KSU to host Holiday Community Makerspace Day

KSU to host Holiday Community Makerspace Day
Scott Daniels

Annie Quan is using the Cricut machine, a die-cutting machine, craft plotter or cutting machine, like a printer. One can create an image or design on computer and then send it to the machine. The Cricut can cut paper, vinyl, fabric, craft foam, sticker paper, faux leather and more.

                        

“Makerspace” is a buzzword used to describe any place where one can take an idea and use available equipment, supplies and technology to turn that idea into a completed project.

A well-equipped makerspace is available at Kent State University as part of the Academic Learning Commons, the library, and is open to the community.

To help people get to know the space and what they can do with it, the university will host Holiday Community Makerspace Day on Tuesday, Dec. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can create a holiday craft for themselves or as a gift at no charge for either the time or materials used.

“This is the first year we’ve done this as a holiday event,” said Maria Feik, who oversees the makerspace at the university campus. “We offered a community day in the summertime, but this is a first at Christmastime. We want people to come and find out what is available and help make them more aware of what they can do here. It is a large makerspace with great opportunities to create and learn.”

Included are a 3-D printer, a video-to-go section where raw video can be transformed into a final production, a vacuum molding machine, a custom embroidery machine and even a space where stop-motion animated video productions can be produced. The list of what can be done at the KSU Tuscarawas Makerspace is extensive.

For the holiday event, there will be plenty of materials available to create holiday crafts. “We’ll have clay pots which can be painted or used to create anything you can imagine. There are wood plaques and signs, along with paint or shellac for creating something unique and a Cricut machine.”

The latter is used to create custom cutouts from paper or vinyl, which Feik said can then be used to create custom T-shirts or other projects.

Most, if not all the supplies needed to create holiday projects, are available at the makerspace. “You can bring your own supplies if you want, and if you use what we have here, the cost to do your project is still zero,” Feik said.

The space is funded by a small budget from the university and from donations from area businesses and individuals. “We’re always looking for new and interesting equipment to add to the space,” Feik said. “It is truly a place where you can come and create and experiment on your own.”

Feik also said students are always on hand, including for the Dec. 17 Holiday Makerspace Day, to help with any questions or in getting started. “They know how all the equipment works and can be a big help if needed," Feik said.

Possibilities include a tiny business or hobby creating a customized shirt or cap with a logo. Or an idea for a key fob or any other 3-D piece can begin as a sketch and be turned into a usable object using the 3-D printer.

“We would really like to see a lot of people from the community come and try out what is available in the makerspace,” Feik said.

A budding film director can try out editing skills and learn to make a project flow, or a complete animated story can be put together on video to share.

“That’s the great thing about it,” Feik said. “You can get your hands on some of the most interesting, cutting-edge equipment out there, use it to create something completely your own, learn and practice along the way, and do all of it for free. This is, I think, an extremely valuable resource for the community.”

More information is at libguides.tusc.kent.edu/makerspace.

Kent Tusc is located at 330 University Drive NE in New Philadelphia.


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