Meet the Makers – Chad Bridgewater
We’re pleased to have Chad Bridgewater returning to Maker Faire this year. If you aren’t familiar with Chad’s work, much of it has to do with re-purposing old tools into new machines. Discarded tables saws become 3D printers and laser engravers, and a drill press rescued from the trash becomes a CNC router.
Chad recently received his MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and his MFA show in the spring was the first reveal of some of his machines. Chad did much of his work in the Digital Craft Research Lab at UWM and has a great appreciation for the merging of new and old processes to creating unique things.
Chad’s appreciation for tools and those who work with their hands (coupled with his love of rummage sales) resulted in a “memorial” of 135 worn and neglected toolboxes interlocked together.
Chad’s been keeping busy this summer, and he’ll have some great new builds for Maker Faire Milwaukee. If you want a sneak peek, check out Chad’s blog at chadbridgewater.blogspot.com
Meet the Makers – Steve Hay
Tell us about yourself.
I am an old guy who can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making things.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
I will be presenting a talk on designing and building the 1903 Wright Brothers engine My father, Steve Hay Sr., my brother Jim Hay and I built a 1903 Wright Brothers Engine in 1978 that we ran for years at the EAA AirVenture. That is what led to my brother and I building the engines for the Centennial Celebration in 2003 at Kitty Hawk. I believe that engine is a perfect example for Maker Faire, because of its simplicity of design. It utilized old technology and new innovations in materials in a design which could be built with the machinery the Wright Brothers had in their bicycle shop.
Why is making important to you?
The manipulation of materials and properties of materials have always been a prime interest of mine and making things has always been a most enjoyable way of learning both. The Ornithopter, which I am presenting at Maker Faire, is one of my more successful projects, although it is still evolving. It started out as a car over 30 years ago and morphed into an aircraft. I honestly never thought it would survive this long. I have been taking it to the EAA AirVenture for 30 years.
What was the first thing you remember making?
I do remember, when I was quite young, asking my mother if I could bake a cake from scratch. She said “OK”, and I made a mess of the kitchen and the cake didn’t look like much but it tasted good. Then, as now, I am usually more interested in the process than in the finished product, so I have made a lot of things that have not quite come out.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
I have built many other things and the one I am the most proud of right now, is a very ornate 15 century wheel lock rifle.
Given an unlimited budget, what would you make?
I would take an old steam locomotive and modify it with modern materials and technology and go after the steam locomotive land speed record. That would be fun.
Meet the Makers – Old England Grown New
Tell us about yourself?
We are dedicated to rediscovering the lives and work of historical tailors and related craftsmen. We exclusively use historically accurate materials, processes, and handwork techniques in our experiments and projects to better understand the world in which our nation’s seeds were sown. We’re a very small group based between Chicago and Milwaukee, and two of us, Dan and Elizabeth, will be taking part in the Maker Faire. You can follow our work on Facebook.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
We will have an array of reproduction and original artifacts on display and use them to work on various articles of handsewn clothing. Guests are welcome to try on the next best thing to surviving garments and learn some centuries-old hand stitches.
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Meet the Makers – Hernando Melo
Tell us about yourself?
I am the founder and sole proprietor of Mister Mellow’s Cartooning &
Mustachery. I also host an all-ages arts/crafts group where creativity
is promoted through various whimsical projects. When I was a kid I
wanted to be an inventor. Little did I know that art would be the
avenue through which I would invent.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
Hand made stick-on mustaches, and mustaches on-a-stick. The 72
varieties of debonaire faux facial hair get all the press, but there
will also be cartoony caricatures, balloon art, monster making, and
other surprises!
Meet the Makers — Be a Maker Space at BBCM
Tell us about yourself?
The Be A Maker Space (BAMSpace) at BBCM is a place for kids and families to explore making. The museum staff built the space by hand. We have a regular schedule of programs and open making time, when kids can explore and use real tools, materials, technology, and more. BAMSpace is outfitted with a 3D printer, laser cutter, laptops, microcontrollers, etc.
What are you showing?
We are bringing some of our favorite BAM projects to Maker Faire, including compressed air rockets, a spin art machine, a yurt for light painting, an interactive music activity made with an antique piano soundboard, and some top-secret stuff too.
Meet the Makers – Felisha Wild
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Felisha Wild and I have almost 20 years of professional culinary experience. Those years have also been peppered with IT, security, and military positions. The past few years we have started Our Daily Salt, LLC as an extension of my love for food and the items that go well with food. I’ve learned how to use and master woodworking tools, CNC technology, and laser engraving to help build the business.
What are you showing at the Maker Faire?
We make and manufacture our own line of housewares. At the Maker Faire, we will be showing how we take a raw log and turn it into beautiful and functional bowls and other products by turning on the lathe.
Meet the Makers – Chris Flieller
Tell us about yourself?
I’m the Artistic Director of In Tandem Theatre.
What are you presenting at Maker Faire Milwaukee?
Our Production Manager and Administrative Intern will be displaying various aspects of production, including set design and construction and lighting design. We will have some theatrical lighting instruments along with a controller. (more…)
Meet the Makers – Anita Hero
Tell us about yourself?
I am a small business owner since 1997, and I create my own aromatherapy products.
What are you showing at the Maker Faire?
I will be presenting my vegan handcrafted bath and body products. I use no artificial colors or fragrances. I avoid preservatives if possible, and have recently repackaged many of my products in a more sustainable way. (more…)
Meet the Makers – Audrey Horst
Tell us about yourself?
I’ve watched dirt track racing with my Dad ever since I was a kid, so I adore stylish cars that handle corners. I’m a member of the Milwaukee Makerspace and I aim to understand mechanical design, machining, and welding. However, I am not a mechanic or an engineer by trade–in 2011 I received a Bachelor’s degree in biology from MIT and then joined a heart development lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin. I am currently attending Boston University to pursue a PhD in molecular biology. As a hobby, I also draw and paint whenever I can.
What are you showing at the Maker Faire?
I’ll be sharing Lotusaurus Wrecks, a modified C7 Corvette Stingray Power Wheels toy rebuilt for the Power Racing Series (PPPRS). (more…)
Meet the Makers – Shane Thelen
Tell us about yourself?
I’ve always loved designing “things”. Sometimes practical, sometimes fanciful, I have always enjoyed putting pencil to paper and coming up with ideas, solutions, and dreams.
What are you showing at the Maker Faire?
For the Maker Faire, I’ll be showing my Gothic Arch Triptych, designed for Silversark’s Sanctuary Fashion Show and I’ll be vending my Art Boxes, Victorian and Art-Deco style periodic tables, as well as some simple LED lamp kits with distinctly geeky themes and, hopefully, some new (and old) laser-cut pins.