Meet the Makers – Ashley Town
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Ashley Town and I’m the owner of Bay View Printing Co. Bay View Printing Co will be 100 years old in 2018 and I’m only the 4th owner (first female!). The shop has been run as a commercial print shop in the past, but since I became the owner in October of 2014 I’ve been working to transition it into a community print shop. In addition to making our own art prints to sell and printing custom posters, wedding invitations, business cards and various other jobs for folks, we also offer letterpress workshops, drink&ink nights, open studio time and memberships to the shop.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
At Maker Faire Milwaukee we’re presenting a variety of letterpress printed artistic prints that we’ve made at the shop exclusively using our antique wood and metal type. We’ll also have a small handpress and some wood type on hand for folks to set up and print their own 8×10 creations right at our booth! A little taste of what we do every day and what people could expect if they visit the shop for a class or become members.
Why is making important to you?
I think it’s important to make something every day. It feeds my soul. Some days that is a beautiful print, other days an omelette – but regardless of what I’m making, the process of doing so is what’s important. The creative problem solving, the using of my hands, the collaboration with others – this is what makes me feel human.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
The work I’ve made that I’m most proud of is actually not work that I make myself, but the work that I watch others make in my classrooms and at the print shop. Teaching someone how to make something that uses materials and a process that most folks have never done before and then watching their faces light up when they see what they’ve made are the most rewarding and proud moments of my making career thus far.
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
Ah! That’s tough. Given an unlimited budget – I’d make a Bay View Printing Co that is a giant, beautiful, sunlit space full of people making their own creations day in and day out. Maybe there would be studio spaces and artists in residence and walls covered in work from folks throughout the community…I guess what I’m trying to make right now at the shop, but bigger!
Meet the Makers – Kevin Zirkelbach
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Kevin Zirkelbach and I am a Graphic Designer and Illustrator. I have been a huge Star Wars fan since the I saw the original movie in 1977. As a kid, I loved building plastic models and drawing and I have been fortunate to do some model and prototype building for my work. About 4 years ago, I discovered the R2-D2 Builder’s Group online. After reading through the group forums and researching the plans, I decided to build a full-sized R2-D2 mostly from styrene plastic, wood and some 3D printed parts.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
My radio-controlled R2-D2, information on the group, sample blueprints and parts. I will also be demonstrating the Dremel Ideabuilder 3D printer.
Why is making important to you?
I enjoy the process of making something with my hands and the satisfaction in completing a project or a piece of artwork. I enjoy the technical challenges of making and learning new things.
What was the first thing you remember making?
I remember having a box of plastic model parts when I was 5 or 6 and I enjoyed putting the parts together to make my own creations.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
My R2-D2. He definitely was a labor of love.
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
A larger workshop!
CNC Router in Pop Mech
We’ve already met Chad Bridegwater, and told you about the CNC Router he built using a 1946 drill press he rescued from the scrap heap.
Well, we’re not the only ones to be inspired by Chad’s work, as the September issue of Popular Mechanics features his CNC Router as well.
Make sure you check out Chad’s other machines at Maker Faire Milwaukee this year.
Makey the Robot!
Look who’s been hanging around Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, it’s Makey the Robot!
You’ll be able to see Makey (and his twin brother, who may need a little help from you) at Maker Faire Milwaukee on September 26th & 27th, 2015 at State Fair Park. See you there! (Makey can’t wait to meet you!)
Meet the Makers – Edgren Bilt
Tell us about yourself.
My name is George Edgren. I own a small business “Edgren Bilt” in Wild Rose, WI. I have been an artist since middle school and a fabricator since high school. I decided to mix metal and art a few years ago and never stopped since.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
I am presenting my metal interpretation of the dragon, Toothless, from “How to Train Your Dragon”.
Why is making important to you?
Building and making things is how I express myself and my emotions.
What was the first thing you remember making?
The first thing I made was a yo-yo when I was about 10 years old. It was wooden and had a skull carved in it. It was a little rough but that was my start.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
I made a custom motorcycle named “Death”. It is a tribute to a friend that passed away in a motorcycle accident. It has a coffin sidecar and there are skulls everywhere. I’m most proud of that build.
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
If I had an unlimited budget, I would build cars and motorcycles that were more art than vehicle.
Meet the Makers – Lumen Electronic Jewelry
Tell us about yourself.
We’re 4th generation mechanical engineering siblings. We grew up in rural northern Wisconsin with basically our own maker space in the woods. Dad had a machine shop with EVERYTHING that was as big as the house. Making is in our blood.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
Lumen Electronic Jewelry re-imagines the humble circuit board into art. Our pieces incorporate twinkling LED lights with tiny solar panels to power them. Hours of blinky, no batteries. We have pre-made jewelry from $15-$200 as well as soldering kits for all levels.
Why is making important to you?
Robin – I enjoy making something with my hands, I get a joy jolt every time something actually works!
Marty – ‘Cause Making. I can get what I really want, not only what is available.
What was the first thing you remember making?
So hard to remember, we’ve both been makers since pre-natal.
Robin – I loved origami as a kid. I was constantly folding any paper I could get my hands on.
Marty – At 10 I made an all wheel drive all wheel steer remote control LEGO car. It used the old-school power box. I used a bendy straw as the bellows instead of a universal joint.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
Robin – It was in an aerospace job and top secret, so I’d have to kill you if I told you. HA! But seriously, Lumen is my favorite. I use all my talents every day and I love it: artistic, engineering, teaching, strategic planning.
Marty – Well, everything lol. Currently its the all-wheel drive motorcycle, its the big and flashy one. I works really well. The drive-line layout is on its 2nd generation, suspension on its 4th or 5th generation. It’s taken a lot of voodoo, trial and error. Makes even a novice look good
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
Robin – Starship Enterprise. I want to travel to other planets faster than light and have no time dilation!
Marty – Laser heat exchanger rockets. Pretty damn cool.
Call for Makers has been extended until August 31st!
We have an awesome and growing group of makers who have submitted applications for Maker Faire Milwaukee. Thanks to all who have applied to exhibit! We don’t want to miss out on anything, or anyone who might need a bit more time to get it together, so the Call for Makers will be extended through August 31st, 2015.
Do you know anyone that would be interested in being a part of Maker Faire Milwaukee 2015? If so, please encourage them to apply or volunteer!
If you have any questions about participating at Maker Faire Milwaukee, please email the team at makers@makerfairemilwaukee.com.
What will you see – Giant Clock
Tom Gralewicz from Milwaukee Makerspace has been leading the charge to build a GIANT CLOCK for Maker Faire Milwaukee. Shane helped with the animation to explain what it will look like, and other members have pitched in with the building of the various pieces.
Below are a few in-progress shots of the progress so far…
Electronic components, including an Arduino, and a motor controller. (Tom is pretty excited about the controller and has a plan to use the for other projects in the future.)
Motors and a few other parts were donated from our friends at American Science & Surplus.
Tom created a custom circuit board using a laser cutter to prepare the board for etching. It uses a number of optical sensors to tell where clock pieces are.
Here’s the inside view of one of the clock movements…
…with the cover in place.
And here’s one of the large segments. There will be eight of these in total.
And here’s Tom (at 6’3″) standing next to the skeleton of one segment stack of the clock.
Check out the videos of the platform moving and the sensor board sensing!
Want more? Check out the next installment: It’s almost time…
Meet the Makers – R Rated Clothing
Tell us about yourself.
R Rated Clothing started when I introduced my friend, and now business partner Roberto Rivera, to another friend of mine who does screen printing. Roberto has fans from all over the country that have asked for his art on clothing. After being given the idea to start his own clothing brand from my friend, Roberto looked at me and said “do you want to do this?”. One week later we ordered our first batch of shirts, and R Rated Clothing was born.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
We are presenting our collection of graphic T-Shirts. Every design was drawn by R Rated’s own Roberto Rivera.
Why is making important to you?
Making is important to us because it shows the raw talent that was needed to produce the product. We have a very high standard for the designs that we use on our shirts because we want people to feel like they are looking at a piece of art, not just a T-Shirt.
What was the first thing you remember making?
As a company, the first thing we created was our first line of T-Shirts. When I was little, I remember making a ton of board games, and I’m sure Roberto has plenty or stories about drawing pictures on napkins or whatever he could get his hands on.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
As a company, our most recent shirt “Beautiful Land”. One of the first people that saw it called it “iconic”. Hearing that one word made us want to make more, and better shirts.
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
If we had an unlimited budget we would create a ton of designs representing different charities across the US, create the shirts, sell them, and give the charity all of the money from sales. We have talked about this concept for a while.
Meet the Makers – Kathryn Hughett
Tell us about yourself.
I am an artist and crafter. I’ve been drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil and paintbrush. I am experienced in a multitude of art media. My favorite creative things to do are painting and jewelry work. I don’t have a store or sell at fairs but I do have some public albums on Facebook showing things I’ve made and am willing to take special orders for. I am all over social media and can be found under Kathryn Hughett.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
I will be doing face painting near the Dark Arts area using UV reactive face paints.
Why is making important to you?
In order to BE I have to Make.
What was the first thing you remember making?
Mud pies at the age of two.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
So many things that I can’t possibly pick out one. I made a beautiful Star of David pendant for a friend out of copper, sterling silver, and brass. I made a card box for my nephew’s wedding that looks like a bee skep. It turned out so beautifully.
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
My dream is to paint a wall mural in in someone’s home, something large and colorful with giant flowers.