Making Problems to Solve

Michele Banks makes biology and science inspired art exploring the patterns we find in nature from viruses and bacteria to animal and plant cells and even neuroscience. We talked about how you don't need to be a kid who was good at drawing to become a working artist, inspiration from science communication, and her email newsletter about the work and philosophy of making art a career. Find Michele on Instagram and Substack.

Mark Adams and Nick Toga are back and we discuss upcoming events, catch up on recent events, and widely range across maker topics. Highlights include Making it 500, AWFS Fair in Vegas, Texas Woodworking Festival, the Fitchburg Forge-in and of course, Catskill Mountain Maker Camp! Along the way we discuss monetizing knowledge, creative community, and buying stuff from makers. A plethora of mentions: Catskill Mountain Maker CampTexas Woodworking FestivalLeah AripotchJeff DuBoerSeattle Metals GuildFitchburg Forge-inLindsay ZuelichMatthew AbadiCanned Heat Glass StudiosLynn Everett Read

A solo episode, Fitchburg Forge-in announcement. a preview of just some of the awesome stuff to see at the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp, and my take on the "What is Social Media?" question posed by the Woodworking is Bullshit podcast!

Shane Bowman is my guest this week. We chat about discovering printing and graphic design, and accidentally finding a career in industrial design make point-of-purchase product displays. He wanted to make a case for a favorite pen and to his surprise that started his love of leather craft. Next he saw some custom leather hardware, and found a way to make his own, and to provide that for the wider maker community. Follow Shane on Instagram

Chelsea Witt has recently been appointed the Executive Director of The Chairmaker's Toolbox whose mission is "Increasing access and equity in the field of chairmaking. Founded by & for under-represented woodworkers & chair nerds". We chat about Chelsea's journey from and interest in art, and taking pre-med classes on way to becoming a surgeon, to the pivot to woodworking, and in building the woodworking community through education. Check out Chelsea on Instagram and their web site. The Chairmaker's Toolbox

Kellan Moss from @dirtmossart shares how she discovered the field of medical and scientific illustration and the interesting places it has taken her, including a geology research ship. From geological cores we move on to why making art is good for you, and the value of bad art. Learn more about Kellan's work on Instagram

Steve from @haybudden is here and we cover how he got the amazing username "Haybudden" and how he discovered his love of blacksmithing and making things with metal. We chat a bunch about how the New England Blacksmiths fit into the maker community and also a bit about how great Pat Quinn and the Center for Metals are. Don't miss Field of Tools August 8-10 at the Blackthorne Resort. Follow Steve on Instagram. Check out the New England BlacksmithsLearn something at the Center for Metal ArtsPhoto by Mark Adams Pictures

In which I record a single take stream of consciousness this time on the subject of curiosity. What is it? Are scientists studying it, and what does it mean for our band of creative weirdos. I don't answer these questions, but I sort of talk about the subject around it. Inspired by Keith Sawyer and Scott Thorp on the Science of Creativity Podcast. Read Learning to See by Keith SawyerCheck out the Working Hands Podcast with Trevor HigginsRead The Wild Dark - Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light by Craig Childs(no affiliate links but check these things out!)

Caitlin was drawn to the ornamental ironwork as a kid and re-ignited that passion as an adult searching for a hobby. From there she discovered the joy of blacksmithing and the idea of sharing the craft with a school was born! It took some time, but now Caitlin created a school and has been sharing what she has learned for years. We discuss Caitlin's journey and some of what she learned from her students about teaching. Caitlin is a founding member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths and we discuss their mission of supporting equity, diversity, and accessibility in blacksmithing. Check out The Society of Inclusive BlacksmithsCheck out Ms. Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing

Dan Peterson is making quilts, with a little math. We go over Dan's journey to quilting, and I try to remember what an irrational number is, so I can pick my favorite one! Along the way we cover tetris, sudoku, lava lamp security, and a lot, a real lot of squares. There's an interesting bit on what it means to seek mastery in a field. I met Dan on Xyla Foxlin's Patreon discord, and we discuss what a great community it is. Check out Dan on Instagram and Youtube.