Want to know what I have been going on about regarding the independent web? Here's some thoughts! Check out Own Your Web Painting with the Web Introducing the FediVerse Design is Blank on Patreon...
Margaret Janiczek is a biostatistician artist and printmaker, currently focused on copperplate etching. We go over her start in creating cozy watercolor robots, and discovery of printmaking at First Proof Press. Along the way we find out about community life drawing, philosophy and theater, and learning piano. Follow Margaret's work on Instagram and her web site . Check out First Proof Press in Brattleboro Vermont....
Graz Makes, knives, and whatever. We chat about what he's up to lately, his new shop mates, and creative problem solving new rollers for his desktop printing press. We promote some stuff including artist Bianca Santos Silva and the Working Hands Podcast Maker Swap coming up for this year's Maker Camp! Keep up with all Graz is up to on Instagram . Upcoming events at the Blackthorne Resort/Catskill Mountain Maker Camp Timber-In Tickets July 18-20 Field of Tools August 8-10 Working Hands Podcast Ma...
Mark and Nick are back, and we return to the topic of real human creativity versus the void of Generative AI. Does AI make more artists, or keep people from the true experience of making something? We explore these topics, and at least make an attempt to find a path forward. Mark Adams at Mark Adams Pictures Nick Toga at Design is Blank
Leah Spencer is a graphic designer, creating designs for props and background art needed to make a set come to life in TV and film productions. We go over her path from marketing to working as a designer in the entertainment industry, and more traditional maker projects around her house. Leah discusses the challenges of translating period designs using modern technology. Check out Leah's work on Instagram and her web site ....
Jason from Dark State Forge loves metal working. We trace his path from discovery of metal to continually learning, and finally teaching blacksmithing techniques. Of course we cover the Maker Camp blacksmithing tent, the Blackthorne Group Forge projects, and the New England Blacksmiiths! Check out Jason on Instagram. The Catskill Mountain Maker Camp New England Blacksmiths...
This week I talked to Dan Chiaccio founder of First Proof Press, a community print studio in Brattleboro Vermont. We learn about Dan's discovery of printmaking, and how he decided that starting a print shop was the right way to go. Check out Dan and First Proof Press on Instagram and their web site .
Sean Farbolin - Maker on the Move - has since settled down. He has a maker journey that goes from animation, takes a historical detour into spiral ham and inventing, to freelance set and prop building. We learn about the Fix It Fair, meeting local makers, and what Sean is exploring these days. Follow Sean on Instagram .
Linsday Liboiron creates fantasy landscapes with creatures that combine elements that make them part of the landscape. Imagine if I tree pulled up its roots and explored the forest, or if a the ground cover combined to become a deer. With color palettes that draw you in, the paintings invite you to explore more deeply. We chat about Lindsay's beginning studying piano and a focus of music, to her discovery of painting, her work at the Ripley's museum restoring wax figures, and how she uses backgr...
This week I talk to Angela a sewer and knitter (among other creative pursuits) about the story of her Maker Community Quilt from a simple project to use up scraps to a global collaboration. Along the way we talk about community, creativity, and the value of learning from making mistakes. Follow Angela's work on Instagram .
This week I chat with Leah Houghtaling, a woodworker from the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We discuss her philosophy of using every scrap as much as possible, out of respect for nature. Leah loves the process of figuring things out and learning from mistakes and sharing what she has learned. Follow Leah on Instagram for log reveals and a front row seat into her woodworking process. Leah also has a podcast with Amelia Mighty, Now With More Cheese on Youtube ....
This week's I talk to 3 time returning guest Morley Kert about making YouTube videos, and keeping it fun. Morley makes creative projects and focuses on storytelling through the process in his videos. It's all about experimenting and learning by doing. Check Morley out on YouTube and Instagram . For the Aftershow and more conversation with my guest check out Patreon...
This week is a great conversation with David Picciuto of Makesomething.tv on YouTube, who is all about exploring creativity. We chatted about his recent video with some more creative tips for honing your own personal creativity. We talk about where his creative journey started and a bit about where it might be going next. Keep up with David on YouTube and check out his 10 Design Hacks video ....
Mary Doctor has created "Show and Tell for Grown-ups", a live show where presenters get five minutes to tell new friends about their particular niche interest. From an interest in musical theater and comedy, through tech, non-profit, and a bunch or varied experiences, Mary has learned that everyone has an interesting story to tell. Bringing people together through curiosity is the key. Find out about the next Tell Me Why It's Cool Show event and follow Mary's work on Instagram...
This week I talked to Mark and Donna from Rockin' K Creations. They're a husband and wife team making their interesting creations mostly from wood. You might know them from the "Maker on the Street" video series documenting the "Maker Camp Maker Swap" in 2024. We had a great conversation about what they make, and why they make it, and how they got involved in Maker Camp and the Maker Swap. Check out their work on Instagram and follow the Maker on the Street series as well!...
Matt Holmes is working to bring new life to the craft of letterpress with the future of digital fabrication. We talked about the progression of letterpress from an industrial production process to its current status as a craft and art. We discussed his research in sharing and advancing knowledge and community of traditional craft through technology and his work at the Hybrid Print Lab. We also talked about how cast iron letterpress equipment seems to multiply once you start collecting it. Check ...
Anna Koplik discovered her love of art and creativity when her Dad volunteered at an art center. She explored jewelry making, but ultimately found blacksmithing as her choosen form of expression. We talk about craft schools, teaching, and whether a sword is the best project for a beginner blacksmith. Find out where Anna will be sharing her knowledge on her web site. Follow Anna's work on Instagram.
Brandon is a carpenter, woodworker, maker, and all-around curious person. We chatted about how the limitations of his work lead him to explore woodworking on his own. We discuss his wordworking projects including tables and furniture with cold cast metal inlays and his pet memorial creations. Check out what Brandon's work on Instagram.
Jacob Griffin is a maker and leather craft artist. We talked about how he discovered leather craft, cosplay, his path into architecture, and quite a bit about his experience in the maker community. Checkout Jacob on Instagram.
This week I talk to Blaze Miskulin, Jack of All Trades, lately sharing cooking skills on his YouTube channel Colloquial Kitchen . We chat about his history in theater scene building, including teaching woodworking in high school theater shops, and how he learned critical thinking and problem solving from his dad. We learn about his experience teaching English and a series of interesting jobs in China. Thanks to the Xyla Foxlin supporter community over on Discord for introducing me to Blaze and h...
Chelsea is an designer, maker, and veneer artist. We chatted about her recent feature in Fine Woodworking magazine, teaching and community work with Dykes with Drills at Community Workshop NOLA. We also discussed some of her great veneer and furniture projects including some coopering. Learn more about Chelsea's work on Instagram and her web site . Mentions this episode Albert Kleine , Kim McIntyre...
Sarah McAnulty is a squid biologist, an artist and the founder of Skype a Scientist which connects classrooms with scientists. We chat about Sarah's involvement in public art projects Squid Facts, and #Nearbynature which encourages folks to create and share art about their local wildlife. Keep up with Sarah on Instagram and Bluesky . Check out Skype a Scientist ....
Shane and I have a great conversation about conservation and restoration of furniture and other wooden artifacts. Shane is working on a series about the various materials and techniques of wood finishing called "Finished: The Art and Science of Wooden Surfaces". Please note we mention a number that should be 476,000 instead of 4.5 million but the point is consistent. We discuss the importance of sharing and passing on knowledge, and there's a fun bit about dairy products as well. Follow Shane on...
Woops, uploaded the wrong file! Here's the real one. Mark and Nick and I chat about the joy of working with contractors, volume printing, content creation, and potential motorcycle adventures. Mark at @markadamspictures Nick at @designisblank
Looking back a little bit, looking ahead a little more. Then we chat about books a little bit. We went all over the place, this is just the first half. We'll back back next week as well. Check out my guests Mark Adams on Instagram Nick Toga on Instagram
Erin Winick Anthony is the founder of science communication company STEAM Power Media which works to share the creativity in science and engineering, and help others tell their science stories. We talked about her beginnings from sewing and journalism with her high school newspaper to engineering school to reporting for the MIT Technology Review and science communication and outreach for the International Space Station. We discussed starting a 3D printed jewelry company and her interest in compe...
Xyla Foxlin is a engineer by education with a passion for the arts and making things like an LED-powered party kayak, an aluminum electric violin, and a rocket-powered Christmas tree. We talked about the origins of the creative problem solving mindset, learning from others and sharing what we learn, and remembering to learn room for boredom to fuel creativity. Follow Xyla on Instagram and YouTube . Thanks to Mark Adams for the cover photo....
Justin Mabie and Mark Adams chat about their motivation and creative process is recording makers at Maker Camp or in their own shop environment from a split second to a 50 minute epic story. Follow Justin's Maker Documentaries on Youtube . Check out Mark on Instagram . Cover Art thanks to Ryan Smith
This time is a full episode chat with Jason Nix, layout artist for Mark Adams "Five Years of Maker Camp Book" and tool rescuer. We talk about collecting tools, and selling the ones you don't need right now, to fund the next hobby. We go on a bit about art, museums, overlapping skill sets, and permission. Check out Jason on Instagram and Youtube .
Bonus content aftershow with Jason Nix, Mark Adams, and Nick Toga where we chat about Maker Camp, Pottery ASMR, Instagram Rants, and problem-solving! You can subscribe on Patreon to never miss an aftershow! Jason Nix Mark Adams Nick Toga
