

Making Problems to Solve
Dave Bauer
Exploring the unique paths of creative weirdos through the connections of curiosity, creativity, and problem solving.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2026 • 50min
Notebooks - Maker Camp with Andrew Stanfield
Andrew Stanfield is a maker and part of the Storyteller’s Tavern podcast. This week we chat about his Maker Camp story from participant to demonstrator! Andrew is the latest addition to the printing tent at Maker Camp, helping folks maker custom notebooks from Ryan’s posters, or a hand carved stamp. We talk about why it’s important to take time to sketch and capture ideas in your notebook, and why it’s cool to give away some of your work, to build a community.

Oct 8, 2026 • 41min
Preparing for Maker Camp with Adam from Uncle Sam Metalworks
A quick chat with Adam from Uncle Sam Metalworks as we prepare for Maker Camp. We get a little maker history, with a side of problem-solving, and a preview of what Adam will be sharing at Maker Camp.

Oct 1, 2026 • 43min
Breaking Glass with Erin Glassworks
This week I chatted with Erin about how she discovered, and then rediscovered the joy of making stained glass art. We explored how the little details in the glass can make something special, and her experience at the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp.

Sep 24, 2026 • 59min
Making Sparks and Sawdust with Papa Chad
This week I chat with Chad about finding the maker community, WorkbenchCon, Maker Camp, and how he created the Sparks and Sawdust event. Of course we also cover always trying to learn something new.

Sep 17, 2026 • 56min
Past and Future Maker Camp with Patti and Trevor
Trevor and Patti are back to chat about impromptu Maker Camp collaborations, and our upcoming activities in the Blacksmithing, Sewing, and Printing tents.

Sep 10, 2026 • 55min
What I did over the summer with Keith from Blackthorne Concepts
Keith Drennan is back! Long time podcast supporter and dare I say friend, is here to chat about what happened in the northeast maker world this summer, and a bit about finding your way, unintentionally.
I took a break so why not call this Season 2!?
If you enjoy the show, please share it with a friend, and if you have something to say, leave us a review!

Jun 18, 2026 • 54min
Sarah Windisch - Printmaking, Music, Libraries
Sarah Windisch is a printmaker and former music teacher, making art to bring folks joy. We chat about how she went from elementary music teacher to printmaker, and how her work was featured on a billboard promoting the local library. Along the way we cover robots, analog coding and quilting.
Check out Sarah’s work on Instagram and her web site.

May 14, 2026 • 1h 2min
More is Not Better with Mark and Nick
Mark Adams and Nick Toga are back and we go all over the place. We talk about how AI is affecting artists, and chat about historic ways artists have negotiated making their way through the world as artists inspired by the Mason Currey book “Making Art and Making a Living”. This inspires topics such as being honest and open, using your voice, and creative mischief. Stick around for a bit of encouragement at the end!
Check out Mark Adams on Instagram
Check out Nick on Instagram

May 7, 2026 • 59min
Olivia Van Oot - Quilt Patterned Wood
Olivia Van Oot is a woodworker exploring quilt patterns in wood veneer. We learn about why craft schools are so important, how she discovered woodworking, and combined her experience with fabric to making quilt-inspired wood projects, lamps, furniture, and a wood dress.
Check out Olivia’s work on Instagram and her web site.

Apr 23, 2026 • 1h 10min
Aesthetic over arithmetic - Group Forge with Trevor and Patti
Trevor is back with Patti Gilstrap to recap and chat about our experience at the Maker Camp Group Forge. The group forge event is a collaborative learning experience where a bunch of folks of varying levels of experience work together to bring a vision into reality over a weekend. This year’s project was an approximately 10 foot tall steel weathervane adorned with copper accents. We discuss as usual, the process, and the unique property of undo when working with hot metal.
Thanks to Chris Cash and Matt Harris for leading the event and Curtis Bohn for sharing his metal forming tips.


