The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic changed things for a lot of makers—without access to the community spaces they were used to relying on, they had to adjust and figure out a new way of doing things. This is one of the factors that brought Thomas of Tusano Trading Co. to Maker Works. Since then he’s built new skills, grown his business, and has developed working relationships with other members at the shop. Read on to hear what he has to say about the community of creatives that makes our shop unique and why it’s such a vital resource.
Thomas Tusano (He/Him, They/Them)
Canton, MI
Woodworker & Entrepreneur
Tusano Trading Co.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Thomas Tusano. It’s an amalgam of Sano, my mother's name, and my given name, Tufts. I've always felt that I was always my own person, and never identified with one side or the other of my family, as well as wanting to keep my high school shop Nickname of T-Square(d). My preferred pronouns are He/him, but They/them is alright with me too. I'm originally from the Boston Metro area, but I now live in Canton, with hopes to buy land and settle somewhere here in the A2/Detroit area.
Reclaimed lumber ready for Thomas to transform into something new.
What can you tell us about your work and areas of interest?
My chosen medium is wood, but I love metal and reclaimed/storied materials as well. I work at what I call “Nerdery”, the space where contemporary craft meets pulp and pop culture. I like to call my process and designs “Tavernwares” and cater to enthusiasts of high fantasy, sci fi, comics, and video games (nerds; I make for nerds). Some of my biggest inspirations are epic sagas and philosophical thought pieces in video games and modern media such as Destiny, Disco Elysium, Sea of Thieves, and Hades.
What is your relationship to Maker Works and how did you get involved with the shop?
Another member of Maker Works introduced me to the shop! My relationship with Maker Works is one I would call educational. I frequently refer to myself as “The Forever Apprentice” or “The Maker Mercenary” because of how I look up to the more experienced makers who create for a living. I pay close attention, even to the makers I'm not working directly with, to see how they go about the creative process in a way that enables them to live out their dream careers, because it's something I very much want for myself.
A table constructed out of the reclaimed lumber pictured above. You’d never know it came from scrap!
I was originally working out of another makerspace and a previous employers shop. When the pandemic hit, these places closed or became a non-option policy wise, so I started seeking out somewhere I felt more comfortable working. Maker Works has an attention to detail and policies that made me feel safe, and the warm reception of the staff at Maker Works made me proud to be a part of such a purposefully welcoming and enabling community of creatives.
Cutting out a charcuterie board form on the ShopBot CNC Router.
How has Maker Works, access to shared tools, and a shared community impacted you and helped you reach your goals?
I don’t have to worry about overhead, if the shop is going to be there the next day, whether there will be maintenance performed on tools, or even if I can figure out how to do something. Instead I think about showing up, working in a shared space, and making a habit of creativity. Maker Works allows me to shut off the thoughts of “If” and focus on the “How”.
The shared community at the shop has given me access to different voices and perspectives as well as different crafts, trades, and approaches. It’s allowed me to both help and be helped, to respect and be respected, without a hierarchy of command. The one thing that permeates the culture of Maker Works is respect for agency, ability, creativity and intelligence. That’s an important mindset to foster for what I love to be doing: making art or inventions that I can obsess over with a community that appreciates it.
What would you say to others about your experiences with Maker Works and why is it a valuable part of the community?
Maker Works is invaluable to the community because when you’re in an environment like it, you have to consider yourself amongst colleagues and not care about competitors or egos. You begin to realize that all these wonderful artists make for a vibrant community to learn from.
A set of custom serving boards and coasters.
A handcrafted cutting board doing its job in the kitchen.
I’ve apprenticed under 3 or 4 different makers, received help from some, and given help to others. Each time, it led to a connection or an idea that inspired me. It’s not just the monetary gain and the economy it creates around it, it’s the community, space for respect and agency that allows people to step into what makes them stand out.
My advice for anyone approaching Maker Works or another makerspace is to open yourself up to those that you share the space with. Don’t just learn, be honest, humble and receptive, and you’ll find you’ll walk away with not only crafts, but skills and confidence as well.
Maker Works is lucky to have a community of artists, craftspeople, and hobbyists who are so dedicated to learning and growth. Spaces like this are a rarity, and your support helps keep them accessible for years to come. Thank you for your generosity throughout this fundraising journey, and keep checking back to hear more stories from our makers in the future!