Special report: ‘Maker movement’ makes waves in C.O.
The “maker movement” is spreading across the nation and world, and is growing strong on the High Desert as well. It’s an umbrella term used for the trend and for those who innovate, create and invent.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like; it’s making,” said David Danek, co-owner of the DIY Cave in Bend.
People who do such things are called “makers.”
“It’s not exactly underground, but it’s not exactly known yet,” said Tyrone Hazen, a product developer who uses the soon-to-be-opened High Desert Makers. “Once you’re plugged in, you get all the answers you need.”
Places are popping up across America, dubbed a “maker space.” Users pay a membership fee to gain access to all kinds of heavy-duty machinery, tools and ideas. They’re able to essentially any vision to life.
“People may want to learn woodworking or metal working or both or electronics or 3D printing,” Hazen said.
There are often 3D printers at makers spaces. High Desert Makers and the DIY Cave each have one for users to create.
“I began to research to see if it’s even something we could do here in Bend, ” said Aaron leis, co-owner of DIY Cave in southeast Bend. “It seemed like exactly the best fit for Bend.”
Danek, Leis and Tim Willis opened the DIY Cave in May of this year. The High Desert Makers is slated to open in the coming months. Spaces such as these offer an area for tinkerers to work on their projects outside of their homes.
“It was an odd shape, and I couldn’t go out and just buy one,” DIY Cave member Jim Webb said of his creation.
Webb is working on a custom cover for his fire pit. Often, custom pieces out of necessity are items on the agenda for makers.
“It’s the kind of stuff I think about in my head, but I can’t find in the stores,” said Amanda Rose, Rustic Gate Home owner and designer. “People do custom orders and we sell for retailers, so it’s great. We branched out into more business than I ever expected it to be.”
The maker movement is not just for those who are skilled at creating, but also for beginners.
For more information about spaces like DIY Cave, head to its website.
Also visit the others mentioned here: http://makermill.org
