Category: Meet the Maker

Yup, it’s been a while for our Meet the Maker series, but here we are again, with a whole bunch of maker-shenanigans to treat you to!  May we introduce, Liz K and the Armand’s Joy!

Your name:

Liz K.

When did you join the Brickyard?

April 2021

What do you do (make, learn…) here?

I’m restoring the Armand’s Joy. A sailboat my Grampy built from a kit in 1997. It’s had some hard years in storage and I’m bringing it back to its glory. I’m also expanding my knowledge of woodworking beyond the basics.

What’s your favorite piece of advice, and where did you hear it?

When you can’t sleep because something is on your mind – if you can do something about it right then, get up and do it. But if you can’t, let it go until morning when you can. I always thought it was from my Great Aunt Betty. Turns out it’s advice my mom had given TO her.

Favorite joke:

What happened when the blue ship crashed into the red ship? The sailors were marooned.

What’s the most ridiculous fact you know?

The color orange is named after the fruit. The fruit is not named for the color. It’s why people have red hair or refer to the red breast of a robin. Those things were described before the color orange had a name.

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Will leave seltzer cans everywhere.

What’s the best part about The Brickyard?

No matter what you’re working on, you can usually find someone to talk through a problem/challenge or to help set up equipment or to help laugh at whatever mess you made.

Your name:

Sarah C.

When did you join the Brickyard?:

August 2021

What do you do (make, learn…) here?:

I love the Glowforge! Also into quilting, cross stitch and legos. I’ve been having fun slowly working in the wood shop.

What’s your favorite piece of advice, and where did you hear it?

You learn more from your failures than your successes.

If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

Talk to animals! It would be so cool to know what they are thinking.

Something I want to learn is…

Woodworking. Tufting.

What’s the best part about The Brickyard?

The community. It’s so fun to be around other makers. People are always willing to share what they are working on and give tips/advice.

Mike Meuse (pictured above – on the left*) is a 2-wheeled Maker Force! If it’s got two wheels, Mike works on it.  Read on:

What’cha working on at the moment? At the moment, I am working on a pair of Puch Mopeds from the 70’s for my wife and I. I regularly use the space to maintain my daily driver, a Suzuki DR650 dual sport. What are your plans for future projects? Most of my experience has to do with bicycles and motorcycles. With the access that I have at the Brickyard, I hope to expand into many areas. My wife and I have lots of ideas to upcycle items into furniture. What’s your favorite thing about working at The Brickyard? I would say its a tie between the members and the access to the common areas. There is a lot of diversity in the skills at the Brickyard and while I am excited to share some of my knowledge, there are many at the Brickyard that have the skills to teach me things that I have wanted to learn for years. Having access to the wood and metal shop is a natural fit for my skill set but I am equally excited about the other areas of the Brickyard. What’s the most unexpected thing about working at The Brickyard? The growth. When I joined, I was told that they were working on obtaining certain machines for the members to use. They have over delivered on that promise and have invested in items like the glow forge, 3d printer, lathe and much more. What would you say to people interested in joining? Stop by and see what its all about. Just walking around the Space is a good example of the diversity of people and is just a glimpse at what is possible with a makers space. Tell us a little about your background. My professional trade is in the cycling industry. I have worked in the cycling industry for 19 years at this point and love every day I go to work. I have had many roles from shop mechanic, shop manager, fabrication, some frame building experience, sales, and bike fitting. I have always enjoyed the challenge of tearing things apart and putting them back together. I dive into my hobbies 100% and always like to learn how to maintain my own gear.

* (Photo above, courtesy of Facebook, is a sterling example of why grown adults shouldn’t be allowed to use smartphones and social media unattended by a person of age 16 – or younger.  Apologies to Mrs. Mike.)

Today’s Meet the Maker: Noel Pichardo!

What’cha working on at the moment?

I’m working on freelance photography and cinematography

What are your plans for future projects?

My first project is to work on a full arcade cabinet for at least two players and have an installation in one of our spaces.

What’s your favorite thing about working at The Brickyard?

Firstly, I love the environment, I feel nothing but inspired when I’m in this space. I find that no matter what it is I love learning all about every station, and how others come to find their niche.

What’s the most unexpected thing about working at The Brickyard?

I never thought I’d find so many people with weird hobbies come together to share a space. To teach each other new skills, expose them to new technologies and inspire creativity through new avenues.

What would you say to people interested in joining?

Come down take some classes feel out the space. Don’t be surprised by how fast you’ll fall in love with the space, but more importantly the people who made it happen.