize a show where you're going to perform at a major event, which means time constraint and pressure, all the while holding a day job. And recording it for future youtube use. While in three years I still haven't tended to the hole i need to plaster in my ceiling. Your impressive efficiency is making me feel like i'm a giant lethargic slug :/

[@larst2503]

This is so cool! Can't wait for part 2.

[@robmackenzie2885]

Thanks for this Thea! I've been trying to design a special hammock hanger design and I think those collar things might work for me! Thanks for posting such great content!

[@peterepeatepete2845]

There is something ridiculously cool about someone equally comfortable with using a blowtorch and dancing in front of a crowd.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! I love bringing supposed ‘opposites’ together 💪👊⚡️ the ‘part 2’ video is up now, as well!

[@respiii]

What an awesome build!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you! 🔥👊

[@jraltwies]

Well done, Thea!

[@monik320]

Thea this is absolutely amazing… I’m so impressed ❤

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! Love that you love it :)

[@TheRealJackDagger]

Absolutely majestic and inspirational ☺️

[@volturnu]

U remember me a character from my childhood. Red Sonja. Wish to see a steampunk version. Best wishes.

[@gavooleiva6040]

Thea you are amazing!

[@JonBck]

I really love your balance between performance art and engineering. Gives such a different view on things!

[@CrudeButEfficient]

Wonderful! A snakeskin sleeve would be good for your TIG hose, to complete your snake charmer look when welding! 🤩

[@thea_ulrich]

....100% here for this idea 🐍🔥😉

[@Ifandorbut]

I just saw this featured in the trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming “Megaopolis”. I sure hope you got credited or at least consulted.

[@qwertyTRiG]

I'm so glad I found you through the Secret Santa thing.

[@thea_ulrich]

I'm so glad too! Thanks for being here :)

[@MonkeyShred]

Great to see you back with another awesome project!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! Love getting to share w yall 🔥👊

[@rubix97]

those are the neatest welds i've seen anyone do

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks!

[@Heeby-Jeebies]

I continue to love your style. Great seeing you continue to post!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! Glad you're on the ride! :)

[@LungsOutJem]

Measure twice. Cut once. Measure again. Scratch head. Measure again. Cut again. Measure again. Cut again. Wish you hadn't made that last cut. Sand and grind.

[@alimfuzzy]

Would love to see you try additive manufacturing (large scale metal 3D printing) of your project to see if it is stronger/easier.

[@thea_ulrich]

Oh yeah I would be *super* interested in trying that out! I'm hoping to get to explore more types of making like that soon!

[@scottmacs]

Love seeing the process. I’m looking forward to part two!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks Scott! Love getting to share it with ya! 👊

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

1:47 Your outfit here looks like something out of Mad Max.

[@MattHuey]

Yes! Finally a new episode!! From a Smart Engineering Girl!💯👍 With Beauty and Brains!! 🔥 ❤️ 😆 Great Video!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks Matt! Here to deliver fun content on a weird timeline that no one understands (including me!) haha 👊🔥⚡🚀

[@mahmga1]

Thea it's wonderful that you are so willing to share your dreams, art, challenges (+bumps), process, and esp. the results with us. Amazing! I noted that some of your impromptu charm, wit & sarcasm was missed in the narration, but that's easily overlooked. Keep on keepin' on!

[@thea_ulrich]

Haha thank you! And yes...this was my first video where I wasn't able to shoot wraparounds and it def changed the commentary...don't worry it's all still here ;) Onwards! 🔥🤘

[@joedoctored]

Oh wow the queens back

[@mbarr691]

Would love to see more content from you. Especially more motorcycle art. 😉😉

[@HERRIE666]

Like many others... no words for my thoughts what you do. so...... WOW

[@thea_ulrich]

Even when you don't know which words it's nice to hear words! :) Thanks so much! 🥰🔥🙏

[@cabreraman6969]

So when is the fire version coming?

[@bearsstuff]

Truly incredible!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much!

[@darianbrenner]

Always incredible!! It’s amazing what you can do ❤

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much Darian!! Love having you on the journey ❤

[@philipp594]

Those are some beautiful beads

[@therealdadoom7509]

Phenomenal build, always a treat to see a new vid by you, and just really appreciate the human aspect you bring to these projects. You may not be normal, but that's only true in the best meaning it could possibly have. Bravo!

[@thea_ulrich]

Normal is boring!! 😛 I'm psyched you liked it thanks for watching!

[@ConnorHolland]

Beautiful!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you! 🔥👊

[@DoDoENT]

Building all that after work hours, staying at 1AM in the metal shop and then at 5:30 AM in the morning already going to another metal shop for additional machining before going back to work... 😱 That's crazy!!! Do you ever sleep?

[@thea_ulrich]

NOT NEARLY ENOUGH!!!!! hahaha 🤪

[@sparktite]

Msn this is sooo cool. Wish i could go to burning man again. Is it super different now though? Sounds kinda too commercial all these years later.

[@JohnJohnson-gi2nw]

If this is mild or g300 steel, this is a whole lot of unnecessary tig work when mig should be readily available especially just for tacking . If you have the time n money though, I love it. Obviously Big props to Thea, but big props to fabrication place, that jig table is amazing and bigger than most

[@OrbitalCookie]

This is incredible, very unique maker space corner, just continue and this channel will explode :D

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! Yeah, being unique is not something I struggle with haha!...being human however is a total trip ;) Thanks for the encouragement, I love getting to share with people 👊💖🔥

[@chironbramberger]

Amazing!

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks! 😍🙏

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Wow. You rock.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thx! 🤘🔥

[@julianrichards8337]

Looks amazing

[@thea_ulrich]

Thx! 🔥☺

[@Sheithan]

Oh, right. I forgot that apart from being a kickass welder and kickass artist, you're also a kickass circus performer. You're unstoppable regardless of if I say this or not, but never stop, Thea! Edit: it looks amazing! Didn't even know it CAME APART! You've outdone yourself

[@thea_ulrich]

Thank you so much!! 😊😍👊 I just posted part 2 of the show now too! :)

[@TheCorrectiveProtocol]

Really cool Thea. I knew this was a lot of work for you but didn’t realize how much. Cool to see the process.

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much Paul! You were a such huge support during this I mean...next vid you are getting credited! Glad you can see the process instead of just hearing my tired ramblings about it ;)

[@TheCorrectiveProtocol]

@@thea_ulrich 😊❤️🙌🏽

[@Craftlngo]

I haven't seen so sexy welding seams in my whole life as a Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager

[@thea_ulrich]

Wow thank you I'm honored to hear it! I geek out about craft :)

[@Loriethalion]

That's such a cool build! Hope you enjoyed your show ^_^

[@thea_ulrich]

Thanks so much! The show was amazing, and I just posted the video all about it! Hope you enjoy 😍

[@jeremybilek-p6h]

ima live on the lake the rest of my life though down here ima make sure of that

[@GetRealwithMike]

Wow!

[@robcarnaroli269]

New freecad workbench? Ulrich scale 🙂

[@Dan-Simms]

Damn that is so cool, way to go girl, bet you had a blast at burning man!

[@thea_ulrich]

It was amazing!! And wild...you'll see soon 🔥🔥

[@Fischbroetchen2k]

10:21 Words I absolutely can relate to. Just that the first part just came in recent years :D

[@thea_ulrich]

Hahaha I assume it will ever be a bit of a back and forth cycle...😝

[@iainengland8058]

Try using a scotch brite wheel on a bench grinder for deburing and polishing, it’s fast, easy and looks good too

[@VoyagerOfTheVeil]

immaculate!

[@GetRealwithMike]

How did you become a "self-yaught" engineer? What did you study - books etc. I'm trying to do that too. Very cool.

[@JeffreyBNL]

Love the video

[@Vnigma17]

Amazing. (All I got.)