Making Problems to Solve

Wesley Treat makes cool signs, retro-futuristic art, and shop upgrades most makers would dream of (shop elevator!?) We talked about his love of classic roadside signs, theatre, and how his work making signs and decor in Texas lead to connection with an Upstate New York Drive-In. Check out Wesley's work on Instagram and Youtube.

My guest this time is Bonnie from Vermont Print specializing in screen printed apparel with a focus on the outdoors and nature of Vermont. Bonnie learned html and web design starting by customizing MySpace pages and turned that into a career in user experience design. In her creative print work she follows a practice of "don't take yourself too seriously" and we discuss making fun art to find your audience of people who appreciate it. Check out Bonnie and Vermont Print on Instagram and her web site https://www.vermontprint.shop/

Glen gave me a lot to think about around art, creativity, craft, and paying attention. One highlight was the "Spiraling Circle of Learning". We talked about photography, high-end audio visual installations and cardboard robots along the way. Check out Glen's work on Instagram

I met Tony Rouleau at Making It 100 - and learned he was a relatively local maker and a great guy! He's well known for making quality tools such as his brass infill block plane, double squares, and bevels made in his home shop. We covered how he started making tools, his design inspiration, an mention a bunch of folks from the maker community. Learn more about Tony's work on Instagram or his web site hillviewtool.com Photo credit: Mark Adams Mentions in this episode: Andy Birkey Wes Swain Scroll Saw Scribbler Justin Christensen Jen Bower

My conversation with Ellen ranges from Heavy Metal Knitting to Conceptual Art and Tom Sachs. Ellen is always ready to learn the next thing, from spinning steel wool to forging and welding, to complete the next project ans share what she learns to help new makers. Check out Ellen on Instagram and Youtube. Photo credit Mark Adams.

This week my guest is Paul from OLIO @theolioarchive on Instagram. We talk about the makers in your community, growing up with a fix it yourself attitude, and bring your kid to work day with an engineer. Too many makers to mention in this one.

This week my guest is Sophie Glenn from Arcburn Furniture! We discussed her recreations of classic furniture designs from metal and the series Rust Never Sleeps, including textile from steel wool. We also explored her experiences teaching woodworking and metalworking. Find Sophie on Instagram

Taylor Hokanson and Rob Ray hosted the super creative Opposable Thumbs podcast which challenged the hosts and a guest to solve a creative problem every two weeks. They've taken a break from the podcast but they are still out there spreading the good word about being a creative weirdo at Columbia College and Cal State San Benardino. We learn why teaching is like being the captain of a pirate ship. Check out Taylor on Instagram and https://www.finewiththis.site/ Check out Rob at https://shimmeringtrashpile.com/ and https://kdzu.org/

This weeks guest is Justine Silva, a multidisciplinary artist and winner of Making It Season 2! She started her professional art career as an intern working on window displays at Anthropoligie, and explored residential construction as a project coordinator before getting pick to participate in the Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman show Making It on NBC. That experience led to her working behind the scenes on a future season of Making it and on Making Fun! for Netflix with some of our favorite YouTube makers. Find out what Justine is working on now on Instagram and Youtube.

I had a great conversation with woodturning and tattoo artist Rebecca DeGroot. We talked about the definition of functional art, teaching in the classroom and workshops, where Rebecca is going next, furniture as danger, and why everything is better with legs. Find Rebecca's woodworking on Instagram and also her tattoo art on Instagram.