By Willow Beyer, Undergraduate Library Making Fellow, 2024-2025
One of the best parts of working as a Makerspace Fellow this past year has been showing new people around and watching the space fill up. During Drop-in Hours in the past weeks have seen all of our sewing machines in use, at least one project 3D printing, and several people in the button maker room. People come with very specific plans, an idea that needs support in execution, or just wanting to wander through and see what we have to offer. Whatever brings them, the energy that comes from people learning, collaborating, and making together makes the space feel so alive.
Our users teach each other newly learned skills, trade old tricks, and compliment each others’ design choices. As a fellow, I get to do tons of button making and sewing machine tutorials, troubleshoot with heat press complications, and answer questions about miscellaneous materials, but mostly I just watch the space breathe. On one particular occasion, a student was working on a sewing project and needed help with garment construction. I had a few ideas, but the four or five other people also sewing were able to come up with a whole range of possibilities to choose from. The collaboration was not only helpful for her project, but gave everyone a chance to get to know each other.
The Makerspace is for anyone who wants to explore, experiment, or just take a break from the rest of their day. You don’t need to be any kind of expert or even know what it is you want to learn. The materials and support are here, and I’ve witnessed how our growing community is more than ready to welcome new people and fresh ideas. During our Cal Merch Workshop, participants complimented each other’s designs, taught each other how to use the equipment, and provided support in troubleshooting issues as they came up. We are always looking for ways to make the space more fun and inviting, so whether it’s signing up for a workshop, dropping in for the Make of the Month, or bringing in a project of your own, stop by and see what the space can do for you!