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Get to Know Our Leaders: Garth Johnson
Garth Johnson is a member of the Board and our new Volunteer Coordinator.
1) What is your earliest memory of making something?
It would have to be making sandcastles at Jantzen Beach, a little island between Washington and Oregon on the Columbia River. I lived on a sailboat docked there, and we would sail from Alaska down to Panama. They would bring logs down the river, and some would break free and get stuck on the beaches. While Mom and Dad harvested the logs for firewood, I would play in the sand and make sandcastles with chunks of logs and bark. I was probably four years old or so.
When I was five years old, Dad was redoing some of the trim on our sailboat. He gave me a piece of the teak, and I started carving it with my thumbnails into a little totem pole. My dad saw this, sat down with me, and gave me an Old Timer pocket knife. I still have that knife. He taught me how to safely sharpen the knife, and he showed me how to carve the teak. I carved a very nice totem pole for my mom, who was an amazing Cherokee woman.
2) How did you get involved with the Makerspace?
I’ve had a dream of building a solution for kids to learn technology. Growing up, when we moved onto land, there was a Radio Shack on Lakeway, and an old guy used to run the place on weekends. My dad dropped me off like it was daycare. I would buy an electronics kit with my allowance, and the manager had a table for me to put it together. This was formative for me.
Initially, I came up with this thing called Yeti Box working with Raspberry Pis and Microsoft. We put together a custom install for Minecraft servers on Raspberry Pi systems, and we did a couple or education tours at events with them. It started to kind of take off, but the cost was $100, and that’s still outside a lot of people’s grasp.
When Lisa and I moved to Bellingham, we heard about the Makerspace. I was looking for a place to build a cool, kitschy box to put these Raspberry Pi’s in — maybe a Minecraft red stone ore block or cube that would hold the Raspberry Pi inside with some LEDs. I needed a 3D printer to prototype it. Jason Davies greeted me at the door to the downtown Makerspace. He showed me through the door all the stuff and said the Makerspace could help me with the prototype by providing tools, but the Makerspace was moving. He gave me the new address on the waterfront.
After it reopened, we went down to the waterfront, and I met Jeremiah, Mary, and all these wonderful people, and it was like the Lost Tribe. I felt like I had come home. If I had anything that I wanted to do, there was somebody there who knew how to get from point A to point B. It was so positive, constructive and collaborative.
Unfortunately, the Yeti Box ended up not being the direction I went. The cost was just way too high. It turns out the focus became our robotics program. The Makerspace is the place where the creation is happening. We’re teaming up with TAGNW, Linux Fest, and BTC — our connection with the rest of the community who can help to market it into the schools.
As I started spending more time at the Makerspace, I realized I really like these people. They’re more than just friends now. They’re all creatives. I grew up with an artist for a mother and a father who was doing chainsaw carvings and metal art sculptures. Growing up with that as my parentage, there is no wonder I spend so much time at the Makerspace.
3) What experience do you bring to your current role as Volunteer Coordinator?
I put together teams in the military and many of my other jobs. I feel that I have a knack for knowing what people can do and what they need. I can see how to best utilize and amplify their existing skills and their existing joy. I like knitting that kind of tapestry.
4) What types of things are you doing for the Makerspace?
Empowering the members with the Administrative Membership solution so we can achieve even more of the things the members are already wanting to do. Empowering the Makerspace to reach out to our community and connect collaboratively. Connecting the other Maker-centric businesses and organizations in town and helping our space to become even more of a nexus of creativity for our community.
5) What is your favorite tool?
At the moment, it would be the laser cutter, because it’s quick and I know vector graphics well enough, and Jason has shown me how to use it a couple of times. I also enjoy the woodshop. That was what I grew up with. We could practically rebuild the entire boat in the woodshop behind our houseboat.
6) What is your favorite type of project?
Anything that requires collaboration. I really enjoy the collaborative nature of the Space. Right now, I’m looking forward to the gratitude wall mural, having fun getting paint on each other as much as the wall.
I like doing my tech projects and robotics, of course. My grandson came in with my wife to do one of the robot classes, and it was fun watching his eyes light up.
The part I like most is when the community gets together and does things. These volunteer meetings are like a recharge, and even just being on the periphery of Heidi’s cosplay thing — it doesn’t get better than that. People are excited and doing something. That’s the best.
7) What advice do you have for other makers?
Don’t be afraid. Try it. Give it a shot. Don’t worry about anyone else’s judgment of your creation. You’re going to make mistakes. The cup has already broken. Lean into it. I give the same advice to my students when they’re learning tech. When you break it, we will fix it. Fixing is half the fun — sometimes it is more than half.
8) Do you have anything to add?
I’m looking forward to where we will go. The space has so much potential and so many wonderful people. If anyone has hesitated to come join in on the fun — stop wasting time!
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Maker Faire
The big day (October 1) is approaching, but there's still time to get involved! Whether you're wanting to sell ($100 vendor fee), inform, or just show off, we still have space for you at Bellingham Maker Faire 2022!
We're also looking for speakers to fill half-hour slots over the course of the day.
Or maybe sponsorship is more your speed - a shout-out on the website, and at the Faire, and the good vibes of knowing you're supporting a worthwhile event!
In any case, just visit https://makerfairebellingham.org/ for more info and to submit your request!
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Administrative Members
The Bellingham Makerspace is excited to introduce our new Administrative Volunteer Members. This team of talented planners, organizers, content specialists, and advocates provides invaluable support to the Makerspace Administrative team.
As a largely volunteer-staffed and member-focused organization, the Makerspace prides ourself in our dedicated team of volunteers that keeps the space running. We have identified a core team of volunteers with key skills, which will provide crucial support to the management team, allowing them to focus on operations and leadership duties.
Our Administrative Members have shared their areas of expertise and interest with the Volunteer Coordinator and the Board of Directors. Each Administrative Member has an area of specialization that aligns with their skills and interests, and supports the sustainability and growth of the Makerspace.
Each Administrative Member has committed to a one-year term of service and will report to the Operations Manager. Please join us in recognizing these volunteer members who have made this commitment to supporting and growing the Makerspace.
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If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our website here and tell us about yourself!
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Administrative Members:
Alicia - Administrative Assistant (Volunteer Coordinator)
Grant - Tech Administrative Member
Heidi - Sewing Area Administrative Member, Social Media Assistant
Keith - Amateur Radio Administrative Member
Lisa - Marketing and Event Planning
Owen - Community Advocate
Rosa - Policies and Procedures
Von Ochoa - Community Causes
Gary - Woodshop Administrative Member
Jordan - Newsletter Editor
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FerndAle Block Party
The first annual FerndAle Block Party, sponsored by FrinGe Brewing and the Ferndale Arts commission, showed that the good people of Ferndale know how to party! Music was heard, beer and food were consumed, and by the looks of the faces around us, fun was had! The Bellingham Makerspace tent was a popular stop - first for the robots, and later for face-painting, coloring, spinner making, and other creative shenanigans. We look forward to participating in next year's party!
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Intro to Sewing
Learn the basics of machine and hand sewing in this 1.5 hour class. We will learn sewing and notions, basic hand stitching, and sewing machine parts and safe use. Students will receive a kit with all the fabric, notions and tools needed for making a tote bag. This class is Saturday, September 3 at 2pm. Sign up here.
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Intro to Screen Printing
Learn to use Bellingham Makerspace’s screen printing equipment to print t-shirts using our pre-made screens. You will be able to choose from a number of designs and pick your own colors and t-shirt blank. Participants will learn how to use the screen printing press, flash dryer, and how to clean the equipment and station. This class is required in order to reserve time on the screen printing station. This class is Wednesday, September 21 at 5:30pm. Sign up here.
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Cosplay Meetup (free)
Come share ideas, projects, and techniques of costume making, creature creation, and cosplay. This group meets on the fourth Saturday of every month, including September 24, from 3-5pm. This meetup is free. You don’t need to register. Just show up and get ready to nerd out with fellow cosplay fans! Kids under 12 are welcome with an adult assistant.
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The Co-Op Factory (free)
Tired of working for a boss? Ready to start a democratically-run bossless workplace? Or a housing co-op? Or do you have some other vision for a new co-op in Whatcom County? Come connect with others who are also making co-ops in the area!
Folks working on all types of co-ops are welcome. A facilitator from the local co-op development community will be there, and they can help you connect with resources for co-op makers. This meetup is Thursday, September 29 at 6pm. For questions, contact the organizers at LetsMakeCoops@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Classes
You can view a list of upcoming classes at the Makerspace by clicking here.
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Volunteer Meeting (free): Sep 3 - 1pm
Intro to Sewing: Sep 3 - 2pm
Craft Time (free): Sep 3, 10, 17, & 24 - 2pm
Project Night (free): Sep 5, 12, 19 & 26 - 5:30pm
Intro to the Laser Cutter: Sep 7 or 21 - 6pm
Intro to Vector Graphics: Sep 8 or 22 - 6pm
Arduino Meetup (free): Sep 9 - 6pm
NorthWest Free Repairs Event: Sep 11 & 18 - 1pm
Intro to the Vinyl Cutter: Sep 14 or 28 - 6pm
Intro to Screen Printing: Sep 21 - 5:30pm
Cosplay Meetup (free): Sep 24 - 3pm
The Co-Op Factory (free): Sep 29 - 6pm
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