RECENT NEWS

The MakerBarn has expanded! We rented suite 102B across the parking lot. It’s now known as The Learning Center. We have 10 computers set up on the same tables like they were in the old space. On one wall are two smart TVs and a large white board placed for the instructors to use. Additionally, we have some adjustable height tables that can be used for a variety of classes, such as electronics, crafts, or other purposes. This puts the MakerBarn square footage at around 8,000!

MakerBarn keeps growing! September saw the arrival of a large 19” Bandsaw in the Shop - you will find a description and some background on this new machine elsewhere in the newsletter. A big thank-you to George Carlson and several members who wrestled the big machine off a truck and into the shop & then hooked it up and made it operational - a big job! Our ceramics operation has grown so much in the past year. Area manager Lisa Lane and a team of members are now operating the kiln regularly and they pull amazing objects of art out of it every week.

New Equipment at The MakerBarn! We’ve got two new types of equipment for members to learn about and use. One is the Tormach 8L CNC lathe located in the CNC Mill room near the kiln area. You will need to supply your own tooling and you should watch some YouTube videos on the proper operation. Add yourself to our Slack #metalwork-machining channel. We’ll have some live demos soon.

Springtime is Here! We had a great turnout, about 30+ people, for the Spring Cleaning Day recently. The MakerBarn was a hive of activity with all those busy bees. I hope you notice the difference the next time you come in. A sincere thank you to all of you that could be there to help elevate The MakerBarn to be a better place to create. Two big events are coming up in June. Our 8th anniversary party and Summer Fun Mondays. We’re in the planning stages of a summer camp for our members’ kids! All the details including dates, ages, and activities planned will be ironed out soon. If you’re interested in leading an activity or in helping out in any way, come to the planning meeting on Thursday, May 2nd, at 2:00PM in The Lab.

Springtime is Here! We actually get remarks on how “clean” our Shop is from visitors and other members. It happens more frequently than we would expect and it’s always a bit surprising and enjoyable to hear. When you care about a place, you take care of it. That’s what’s going on here at The MakerBarn through efforts by members like you and, in large part, due to the efforts of our volunteer Shop Managers.

The DIY Spirit - Keep it Alive! I’ve been in New Zealand this month and thought I would share a relatable observation. The DIY spirit in New Zealand is deeply ingrained within the cultural fabric of the nation. Known for its resourcefulness and can-do attitude, Kiwis take pride in tackling tasks independently, whether it’s home renovations, crafting, or problem-solving. This spirit is nurtured by a combination of factors, including the country’s remote location, where access to specialized services may be limited, as well as a cultural ethos valuing self-sufficiency and creativity. From building backyard sheds to brewing craft beer, New Zealanders embrace the DIY ethos as a means of personal expression, community engagement, and sustainable living.

Who runs MakerBarn? As we begin 2024 we have lots of things going on at the Barn, but I thought I’d take a quick time out this month and answer a common question - who is the Executive Committee of The MakerBarn? The executive committee of any organization plays a crucial role in the governance and decision-making processes. It is typically composed of key executives, senior leaders, or board members, and its primary function is to provide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight to ensure the effective operation of the organization. The Board of Directors set up the structure and responsibilities of the MakerBarn by using our by-laws and 501c3 formation as a guideline.

Happy Maker New Year! Here we are in 2024. Happy New Year to you all. What a year 2023 was at MakerBarn! Let’s just try to list all the new equipment we acquired this past year; - Jewelry Punch machine - CNC Milling machine - Green Laser for Rotary Work - Horizontal Bandsaw - CNC Plasma Table - Replaced the wide belt sander with new model - Bambu Labs PIP printers (4) - A Kiln, pottery wheels and all things ceramics!