Making Problems to Solve

This week my guest is Heidi Jacobs from Whitehall Pottery. We discuss her start in a maker family, journey through art school, to a production pottery studio. Heidi studied sculpture in college, and learned the value of learning a craft whether it's welding or woodworking.  Find Heidi on Instagram and Youtube, including the Virtual Craft Fair. Mentions in this episode: Ben Jacobs - Slap Stuff Together Joe Thompson - Old Forge Creations Tim Cunningham - The Urban Forge Franco Nocce Carl Jacobson Jamie Page Laura Kampf Fools with Tools Podcast - Brett, Al, Steve The Redsmith Karoline Hinz Jessie Uyeda

Steph from Uncommon Outpost started out building and creating things as a kid, learned construction volunteering for Habitat for Humanity with her dad, and learned confidence for problem-solving along the way. We talk about her experience in art school, and her experience in non-traditional marketing for bar promotions lead to a career in industrial maintenance, product development and marketing with Wall Control. We learn about Free Art Fridays and Game of Shrooms, a worldwide art event.  Mentions in the show: Mark Adams Pictures Jessie Uyeda Brittany Bailey

I had a great chat with Ruth Amos, inventor and engineer, of Kids Invent Stuff. Ruth says she loves to "bring to life, the weird and wonderful", so I had to talk to her. We talked about Ruth's history in creative expression from lego, to theater and home videos, and he effects these foundations have on her creative career today.  Follow Ruth on her Instagram and YouTube as well as Kids Invent Stuff on Instagram and Youtube.  Mentions Shawn Brown Makers Waffle

I am happy to call Rob Rojas a friend. We met at Jimmy Diresta's shop shortly after he restored an antique camel-back drill press. He focuses on improving his woodworking skills and collecting a variety of tools to support that journey. He is never limited to learning just one thing, an we talk a bit about what the future might hold. Don't forget to check out his profile by K+S Precision Metals and his video on making the ice-pick launcher! You can find Rob on Instagram and Youtube.  Mentions in this episode Jimmy Diresta Chris from Cowdog Craftworks Anne of all Trades Tony Rouleau

This episode I was joined by Trevor Higgins, who shares his shop with old and new friends who are interested in learning the ways of the maker. He started his creative journey with Lego, like many, and graduated to music making and audio engineering. Along the way he was always using tools to further his learning. We had a great conversation about the ways we build community, and the different ways to share what we know.  Find Trevor on Instagram and Youtube.  Mentions in this episode: Brett McAfee Laura Kampf Marielle Brinkman Dr. Lisa Patti Gilstrap Photo Credit: Adam Cee

This episode my guest is Ryan Smith of Smith Makes, an all around woodworking problem solver, and printmaker. Ryan even bought a new printing press between the recording and release of this episode! We talk about Ryan's creative transition from musician to music festival poster collector and beyond, as well as how a challenge to make a dining table led him to the current state of his woodworking shop.  Check out Ryan @smith_makes on Instagram or his Etsy Shop Mentions in this episode Jimmy Diresta Kyle Toth Frank Howarth Mark Spagnuolo Bob Clagett David Picciuto Bobby Rosenstock

I talked to Brett McAfee, mostly a blacksmith,  about his journey as a maker and artist. He shares about how his teachers affected his thoughts and perspective on creativity and problem solving. We cover chaos and uncertainty as a source of inspiration and the spectrum from entertainment to art. There's a good bit about video games and we hardly mention Steve at all.  Find Brett on Instagram @skullandspade13, Youtube, and his Podcast with Al and Steve, Fools with Tools where you can hear more about chaos just about every week.  Sorry Mark Adams, not this time. 

This episode we learn about Brittney Carbone from @brittneycarbone.art we we discussed the maker journey of a middle school art teacher. Brittney is making waves, literally, by molding and reshaping epoxy resin as it cures to create unique seascape inspired art.  Learn more at https://www.brittneycarboneart.com/ Mentions in the show:  Peter Brown Andrew Burke Blake McFarland Cover photo credit Mark Adams

This episode I talked to Paul from Copper Pig Fine Woodworking about his journey to fine woodworking. We discuss the opposite of the "taste gap", more of the reverse, where a maker realizes their skills to create have progressed beyond their design skills, and it is time to find inspiration. Then we come up with several ways to find that inspiration.  Learn about Paul's work on Instagram or his web site.  Mentions this episode: Marc Spagnuolo Keith Johnson Katie Freeman

This week I talked to Tamara Robertson, chemical and biomolecular engineer, cosplay artist, maker, and Mythbuster. We talked about Tamara’s path from curious kid to engineer to costume design and science communication and outreach. Weaving together all her skills and experiences to a career combining engineering, live panels combining superheroes and science fiction with real life scientists, comic books, and outreach for science, technology and work in the trades. Along the way Tamara gave me a new way to look at how art and science are related.  Learn more about Tamara's work at her website with links to all of her work and projects.  Listen to Tamara's Podcast Tinkering Belles The Jessi Combs Foundation USA Science Fest Mentions in this episode: Char Wooden Maven Pat Lap The Catskill Mountain Maker Camp