Making Problems to Solve

My guest is Jill Jacobs, metal artist. She makes metal "vessels" by combining repeating shapes from uniform steel rods in unique combinations to create 3-D forms. Our conversation ranged from art to philosophy, and of course, the community of creative people who share what they do. Learn more about Jill's work on Instagram,her web site, as well as her Patreon where you can see behind the scenes and some thoughts on art and philosophy.

Dave Miao - 3D DDIY Dave - is well known for his Maker Scans project, 3D scanning makers and making those files available. He started out focused on photography, and now explores the ways to combine traditional materials with 3D printing. He's always learning and sharing what he learns. Check out Dave on Instagram or download your favorite maker from the Maker Scans Project.

Tiffany Marchand from Nightcarver Designs has been creating for as long as she can remember, from helping her parents at craft shows to her unique painted carved signs, and multiple podcasts! Tiff is a great supporter of the maker community and has recently begun teaching power carving. Check out her work on Instagram and her podcast Maker Conversations.

This episode I had the pleasure of talking to Larissa Huff, who you may know from the Call Me Mabie Maker Documentary about her work. Larissa wanted to teach and help people understand practical applications for math, and along the way discovered one of the best ways to use math in woodworking and furniture making. Now along with commission work she explores the personal connections in her work as well as combining geometric precision with organic curves. Check out her work on Instagram. Photo credit to the inimitable Mark Adams.

Logan Needham is all about a mindset of creativity and wonder! We explore his home school experience, and his path from making music in a rock band through advertising, programming, sign making, to becoming a full time creative problem-solver! Logan's maker motto is "Do Hard Things". His journey was so interesting we are going to need to circle back and cover that in another episode! Check out Logan on Instagram.

Scot from Crabtree Creative caught my eye with his amazing tribute to Wesley Treat's Makers Welcome sign. He put everything he has learned in the sign business into the creation. His blend of design skills with fabrication makes for some impressive work! Check out Scot on Instagram

I had a fun chat with Alma from Pink Soul Studios. She's been solving problems for her family by making furniture, toys, and whatever else she can imagine, mostly from wood. She actually found the maker community accidentally after sharing her projects with family on social media. There's also a fun bit about motorcycles! Check out Alma on Instagram and her web site.

Char Miller-King, known as Woodenmaven - is your friendly shop teacher, has been learning woodworking, and sharing what she knows since she started by DIYing a platform bed she wanted, but couldn't afford at the time. Now she shares her love of woodworking with kids and adults at the Decatur Makers makerspace, online, and on TV. Check out her work on Instagram and her website.

John Grassey started woodworking like so many of us, to fill a need a home, and with an attitude of "I think I can do that!" He started out on the creative side of theatre and moved into stage management before a side trip to software product management, for theatre. Lately he's been exploring the creativity of the written word and completed a 30 day writing project! Check out John on Instagram and his web site www.boonislandoriginals.com

I had a great conversation with Bernie Solo, Artist, Designer, Sometimes Inventor, and Problem-Solving Maker of Things. You might know him from his fire-breathing zombie fighting circular as seen on YouTube or in person at Maker Camp, or his fidget invention the Sprok-it, or his CNC lamp carving saw. We talked about finding patterns in nature, functional inspiration and always adding to your toolbox of skills. Find Bernie on Instagram and YouTube. Mentions in episode