Erika Cross is a Michigan local and a holder of art and design degrees from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and The Royal College of Art. Though she still works out of her home state, her creations have garnered praise and won awards around the globe. You’ll often find her taking a hands-on design approach in the Maker Works woodshop or collaborating with other makers in our common spaces. To learn more about how she turns our community makerspace into a haven for creative experimentation, keep reading!
Erika Cross (She/Her)
Ann Arbor, MI
Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur
Erika Cross Studio
Erika’s original table design titled “Anvil”, seen here in ebonized ash, made in the Maker Works woodshop.
What can you tell us about your business, art, and areas of interest in making?
I have an independent design studio that focuses on handmade high-end sculptural furniture and objects. I work with a variety of mixed media, including a lot of MDF and wood. I also really like casting pieces in jesmonite resin.
Packing up “Anvil” (pictured above) in a custom crate to send off to a design competition. This piece was named a 2022 NYCxDESIGN AWARDS finalist!
What is your relationship to Maker Works and how did you get involved with the shop?
I first got involved with the shop as an undergrad when I began using the tools. After graduating, I gradually started using the space more and more until it became my primary workshop. Today I also have an office there as well as other rented studio and storage space.
Erika often uses the ShopBot to bring her designs to life. Sponsoring a tool like this CNC router helps other artists access the tools they need for their craft.
How has Maker Works, access to shared tools, and a shared community impacted you and helped you reach your goals?
I couldn’t do what I do without Maker Works. It’s essential to my business—there’s no way I could create the type of work I'm creating and hope to create in the future without it. As an independent entrepreneur, I wouldn’t have access to the space or funds to own tools like these on my own.
The largest of a set of Squiggles created on the ShopBot and showcased in the HOMES Campus Brewery (final product shown in the featured image on this post!)
What would you say to others about your experiences with Maker Works and what makes it a valuable part of the community?
It’s an incredible facility. The people, the tools, the resources—every part of Maker Works is amazing. And the staff there is amazing, too. Everyone has such a wonderfully diverse skill set. When you can't figure something out, there's somebody in the building who can help you.
Independent artists and designers like Erika bring immeasurable beauty and value to the world of making, but they don’t often have the capital to access the equipment and space needed to take their craft to the next level. By donating to Maker Works, you’re giving these makers a chance to bring their ideas to life.