Making Problems to Solve

This week I talked to Brandy Aubé, a welder, fabricator, metal artist, maker, and singer in Classic Rock band from Louisiana. We discussed her history of metal working, including product design of her metal hoop frames, and the Voz. We also covered her history as an art teacher, teaching at Maker Camp, meeting makers at Workbench Con and the excitement of being a tool tech at Make 48 events. Check out Brandy's work on Instagram and her web site studio-aube.com. Mentions in this episode: April Wilkerson Ethan Carter Katie Freeman Jimmy Diresta Make48 Lincoln Electric Justin Mabie

This week I was joined by Laura Kampf and Jimmy Diresta, two of my biggest influences in how to think about creativity, to talk about embracing imperfections and the way defects can help to tell the story behind an object. We cover everything from ants to automatic knives, and using the mistakes we make to show the personality behind the project. Laura discovers a new metaphor for problem-solving. Mentions in this episode: Andy Birkey David Waelder Grant Alexander Austin Handel and the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp

From his start filming for the music industry in LA, to capturing the nuance of Paul Jackman, Justin Mabie has developed a compelling documentary style that finds  story behind the maker. We talked about creating the story in the edit and discover of new fields of navigating humans, or social problem solving, making your subject comfortable and getting them to tell a good story. As has become typical, we talk about building your maker community, from national maker events, to your local maker meetup.  Mentions in this episode: Paul Jackman April Wilkerson Total Boat Erin Longgellow Jimmy Diresta Austin Handel and the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp WorkbenchCon Calavera Tool Works Jason Hibbs Sam Raimondi

Shane Mooney is woodworker, exploring the artistic side of making, with a love for wildlife, nature, and vintage cast iron. From leatherwork, to welding table bases, to band saw magic, Shane is always learning something new.  Find Shane on Instagram. Photo credit Mark Adams Mentions in this episode:  Jimmy Diresta Kathrina Nellis Tracey Cheuvront Fernando Gary LaGuardia Make Something Steve Ramsey I Like to Make Stuff

Hey folks, thanks to Barefoot Finn for letting me know the audio was a bit mixed up about halfway through, that's fixed! George Hrab has a wide ranging musical career, playing percussion with the Philadelphia Funk Authority for 20 years, releasing 6 studio albums (with the 7th on the way) and exploring critical thinking and comedy on over 800 episodes of the Geologic Podcast (contains 0% geology). We explore the extreme competence on display in Star Trek: TNG, the wonderful problem-solving on Repair Shop, and how deadlines and limitations can help creativity.  You can hear George's upcoming album TERPSICHORE April 22, 2023 at the Ice House in Bethlehem, PA! Check out georgehrab.com geologicpodcast.com 

This week I talked to Christy Rivera about getting started and learning along the way. Christy started out learning about DIY home and auto repairs, and she's always interested in learning more whether it's about house history, plaster coating technology or the coolness of tartigrades.  Find Christy on Instragram  Mentions in this episode: Erik Curtis Joanie Sprague Lindsay Zuelich

This week my guest is Heidi Jacobs from Whitehall Pottery. We discuss her start in a maker family, journey through art school, to a production pottery studio. Heidi studied sculpture in college, and learned the value of learning a craft whether it's welding or woodworking.  Find Heidi on Instagram and Youtube, including the Virtual Craft Fair. Mentions in this episode: Ben Jacobs - Slap Stuff Together Joe Thompson - Old Forge Creations Tim Cunningham - The Urban Forge Franco Nocce Carl Jacobson Jamie Page Laura Kampf Fools with Tools Podcast - Brett, Al, Steve The Redsmith Karoline Hinz Jessie Uyeda

Steph from Uncommon Outpost started out building and creating things as a kid, learned construction volunteering for Habitat for Humanity with her dad, and learned confidence for problem-solving along the way. We talk about her experience in art school, and her experience in non-traditional marketing for bar promotions lead to a career in industrial maintenance, product development and marketing with Wall Control. We learn about Free Art Fridays and Game of Shrooms, a worldwide art event.  Mentions in the show: Mark Adams Pictures Jessie Uyeda Brittany Bailey

I had a great chat with Ruth Amos, inventor and engineer, of Kids Invent Stuff. Ruth says she loves to "bring to life, the weird and wonderful", so I had to talk to her. We talked about Ruth's history in creative expression from lego, to theater and home videos, and he effects these foundations have on her creative career today.  Follow Ruth on her Instagram and YouTube as well as Kids Invent Stuff on Instagram and Youtube.  Mentions Shawn Brown Makers Waffle

I am happy to call Rob Rojas a friend. We met at Jimmy Diresta's shop shortly after he restored an antique camel-back drill press. He focuses on improving his woodworking skills and collecting a variety of tools to support that journey. He is never limited to learning just one thing, an we talk a bit about what the future might hold. Don't forget to check out his profile by K+S Precision Metals and his video on making the ice-pick launcher! You can find Rob on Instagram and Youtube.  Mentions in this episode Jimmy Diresta Chris from Cowdog Craftworks Anne of all Trades Tony Rouleau