Bellingham Makerspace Newsletter
June 2022
Hello from the Makerspace! We have exciting news for you.
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Get to Know Our Leaders: Dan Marshall
1) What is your first memory of making something?
Some of my earliest memories are from around the ages of 3-5 years old. I would sit at an old organ and play songs about myself as a superhero. That counts, I think?
2) What is your favorite tool or favorite type of thing to make?
Definitely 3d printers! I love that you can download a digital object and then make it exist IRL.
3) How did you first become involved at the Makerspace?
When I moved to the Bellingham area in 2016, I didn't know many people here. I started volunteering at the Makerspace as a way to meet people. It worked!
4) What is your current role at the Makerspace?
I'm the president of the board of directors.
5) What do you like the most about the Makerspace?
Definitely our members and volunteers! I am continually amazed by the depth and breadth of experience, creativity, and kindness exhibited by our community.
6) What advice would you give to other makers?
Don't be afraid to fail, and don't let it stop you! Also, if you're running into a roadblock on a project, don't be afraid to ask for help. There's such a collaborative spirit at the Makerspace, and plenty of people who are happy to help and share knowledge.
7) is there anything else you would like to add?
The Bellingham Makerspace couldn't exist without our amazing members and volunteers, but as a non-profit organization we are pretty much always budget constrained. You can help by donating! Donations are tax deductible. You can donate via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2840744) or via Every.org (https://www.every.org/bellingham-makerspace). Thanks so much! :)
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New Employee: Rhys Templeton
1) What is your first memory of making something?
I remember using pencils and green construction paper to draw while I was in preschool, so maybe age 5 or 6. I did a little drawing of a Lurker from the PS2 classic Jak and Daxter so I guess my earliest memory of making something was fan art. Beyond that I spent hours investing in Lego builds which was my first introduction to 3D design, which I now specialize in today.
2) What is your favorite tool or favorite type of thing to make?
3D printers, by far are my favorite. I own a couple personal machines and the satisfaction of taking a digital design and being able to fully fabricate it in a matter of hours is indescribable, I love it. It was a 3D printing workshop hosted by local legends Ill Gotten Games that got me into digital 3D design. Now here I am, a 3D and motion designer by trade.
3) How did you first become involved at the Makerspace?
I’m actually nephew to Mary Elliott, and so was aware of the Makerspace (then The Foundry) from its very beginning. At the time I was living with my family a little further south, but came to Bellingham for college which is when I really started frequenting the Makerspace and just fell in love with the space and the community it fostered.
4) What is your current role at the Makerspace?
I am the Makerspace’s Designer and Digital Marketer. That means I generate assets and content for upcoming events and other things going on at the space and push them to social media to bolster our online presence and community reach.
5) What do you like the most about the Makerspace?
I think the resources and equipment the Makerspace provides is rad, but I think the way the space encourages the community to invest time into their own projects and themselves is really special. I think humans are inherently creative even if it’s not something you do professionally or even a lot, and just sitting down and working on a craft or a project really does you good. I love that the Makerspace provides the tools, space and community to do that.
6) What advice would you give to other makers?
Just make things. Work on whatever you want. There’s so much pressure to make something good, or marketable but there is so much to be said about making for the sake of making. Find something that you think is cool, learn about it, then sit down and work with it and make something for yourself. Is it rough around the edges? Does it not look professional? Who cares, it really doesn’t matter so long as you’re enjoying your time and working on something that you find interesting. Make things just for the sake of it, don’t get bogged down with expectations or pressure and both you and your work will be all the better for it.
7) is there anything else you would like to add?
Just that I’m stoked to be part of this team, and I look forward to putting my work to good use at the Makerspace. Thanks so much!
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Student Fixes Sail at Makerspace
Richard Gordon-Rein is a Western Washington University student who lives on his sailboat. His parents and sister were visiting from Alaska for a weekend and they were planning on going sailing, but he had a huge tear in his sail. So, they came into the Makerspace with an 80+ year old hand-crank sewing machine, got a student membership, and spent the weekend at the space repairing the sail and their old machine. We are delighted that they joined our community of makers!
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Join the 2022 Maker Faire Committee
Want to be part of our grand celebration of all things maker? Last year’s Maker Faire was a huge success. There’s another event coming up in the fall, and now is time to begin planning. We could use you on our team of volunteers! The first meeting of the Maker Faire Committee will be Saturday, June 4, following immediately after our 1pm monthly volunteer meeting. Hope to see you there!
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Volunteers Needed at Birchwood International Market
Do you enjoy community events? We need volunteers to staff the Makerspace booth at the Birchwood International Market this summer! The dates are June 17, July 15, and August 19. Times for the events are 6-8pm, but you will need to be available 5-9pm for setup and take down. You can also contribute ideas of 3 different interactive activities for the booth. Ideas include huge bubbles or RC car racing. Anyone who wants to volunteer should reach out to Phoebe as soon as possible on Slack or at phoebe@bmakers.org. There is a Facebook event for the Birchwood International Market.
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Display and Sell Your Art
The Makerspace Gallery is open to any local artist who would like to display their original art at the Makerspace for 3 months at a time. The artist does not have to be a member. They can put any price on the artwork, and we will take a 15% commission on any art that sells. The artwork must be original and able to be hung on a wall. If interested, email phoebe@bmakers.org.
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Amateur Radio Group
The Bellingham Makerspace Amateur Radio Group (BMARG) had their first meeting May 21. They discussed expectations and next steps, including getting those new to amateur radio licensed as technicians with their call signs. There will be monthly classes or activities to increase knowledge and skills. They expect to build antennas, make crystal AM radios, and solve triangulation problems. They also expect to provide practice using software defined radio, which can demodulate digital signals, something those without a HAM license can do at home because all they can do is listen. The next BMARG meetings will be June 18, club business from 2-3 pm and then a class on the RTLSDR software defined radio dongle from 3-4 pm. For more information or to join the club, email bmarg@bellinghammakerspace.org.
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Make Night
Want to be motivated by working alongside other makers? Make Night is every Monday night from 5:30-8pm. It’s a chance to eat potluck snacks, chat, and get that project done! Bringing food is optional. All projects welcome: knitting, embroidery, coding, 3D modeling, digital art, etc. We just want to chill in an atmosphere that promotes friendship and productivity!
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Family Make & Take: Recycled Plastic Notebook
Would you like to help the planet by upcycling waste plastic into a new item? In this $5 class, you will join students from Western Washington University’s Plastics and Composites Engineering program to make a notebook to take home! All ages are welcome with an adult helper. Students will learn about the process for collecting, processing, pressing, cutting, and trimming recycled plastics into thick sheets. They will then finish processing their plastic sheets into book covers and assemble their own notebooks. This class is Saturday, June 4 at 3 pm. Sign up here.
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Upcoming Classes
You can view a list of upcoming classes at the Makerspace by clicking here.
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Makerspace Volunteer Meeting
Makerspace Craft Time (free)
Family Make & Take: Recycled Plastic Notebook
Project Night (free)
Intro to the Wood Lathe
Intro to the Vinyl Cutter
Intro to the Arduino
Arduino Meetup (free)
Northwest Free Repair Event
Intro to CNC Sign Making
Intro to the Laser Cutter
Intro to Vector Graphics
Crafting for Creatures (free)
Make & Take: Robots 101
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June 4 & July 2 -- 1 pm
June 4 & 11 -- 1 pm
June 4 -- 3 pm
June 6, 13, 20 & 27 -- 5:30 pm
June 8 or 22 -- 6 pm
June 9 or 23 -- 6 pm
June 10 -- 4:30 pm
June 10 -- 6 pm
June 12 & 19 -- 1 pm
June 12 & 26 -- 5 pm
June 15 & 30 -- 6 pm
June 16 -- 6 pm
June 18 -- 1 pm
June 26 -- 1 pm
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