Making Problems to Solve

Mark Adams and Nick Toga are back and we go all over the place. We talk about how AI is affecting artists, and chat about historic ways artists have negotiated making their way through the world as artists inspired by the Mason Currey book “Making Art and Making a Living”. This inspires topics such as being honest and open, using your voice, and creative mischief. Stick around for a bit of encouragement at the end! Check out Mark Adams on Instagram Check out Nick on Instagram

Olivia Van Oot is a woodworker exploring quilt patterns in wood veneer. We learn about why craft schools are so important, how she discovered woodworking, and combined her experience with fabric to making quilt-inspired wood projects, lamps, furniture, and a wood dress. Check out Olivia’s work on Instagram and her web site.

Trevor is back with Patti Gilstrap to recap and chat about our experience at the Maker Camp Group Forge. The group forge event is a collaborative learning experience where a bunch of folks of varying levels of experience work together to bring a vision into reality over a weekend. This year’s project was an approximately 10 foot tall steel weathervane adorned with copper accents. We discuss as usual, the process, and the unique property of undo when working with hot metal. Thanks to Chris Cash and Matt Harris for leading the event and Curtis Bohn for sharing his metal forming tips.

Trevor Higgins, blacksmith, and obsessive skill sharer is back to discuss the quick win verses deliberate craft. How do we decide what level of perfection we are working towards? When is it about the results and when is it the process. We preview the Blackthorne Resort Maker Camp Group Forge coming up this weekend. Follow Trevor on Instagram.

This week I talked to Brittani Locke from the Soft Asylum. Brittani is a marbling artist making beautifully patterned silk scarves. She shares her introduction to marbling and later rediscovery of the art as well as how she shares the art through teaching and her demonstrations at the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp. Check out Brittani’s work on Instagram and her web site.

Leah Aripotch is a metal scultptor focusing on organic monstrous forms inspired by nature. We discuss the connections between observing nature, curiosity, and the creative process. We follow her journey from being a kid out in nature, to painting, jewelry making and metal sculpture. Check out Leah’s work on Instagram and her web site

The podcast is back with Derek Weston, a sculptor and fabricator from Philadelphia. We go over his journey from curious creative kid to college where he tried industrial design, but ultimately discovered sculpture. Learning to make things with tools lead him on the path to working as a fabricator and taking a break to explore and learn and meet other creative folks around the US, finally leading to starting his own shop where he does his best to work with clients that provide an interesting problem to solve! Along the way we discuss the value of art school, and cultivating your creative community. Learn more about Derek on Instagram and his web site.

John Graziano, Graz, is a good friend still, if you haven’t heard this one in a while, here is a repeat presentation of my chat way back from Episode 3 back in 2022. This time I talked with John Graziano, aka GrazMakes on your usual platforms, about curiosity and a constant desire to modify things to understand how they work and to take things apart to bend them to your will. Along the way we discussed the important discovery that, yes, you can make creativity a career and the joy of sharing what you’ve learned a way to show even more folks what making is all about. Check him out at @grazmakes on Instagram and YouTube. Find Graz at https://www.instagram.com/grazmakes/

Maya Buffett Davis is a sculptor currently pursuing an MFA in Ceramics at Colorado University Boulder. For the next couple of days you can view her show “Books are Machines” at the Bemis Public Library in Littleton, CO until February 14, 2026. Books Are Machines was made possible thanks to the support of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. We chat about the ideas behind the show including the relationship between the viewer and an interactive sculpture and inspiring attention. Learn more about Maya’s work on Instagram and her web site mayabuffettdavis.xyz

This week I talk to Sarah from Soul Bound Leather about how she discovered leatherwork, got connected with the knife making community, giving stories to her work, and where her work is taking her next. Check out Sarah’s work on Instagram and soulboundleather.com

Andy Piper is a computer artist and currently Head of Communications at Mastodon. We chat about, what exactly computer art is, pen plotters, creativity, following your curiosity, paying attention and of course, building online and in-person communities. Check out Andy's work at AndyPiper.me

Eric Brokvist is a great supporter of the maker community, and we talk about his unique creative journey! This includes a dad who explored many creative skills and techniques, and Eric has just continued on that path. Along the way we visit music and theater. drawing and the outdoors, including a couple of boats! I mention the Working Hands Podcast, Make What you Fear challenge and it looks like Eric is in!Check out Eric on Instagram. Photo credit: Mark Adams Pictures

This week I chatted with Keith Peters, often known as bit-101 on the web. Keith has been creating and sharing computer art on his web site since the Flash days of the 2000s. He's still out there making art and recently made some prints available on his store. We talked about his ongoing exploration of programming art, some computer hardware, exploring crafts such as blacksmithing and even making music!

In this episode I have a year-end catch up chat with my friend Trevor Higgins, know as @dustysqueak on Instagram. We chat about belt buckles furniture, sewing, leather and 3D printing. Along the way we imagine building an envelope stuffing machine. I am sure with all those skills we could figure it out. Don't miss the bit about a 7-1/2 foot tall Start Wars robot (android? can you call them robots if they are from Star Wars?)Remember kids, Music is Math!

My guest is Dean from @dean_makes on Instagram. We chat about his history in making, including working in a secondary school wood shop, working is music stores and learning the skills of a guitar tech, to guitar building and digital fabrication. Of course, along the way we discuss Dean's discovery of the maker community.We also learn that it might just be the year for Andy Pugh to get a pen plotter. Check out Dean on Instagram and https://www.youtube.com/@DeanMakeshttps://www.youtube.com/@DeanMakes.

Mark and Nick are back, and we chat about getting back to business after a break due to the natural cycles of life. Hear us chat about why YouTube sucks, marketing, telling your story, how to identify and manage distractions, and ADHD. We actually did some recommendations, I recommended the Woodworkers Book Club and The Shaker Legacy by Christian Becksvoort.Mark recommends the Op Podcast, hear stories from professional camera operators. Nick Recommends the ADHD Chatter Podcast. Find out 13 Ways to Trigger ADHD Rage.

My guest is Kelli Anderson, the artist, designer, and tinkerer behind interactive books like This Book is a Camera. Kelli's latest book, Alphabet in Motion, is a pop-up book that explores the history of how letterforms got their shapes. We chat about how she discovered the craft of paper engineering, problem-solving the design problems of a pop-up book, teaching, and as usual, the art of paying attention. Check out Alphabet in Motion and Kelli's Instagram.

This week I talk to artist, educator, and learning designer Jack Thomas about seeing patterns, making art, and the scientific side of art and printmaking, and doing and getting lost in the process. Along the way we end up talking about Paul from the Woodworking is Bullshit podcast and his approach to creating and collaborating. We also chat about her book Artist Therapy: 26 Secrets to Studio Success. Find out more about her work on Instagram and jackthomas.art.

This week I talked to Jamie Seel of Seel Made about her creative journey from learning fashion design to creating her unique line of leather handbags. We chat about her experience teaching and demonstrating at the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp and her mobile pop-up store . Check out Seel Made on Instagram and seelmade.com

My guest this week is Kathy Ceceri, a maker, writer, and educator who focuses on history, science, technology, and art. We talked about her latest book published by Make:Community Paper Inventions Second Edition, along with her path to STEAM education through home schooling and curiosity. We discuss the current state of Maker Faires and the value of connecting with your local creative community. Check out Kathy's work on her web site kathyceceri.comKathy was proud to share her kid's work as well.Jax Ceceri's Drywall Eating Simulator on Steam from Peripheral PlayboxAnthony Ceceri's hand-drawn animated short film Stairwell

After work travel and technical difficulties, here's a great conversation with Tom Breslin from The Phoenix Woodshop! We talk about his start making signs in the garage with just a 1965 Craftsman router, to his rediscovery of sign making with a CNC Router. Along the way we discuss the value of learning and sharing in the making community. Tom highlights the creative community with his new podcast Create and Connect.Check out Tom on Instagram and the Create and Connect Podcast.Photo by Mark Adams Pictures

If you've been around the online maker community, you may have run into Paul Meyette, one of the best supporters of the community around. I was lucky to meet Paul at northeast maker events several years ago and he's definitely supported my work as well. We chatted about how he got started making things, discovering the online maker community, and building your own little community, finding folks to support. Paul created the Northeast Makers Facebook and Instagram accounts to highlight the wide range of creative people he encountered along the way. Check out Paul and Northeast Makers on Instagram.

Briony Morrow-Cribbs currently lives & works in the hills of rural Vermont as a printmaker, illustrator, graphic designer and maker of little things. We discussed her creative family, and work, specifically copper plate etching. This includes nature-inspired prints, book covers and illustrations.Check out her work on Instagram and her web site.

Rasmus Loen is a blacksmith, as described on the podcast he co-hosts, from Norway! We talk about learning and teaching blacksmithing, Zelda, and of course the making and selling of forged objects. You won't be surpised to hear we mention community a bit in there somewhere. Check out Rasmus as one-third of the Setting Up Shoppe podcast with Dan and Heidi. Also check out Rasmus on Instagram and his web site.

This week I talked to Liz from Blitz City DIY. She makes a lot of music and electronics related projects. We discuss how she went from a music major to experimenting with Arduino to creating DIY YouTube videos and guides for Adafruit. We discover why patterned plywood might be related to quilting and a bit about modular synths. Check out Liz on Instagram, Youtube and the Adafruit web site.

Gary Oshust went from a career in IT to taking a sculpture class and beyond. We talk about his interest in minature art, as well as his time managing a maker space, interest in aviation and keeping the "A" in STEAM. Check out Gary on Instagram. Photo credit to Mark Adams.

Michele Banks makes biology and science inspired art exploring the patterns we find in nature from viruses and bacteria to animal and plant cells and even neuroscience. We talked about how you don't need to be a kid who was good at drawing to become a working artist, inspiration from science communication, and her email newsletter about the work and philosophy of making art a career. Find Michele on Instagram and Substack.

Mark Adams and Nick Toga are back and we discuss upcoming events, catch up on recent events, and widely range across maker topics. Highlights include Making it 500, AWFS Fair in Vegas, Texas Woodworking Festival, the Fitchburg Forge-in and of course, Catskill Mountain Maker Camp! Along the way we discuss monetizing knowledge, creative community, and buying stuff from makers. A plethora of mentions: Catskill Mountain Maker CampTexas Woodworking FestivalLeah AripotchJeff DuBoerSeattle Metals GuildFitchburg Forge-inLindsay ZuelichMatthew AbadiCanned Heat Glass StudiosLynn Everett Read

A solo episode, Fitchburg Forge-in announcement. a preview of just some of the awesome stuff to see at the Catskill Mountain Maker Camp, and my take on the "What is Social Media?" question posed by the Woodworking is Bullshit podcast!

Shane Bowman is my guest this week. We chat about discovering printing and graphic design, and accidentally finding a career in industrial design make point-of-purchase product displays. He wanted to make a case for a favorite pen and to his surprise that started his love of leather craft. Next he saw some custom leather hardware, and found a way to make his own, and to provide that for the wider maker community. Follow Shane on Instagram

Chelsea Witt has recently been appointed the Executive Director of The Chairmaker's Toolbox whose mission is "Increasing access and equity in the field of chairmaking. Founded by & for under-represented woodworkers & chair nerds". We chat about Chelsea's journey from and interest in art, and taking pre-med classes on way to becoming a surgeon, to the pivot to woodworking, and in building the woodworking community through education. Check out Chelsea on Instagram and their web site. The Chairmaker's Toolbox

Kellan Moss from @dirtmossart shares how she discovered the field of medical and scientific illustration and the interesting places it has taken her, including a geology research ship. From geological cores we move on to why making art is good for you, and the value of bad art. Learn more about Kellan's work on Instagram

Steve from @haybudden is here and we cover how he got the amazing username "Haybudden" and how he discovered his love of blacksmithing and making things with metal. We chat a bunch about how the New England Blacksmiths fit into the maker community and also a bit about how great Pat Quinn and the Center for Metals are. Don't miss Field of Tools August 8-10 at the Blackthorne Resort. Follow Steve on Instagram. Check out the New England BlacksmithsLearn something at the Center for Metal ArtsPhoto by Mark Adams Pictures

In which I record a single take stream of consciousness this time on the subject of curiosity. What is it? Are scientists studying it, and what does it mean for our band of creative weirdos. I don't answer these questions, but I sort of talk about the subject around it. Inspired by Keith Sawyer and Scott Thorp on the Science of Creativity Podcast. Read Learning to See by Keith SawyerCheck out the Working Hands Podcast with Trevor HigginsRead The Wild Dark - Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light by Craig Childs(no affiliate links but check these things out!)

Caitlin was drawn to the ornamental ironwork as a kid and re-ignited that passion as an adult searching for a hobby. From there she discovered the joy of blacksmithing and the idea of sharing the craft with a school was born! It took some time, but now Caitlin created a school and has been sharing what she has learned for years. We discuss Caitlin's journey and some of what she learned from her students about teaching. Caitlin is a founding member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths and we discuss their mission of supporting equity, diversity, and accessibility in blacksmithing. Check out The Society of Inclusive BlacksmithsCheck out Ms. Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing

Dan Peterson is making quilts, with a little math. We go over Dan's journey to quilting, and I try to remember what an irrational number is, so I can pick my favorite one! Along the way we cover tetris, sudoku, lava lamp security, and a lot, a real lot of squares. There's an interesting bit on what it means to seek mastery in a field. I met Dan on Xyla Foxlin's Patreon discord, and we discuss what a great community it is. Check out Dan on Instagram and Youtube.

Want to know what I have been going on about regarding the independent web? Here's some thoughts! Check outOwn Your WebPainting with the WebIntroducing the FediVerseDesign 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 CampTimber-In Tickets July 18-20 Field of Tools August 8-10Working Hands Podcast Maker Swap AnnouncementPhoto credit Mark Adams.

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 PicturesNick 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 CampNew 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 background music in her studio, as well as the combination of sight and sound by playing the sounds inspired by her fantasy landscapes in the gallery. Follow Lindsay's work on Instagram and her web site.

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