Josh Williams
Open House Wrap + New Classes!
Open House Wrap + New Classes!
Makerspace
Josh Williams
Open House Oct. 13th + New Tracks + Last Chance ...
Open House Oct. 13th + New Tracks + Last Chance Wood Carving & Member Projects!!
Makerspace
Josh Williams
Wood carving, sewing maintenance, wood track, ...
Wood carving, sewing maintenance, wood track, laser projects and more!
Makerspace
Josh Williams
NEW Laser Shop Fab Track! Thank you Ella, ...
NEW Laser Shop Fab Track! Thank you Ella, Daniel, and Ben! Clean-up + Pizza & Game Night
Makerspace
Josh Williams
FREE Activities, New Metal Shop Fab Track, ...
FREE Activities, New Metal Shop Fab Track, Clean-up + Pizza & Game Night

Makerspace

Open House Oct. 13th + New Tracks + Last Chance Wood Carving & Member Projects!!

Join us for our 13th Anniversary Open House on Sunday, October 13th! Please help spread the word via this link.

We're opening up another Metal Shop Fab Track and a brand new Textiles Track, and registration closes this week for the Intro to Wood Carving course!

Join us at Tech Trek on Sep. 27th with The Future Innovators Academy, and Sep. 29th at the Zero Waste Fall Festival at Kiwanis!

Finally, our next Shop Improvement + Game Night is Saturday, Oct. 5th!

Read on for details, and thank you for being a part of our community!

Join us for an epic afternoon of tool demonstrations, fantastic member projects, and tours through the entire shop!

THREE BIG ASKS!

1. Register for the event! Say hello, collect a coin, maybe a Maker Works' giveaway (you'll have to attend to find out!), and learn about new upcoming programming!

2. Volunteer! We're looking for a few people that can demo some tools or help offer tours (You'll have a guide) : ).

3. Share this event with that person you know that's been meaning to see the shop, or a company interested in sponsoring : ).

Class Tracks in Wood, Metal, and Textiles!

Wood Carving Track
Sundays 9/29 - 11/03

Registration Ends 9/19! Dive into the transformative art of wood carving with expert sculptor Mike Kapetan across six sessions in our quiet morning woodshop!

Metal Shop Fab Track
Sundays 10/13 - 11/03

Open the doors and get comfortable with basic metal fabrication via welding, plasma cutting, drilling, punching, grinding and more in this four part series.

Textiles Track
Saturdays 10/19 - 11/09

Learn to use the most popular textiles tools: The Bernina Active, Consew Industrial Sewing Machine, and CNC Amaya Embroidery to customize a classic canvas zipper bag!

Member Project Spotlight

Project ready for delivery!

A few weeks ago the shiny basketball on the right was a solid cube of aluminum. High school student Elliot learned a number of processes from Fusion 360 CAD and CAM to 3D Printing and operating the Tormach CNC Mill. And just a little bit of buffing : ) Nicely done Elliot!

The resources at Maker Works are invaluable, people are capable of doing amazing things when they have access. Thanks to all of you who have helped support Maker Works, and thus students like Elliot!

What's Elliot's next project?

A couple different setup operations on the Tormach CNC Mill

Do you like shiny? 

Upcoming Activities

Tech Trek
Friday, Sep. 27

The Future Innovators Academy has invited us to join their booth at A2 Tech Trek. Come check out the hundreds of participating tech organizations from Ann Arbor all in one place!

Zero Waste Festival
Sunday Sep. 29th

Join us at the Zero Waste Festival at Kiwanis! We'll be there running repair demos, converting old shirts to shopping bags, running upholstery demos, and promoting tool use!

Got Kids?
Starts This Week!

The Future Innovators Academy fall workshops start THIS week! Robotics, LEGO Robotics, Coding, Digital Art, Game Design and a whole lot more.

Whether you're interested in helping keep the shop clean, help repair community items, introduce household tools to young adults, want to help demo a tool, run a tour, mend some clothes, we've got a number of friendly options. Learn more, and sign up here!

FREE: Tours, Classes, and Repairs!
Thank you Kiwanis!

Free Tours

Last year Maker Works ran over 150 free tours of the shop. Over the next 12 months we're hoping to double that with support from Kiwanis!

Take a tour as an individual, or request one for your group!

Free household tools class

Maker Works offers an 'Intro to Intro to Household Tools' workshop that typically costs $80 / person. With support from Kiwanis we're able to provide free access for individuals, and make them available on request for groups!

Free Repairs

We estimate over 100 household items were repaired last year. Saving money, reducing waste, and emphasizing repair! Thanks to Kiwanis, we're able to continue running this activity every third Friday of the month!

These opportunities happen thanks to Kiwanis and the volunteers that help! Find out how you can volunteer here, or sign up to be notified about volunteering here!

Cleaning, Pizza, and Game Night
Saturday, September 7th!

A huge THANK YOU to the dozen people that came out in September to improve the Metal Shop, let’s do it again!

Shop Cleanup!

It's time for a clean-up in the loading dock! Join us 4pm - 6pm on Saturday, October 5th to get dirty and clean-up the Wood Shop.

Sign up here!

Pizza!

We were told that offering pizza increases the likelihood you will sign up to help clean shop!

Rumor has it there may be BBQ as well : )

Game Night!

4pm - 11pm, all ages, all are welcome!

Bring and share a game and snacks, or take advantage of Randy's impressive library. Free and open to all ages!

September Classes and Beyond!

Classes are posted on the website through September! Ready to learn? No membership required!

  1. Choose your class and sign up today.

  2. Don't see a date that works for you? Use the 'Request a Class' button to let us know your availability and we'll match you up with an instructor!

What's YOUR favorite online resource?

Thanks to your feedback, we had some nice additions and updates to our semi-hidden Materials & Resources page!

Next up, tell us your favorite online resource for information! Web sites, articles, youtube channels, tiktok videos, etc. Let us know!

Thank YOU Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor!

Thanks to a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, Maker Works is able to:

Kiwanis has been a huge resource to the Ann Arbor community and beyond for over 100 years. We are thrilled to have their support!

As always, you can also support shared access to resources by:

  1. Taking a class or starting a membership!

  2. Making a contribution today!

  3. Sharing this newsletter with someone you know

New sponsorship opportunities to support the shop are coming soon, let me know if you'd like to be first to know!

Thank you!

Josh Williams

Wood carving, sewing maintenance, wood track, laser projects and more!

We have some fantastic new workshops to announce. Our last instance of these all filled quickly! Also, the shop will be closed on Labor Day (Monday, Sep. 2nd).

Thank you for being a part of our shop!

Mike Kapetan, a master sculptor with an extensive background in the academic, spiritual, and scientific realms of art, brings his knowledge and passion to this six part workshop.

This deep dive into Wood Carving will include the tools you need to get started, the knowledge to use and maintain them effectively, and two projects you'll work on and take home with you!

Barbara Keys of Sewing Crazy is joining us for an afternoon to help you learn to maintain your sewing machine!

Cleaning, oiling, and troubleshooting minor problems will be covered.

This is a hands-on, bring your (working) sewing machine and everything needed to run it (power cord, bobbin, etc). 

Join Ella in a four-part, hands-on series designed to safely introduce you to the most popular tools in our wood shop. With each tool we'll follow up with steps for you to build a classic, three legged milk stool!

Whether you're a beginner eager to learn new skills or an experienced woodworker seeking access to these tools, this series offers something for everyone.

Limited to just three participants, this series ensures personalized attention and hands-on learning!

Join Nova and Pam in a hands-on, four-part series designed to teach you to safely use the most popular tool at Maker Works! Beginners and existing users will get a fantastic onboarding learning the 50 Watt Epilog Laser AND a number of accompanying tools and materials!

Day 1: Get checked out on the laser and create a custom hardwood version of our classic 5" ruler.

Day 2: Learn the rotary tool and media blaster to customize your own drinking glass.

Day 3: Create a custom (bring your own photo) wood puzzle and learn the value of a good mask!

Day 4: Explore box making software and create a custom engraved box.

Four projects, plus a month membership to use the tools beyond the class! Class runs Sundays 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, Sep. 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

Limited to just six people - register here!

Whether you're interested in helping keep the shop clean, help repair community items, introduce household tools to young adults, or prepare a thousand car bodies for The Great Maker Race, we've got a number of friendly options. Learn more, and sign up here!

A huge thank you to Annick for helping teach our Household Tools workshop, and all the amazing volunteers at Fix-It-Friday!

FREE: Tours, Classes, and Repairs!
Thank you Kiwanis!

Free Tours

Last year Maker Works ran over 150 free tours of the shop. Over the next 12 months we're hoping to double that with support from Kiwanis!

Take a tour as an individual, or request one for your group!

Free household tools class

Maker Works offers an 'Intro to Intro to Household Tools' workshop that typically costs $80 / person. With support from Kiwanis we're able to provide free access for individuals, and make them available on request for groups!

Free Repairs

We estimate over 100 household items were repaired last year. Saving money, reducing waste, and emphasizing repair! Thanks to Kiwanis, we're able to continue running this activity every third Friday of the month!

These opportunities happen thanks to Kiwanis and the volunteers that help! Find out how you can volunteer here, or sign up to be notified about volunteering here!

Cleaning, Pizza, and Game Night
Saturday, September 7th!

A huge THANK YOU to the dozen people that came out in August to improve the loading dock, and Three Little Piggies BBQ for providing some seriously delicious food. Let's do it again!

Shop Cleanup!

It's time for a clean-up in the loading dock! Join us 4pm - 6pm on Saturday, September 7th to get dirty and clean-up the Metal Shop.

Sign up here!

Pizza!

We were told that offering pizza increases the likelihood you will sign up to help clean shop!

Rumor has it there may be BBQ as well : )

Game Night!

4pm - 11pm, all ages, all are welcome!

Bring and share a game and snacks, or take advantage of Randy's impressive library. Free and open to all ages!

September Classes and Beyond!

Classes are posted on the website through September! Ready to learn? No membership required!

  1. Choose your class and sign up today.

  2. Don't see a date that works for you? Use the 'Request a Class' button to let us know your availability and we'll match you up with an instructor!

What's YOUR favorite online resource?

Thanks to your feedback, we had some nice additions and updates to our semi-hidden Materials & Resources page!

Next up, tell us your favorite online resource for information! Web sites, articles, youtube channels, tiktok videos, etc. Let us know!

Thank YOU Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor!

Thanks to a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, Maker Works is able to:

Kiwanis has been a huge resource to the Ann Arbor community and beyond for over 100 years. We are thrilled to have their support!

As always, you can also support shared access to resources by:

  1. Taking a class or starting a membership!

  2. Making a contribution today!

  3. Sharing this newsletter with someone you know

New sponsorship opportunities to support the shop are coming soon, let me know if you'd like to be first to know!

Thank you!

Josh Williams

NEW Laser Shop Fab Track! Thank you Ella, Daniel, and Ben! Clean-up + Pizza & Game Night

We're excited and a little sad about this update!

We're launching a new Laser Engraver Project Track featuring four different projects.

Ella, Daniel, and Ben are moving onto bigger things, they are going to be missed!

Our most recent Shop Improvement + Game Day was a huge success, and we've been having a fantastic turnout with the Kiwanis sponsored (free) Household Tools class, Fix-It-Friday events, and Tours.

Read on for details, and thank you for being a part of our community!

Join Nova and Pam in a hands-on, four-part series designed to teach you to safely use the most popular tool at Maker Works! Beginners and existing users will get a fantastic onboarding learning the 50 Watt Epilog Laser AND a number of accompanying tools and materials!

Day 1: Get checked out on the laser and create a custom hardwood version of our classic 5" ruler.

Day 2: Learn the rotary tool and media blaster to customize your own drinking glass.

Day 3: Create a custom (bring your own photo) wood puzzle and learn the value of a good mask!

Day 4: Explore box making software and create a custom engraved box.

Four projects, plus a month membership to use the tools beyond the class! Class runs Sundays 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, Sep. 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

Limited to just six people - register here!

thank you ella, daniel, and ben!

The staff at Maker Works provide an amazing experience for all. While we're always sad to see staff go, we are excited to see them move towards bigger and better things. Thank you so much Ella, Daniel, and Ben!

If there was an award for fastest learner, Ella would have it. In a little over a year she became proficient in, and taught classes on just about every woodshop tool. We're excited to see her move on to a fantastic new job that will greatly benefit from her skill and focus!

Daniel's been a wonderful part of the shop. From developing video games, and building motorcycles, to welding his way through an iridescent powder coated cat-tastic world. He's ready for The Big University, but we're not sure his roommates are ready for him : )

Ben has been a member at Maker Works with the Zebrotics FIRST Robotics Team for over a year. When he offered to volunteer with us for the summer we couldn't say no! While school beckons him away from us, his improvements around the shop will continue to serve many.

Free: Tours, Classes, and Repairs!
Thank you Kiwanis!

Free Tours

Last year Maker Works ran over 150 free tours of the shop. Over the next 12 months we're hoping to double that with support from Kiwanis!

Take a tour as an individual, or request one for your group!

Free household tools class

Maker Works offers an 'Intro to Intro to Household Tools' workshop that typically costs $80 / person. With support from Kiwanis we're able to provide free access for individuals, and make them available on request for groups!

Free Repairs

We estimate over 100 household items were repaired last year. Saving money, reducing waste, and emphasizing repair! Thanks to Kiwanis, we're able to continue running this activity every third Friday of the month!

These opportunities happen thanks to Kiwanis and the volunteers that help! Find out how you can volunteer here, or sign up to be notified about volunteering here!

Cleaning, Pizza, and Game Night
Saturday, september 7th!

A huge THANK YOU to the dozen people that came out in August to improve the loading dock, and Three Little Piggies BBQ for providing some seriously delicious food. Let's do it again!

Shop Cleanup!

It's time for a clean-up in the loading dock! Join us 4pm - 6pm on Saturday, September 7th to get dirty and clean-up the Metal Shop.

Sign up here!

Pizza!

We were told that offering pizza increases the likelihood you will sign up to help clean shop!

Rumor has it there may be BBQ as well : )

Game Night!

4pm - 11pm, all ages, all are welcome!

Bring and share a game and snacks, or take advantage of Randy's impressive library. Free and open to all ages!

september CLASSES AND BEYOND

Classes are posted on the website through July! Ready to learn? No membership required!

  1. Choose your class and sign up today.

  2. Don't see a date that works for you? Use the 'Request a Class' button to let us know your availability and we'll match you up with an instructor!

What's YOUR favorite online resource?

Thanks to your feedback, we had some nice additions and updates to our semi-hidden Materials & Resources page!

Next up, tell us your favorite online resource for information! Web sites, articles, youtube channels, tiktok videos, etc. Let us know!

Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor

Thanks to a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, Maker Works is able to:

Kiwanis has been a huge resource to the Ann Arbor community and beyond for over 100 years. We are thrilled to have their support!

As always, you can also support shared access to resources by:

  1. Taking a class or starting a membership!

  2. Making a contribution today!

  3. Sharing this newsletter with someone you know

New sponsorship opportunities to support the shop are coming soon, let me know if you'd like to be first to know!

Thank you!

Josh Williams

FREE Activities, New Metal Shop Fab Track, Clean-up + Pizza & Game Night

Hey hey!

Exciting news, we’re able to offer free: Tours, Household Tool Workshops, and Fix-It-Friday repair events thanks to a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation!

We've JUST launched our latest class track for the Metal Shop. Learn how to operate ten of the most popular metal shop tools in four sessions this September!

Last, we're starting a monthly shop clean-up day, coinciding with Game Night! Join us Saturday, August 10th from 4pm - 6pm to clean and organize the loading dock. Stick around after for pizza and tabletop games!

Read on for details, and thank you for being a part of our community of making!

Free: Tours, Classes, and Repairs!
Thank you Kiwanis!

Free Tours

Last year Maker Works ran over 150 free tours of the shop. Over the next 12 months we're hoping to double that with support from Kiwanis!

Take a tour as an individual, or request one for your group!

Free household tools class

Maker Works offers an 'Intro to Intro to Household Tools' workshop that typically costs $80 / person. With support from Kiwanis we're able to provide free access for individuals, and make them available on request for groups!

Free Repairs

We estimate over 100 household items were repaired last year. Saving money, reducing waste, and emphasizing repair! Thanks to Kiwanis, we're able to continue running this activity every third Friday of the month!

These opportunities happen thanks to Kiwanis and the volunteers that help! Find out how you can volunteer here, or sign up to be notified about volunteering here!

Join Eric and Randy in a hands-on, four-part series designed to teach you to safely use ten of the most popular fabrication tools in the metal shop. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn new skills or an experienced metal fabricator seeking access to these tools, this series offers something for everyone.

We'll get you up to speed on everything from MIG/TIG Welding to the Drill Press, Bandsaw, Abrasive equipment, Plasma Cutter and more!

Additional time with instructors gives you an opportunity to ask questions about your own projects, or where to start!

Class runs Sundays 9am - 12pm Sep. 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

Limited to just four people - register here!

Cleaning, Pizza, and Game Night
Saturday, August 10th!

Shop Cleanup!

It's time for a clean-up in the loading dock! Join us 4pm - 6pm on Saturday, August 10th to get dirty and clean-up the loading dock.

We'll tackle a different shop area each month.

Sign up here!

Pizza!

We were told that offering pizza would increase the likelihood you would sign up and come out to help clean shop!

We promise the pizza won't be made using AI. This time.

Game Night!

Open to all (even if you don't help clean : ) from 4pm - 11pm.

Bring and share your own game and snacks, or take advantage of Randy's impressive library. Free and open to all ages!

august CLASSES AND BEYOND

Classes are posted on the website through July! Ready to learn? No membership required!

  1. Choose your class and sign up today.

  2. Don't see a date that works for you? Use the 'Request a Class' button to let us know your availability and we'll match you up with an instructor!

What's YOUR favorite local resource?

Maker Works has a semi-hidden Materials & Resources page here.

Have a suggestion? We'd love to hear! While local resources are ideal, we're happy to hear about online options as well. Whether it's an amazing discount fabric store, hidden electronics shop, or a place with all the weird components you can't get at the traditional big-box store.

Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor

Thanks to a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, Maker Works is able to:

Kiwanis has been a huge resource to the Ann Arbor community and beyond for over 100 years. We are thrilled to have their support!

As always, you can also support shared access to resources by:

  1. Taking a class or starting a membership!

  2. Making a contribution today!

  3. Sharing this newsletter with someone you know

New sponsorship opportunities to support the shop are coming soon, let me know if you'd like to be first to know!

Thank you!

Josh Williams

July Updates: Mamas and Lasers, Tables for Good, Sunday Artisan Market!

More details below the fold! We're Laser Engraving Pint Glasses with The Mamas Network on Friday, July 26th.

Thomas Tusano just finished a table for The Bungie Foundation that's raising money for good and looks phenomenal!

We're starting to table at the Sunday Artisan Market! Let us know if you would like to join us!

Finally, we have just two slots left in our CNC Make & Take (use the code CNC49BLOG), and click on if you'd like to be notified about the next CNC Weekend or Woodshop Track class!

The Mamas Network exists to build a ​vibrant and supportive community so that no mama ​feels alone in their journey through motherhood.

This Friday that means heading out to Maker Works to custom laser engrave pint glasses before heading out for an evening at the Mothfire Brewing Co. : )

Are you a mom, or know a mom? Check out the Mamas Network website and the July 26th event at Maker Works!

Thomas Tusano came to the shop a little over a year ago already familiar with most of the tools, it's been a joy to see the range of work he brings in. You'll find him in the woodshop just about every day working to fulfill orders for his business, but he also dedicates a significant amount of time working on projects that give back.

His latest project is a 'Dreaming City Coffee Table' for The Bungie Foundation - yes that video game company. Creators of 'Halo' and 'Destiny', which you may have heard about. The photos don't do the pearlescent finish justice, or show the beautiful play of light that passes through the engraving and onto the undersurface. Up for auction 'til 5pm on July 25th!

table with us at

the Sunday Artisan Market

Last weekend Elvira joined us at the Sunday Artisan Market to both help raise awareness about the shop and showcase some of her own work. (Thank you Elvira!) The Market is a fantastic place for artists to showcase their work.

We're setting up dates to table there again and would love for you to join us! We provide all the setup along with a partner to hang out with. Whether you're looking to support the shop, or want to promote your work, we would love to hang out with you. Let us know when you're available!

Build and take home your own CNC Machine! Join Maker Works' instructor Leena for a full day guided build of your own personal 3018 CNC Router. This lightweight router is great for cutting and engraving wood and plastic.

The class is a fantastic introduction to the world of CNC. Leena will walk you through the wiring, mechanics, and software from start to finish, and you get to take home your own CNC Router!

Feel free to bring a build buddy, but register soon — just four spots! Use the early bird discount code 'CNC49BLOG' to bring the price down to $449!

august CLASSES AND BEYOND

Classes are posted on the website through July! Ready to learn? No membership required!

  1. Choose your class and sign up today.

  2. Don't see a date that works for you? Use the 'Request a Class' button to let us know your availability and we'll match you up with an instructor!

Shhhhh, upcoming news about Kiwanis : )

Maker Works was recently awarded a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor! Our next newsletter will have details and a call to action for:

  • Free Group Tours

  • Free Intro to Household Tools Workshops

  • Expanded Free Fix-It-Friday Support

  • Expanded Community Partnership Support

In the meantime, if you know of a group that could benefit from any of the above items, let us know (or tell them!).

As always, you can also support shared access to resources by:

  1. Taking a class or starting a membership!

  2. Making a contribution today!

  3. Sharing this newsletter with someone you know

New sponsorship opportunities to support the shop are coming soon, let me know if you'd like to be first to know!

Thank you!

Josh Williams

July News: Amy's Latest Work, CNC Discounts, Pen Plotters and MORE!

We're excited to feature the latest work below by Amy Anderson, she's consistently making innovative and creative pieces. We also have an update from Andi at Future Innovator's Academy!

Our woodworking track sold out, but you can get notified of the next!

Our early bird discount ends soon to learn how to operate four CNC machines in our weekend intensive, or bring a buddy to build your own CNC! Use the discount code 'CNC49BLOG'.

Thank you for being a part of our community of making! If you’d like to receive this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

Member Project: Amy's Lazy Susan Side Table

Amy's been on a woodworking marathon ever since she got started at the shop last year, and it shows!

The legs on this piece are Cherry, the rest is Ambrosia Maple she picked up from Johnson's Workbench. A whole lot of imagination, CAD, and CNC work on the ShopBot followed by some custom joinery, and finished off with a beautiful resin inlay. To top it all, it rotates around the shelf on a 12" heavy duty lazy susan!

When asked if we could feature it, Amy responded with a lovely comment:

"Thanks to Maker Works I was able to learn several new aspects of woodworking, joinery, CNC design, engraving and the different ways to do an inlay. The strength and knowledge of each team member at Maker Works has grown many skilled and successful woodworkers. It is a safe and welcoming environment. 

This piece was only imagined and getting it into real life form took a lot of time and recalculations."

Thank you Amy for inspiring all of us with your imagination and hard work!

Learn to safely operate four CNC machines in this two-day workshop!

Join a small cohort learning to safely operate the Epilog Laser, Plasma Cutter, ShopBot, and Tormach. You'll leave with the knowledge to cut and engrave wood, metal, and plastic using the power of robots.

This is an incredible opportunity to learn the basics of design (CAD), converting designs to machine code (CAM), and operating the machines.

Psst, you'll also be the first to play with Dale's custom pen plotter.

Possible post class projects on the Laser, ShopBot, and Tormach Mill!

Sign up using the early bird code 'CNC49BLOG' to bring the price to $449!

Build and take home your own CNC Machine! Join Maker Works' instructor Leena for a full day guided build of your own personal 3018 CNC Router. This lightweight router is great for cutting and engraving wood and plastic.

The class is a fantastic introduction to the world of CNC. Leena will walk you through the wiring, mechanics, and software from start to finish, and you get to take home your own CNC Router!

Feel free to bring a build buddy, but register soon — just four spots! Use the early bird discount code 'CNC49BLOG' to bring the price down to $449!

STEM Camp

Ages 7 - 14

Half & Full Day camps

Sign up here

Andi's been a member of the shop for over a year, starting when she launched The Future Innovators Academy at Maker Works in 2023. She quickly outgrew us, expanding to her own space and equipment (Laser Engravers & 3D Printers, for kids!).

Summer camps are in full swing, and she's offering our community a discount on STEM camp (linked left), use the code 'MakerWorks' to take 15% off!

Additional camps with spots open below!

Lego Robotics
Ages 5 - 8
Half & Full Day camps

Sign up here

Roblox Game Design
Ages 7 - 14
Half & Full Day camps

Sign up here

Minecraft Modding
Ages 8 - 12
Half & Full Day camps

Sign up here

JUNE CLASSES AND BEYOND

Classes are posted on the website through July! Ready to learn? No membership required!

  1. Choose your class and sign up today.

  2. Don't see a date that works for you? Use the 'Request a Class' button to let us know your availability and we'll match you up with an instructor!

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Maker Works has an annual budget close to $400,000, of which about 85% is covered by class attendees, membership dues, and studio space rentals.

This past week we've been highlighting the City of Ann Arbor's Zero Waste efforts. The city is doing a fantastic job engaging individuals and businesses to reduce waste, you can help us continue to do our part of providing shared access to resources.

  1. Take a class or start a membership!

  2. Make a contribution today!

  3. Share this blog with someone you know!

New sponsorship opportunities to support the shop are coming soon, let me know if you'd like to be first to know!

Thank you!

- Josh Williams

Using Recipes for A Great Makerspace

How can you keep your makerspace members safe and make them productive on tools they’ve never used before? How can you prevent damage to your tools from misuse? How can you continuously improve your makerspace? If you talk to enough makerspace operators, you’ll hear stories of tools and, even worse, members getting hurt in preventable ways. And of makerspaces where some things don’t get better, but sometimes get more cluttered, less efficient.

Why a Makerspace Operations Bootcamp?

Before we even opened the doors to our makerspace (Maker Works), my business partner Tom Root and I talked about how we could help other people create a makerspace in their community.  (We probably don’t have to convince you why we think they’re important for every community to have.)  And as anyone who runs a makerspace knows, we ended up spending a huge amount of time (and still do) on phone calls and tours with people who want to start their own makerspace.  We do think those tours are useful, and if you want to drop by, we’re happy to spend some time talking shop.  But as time went by, Tom and I talked more about presenting the systems we use with enough detail and within an organizing framework so that someone could hit the ground running, rather than having to re-invent the makerspace wheel over and over again.

Basically, we wanted to create the kind of course that we wished we could have taken before we opened our space.  So in 2014 we had our first Makerspace Operations Bootcamp, and have held a few each year since.  These are five often very full days and a bit overwhelming at times, for instructors and attendees both!

A big question is why two yahoos from Ann Arbor think they know anything about makerspace operations.  A factual, but uninspiring answer is that, well, we’ve been operating one since 2011.  (By the way, we don’t claim special insight into starting a makerspace–we’ve only done that once.)  But the deeper answer has to do with the systems we use and how they align with the values of our makerspace and the larger Maker movement.

Briefly–trying to condense five days of content here–it’s our experience that if you start from some core Maker values, you end up wanting systems that

  • Promote safety

  • Value openness

  • Strive for continuous improvement

  • Welcome and support members with a wide range of experiences and knowledge

  • Provide access to and preservation of nice equipment

  • Organize of tools for quick retrieval

  • Provide great customer service

  • Encourage self-service, increase skills

  • Support the local community

  • Promote the larger makerspace and maker movements

  • Reduce impact on environment

  • Support and encourage member creativity

  • Promote an optimistic view of the future

  • Empower people to be more than just consumers

  • Reduce waste

  • and so on

And it turns out that there are systems drawn from Lean manufacturing and other practices that do just that, including:

  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

  • 5S

  • Open Book Management

  • How to Instruct

  • Servant Leadership

  • Recipes for creating culture

  • Recipes for giving great customer service

  • 43 folders

  • Visual management systems

  • and so on

In the bootcamp, we begin by discussing the relationship between the organization’s mission, vision, guiding principles, systems, culture, experience, and bottom lines, and the need for consistency between them.  This framework organizes much of the content of the week.  With this in mind, we then delve into each of these elements and explore specific systems like SOPs, using an actual makerspace to see how they work in real life.

In the end, though, none of the systems, none of the tools, none of the organizing makes any sense without the context of a mission, a vision, guiding principles, and bottom lines.  Open book management takes effort.  Servant leadership takes effort.  Great customer service takes time.  We hope by the end of the week that we’ve made the case that these systems can all fit together and produce a sustainable makerspace consistent with its mission.

How did we end up with these systems?  Tom actually uses these in running a local business with over $10M annual revenue and over 400 employees during the busy holiday season–employees who often come in without any experience and have to become almost immediately productive.  The many parallels suggested that a makerspace run using the same types of systems could help members become productive and keep them safe without requiring the constant attention of staff.  The values of the business were also something we wanted to follow–for example, having more than just profit as a bottom line.  (Our bottom lines are people, planet, and profit.)  We take a tour of this business, since it is another opportunity to see the concepts in action.

In the end, we want to have more makerspaces in the world.  We think these tools increase those odds, and encourage anyone who operates or is thinking of operating a makerspace to take a look at them.

Can’t make it to one of our bootcamps?

The future is yours to make!