NEWBURYPORT – David Smith and Heather Karp came to Tinkerhaus on a recent Wednesday night for a three-hour introductory class to woodworking.
Karp, an artist, said she has long wanted to learn to work with power tools. Smith said he is expecting to be an empty nester soon and is looking to take up a hobby like woodworking.
Learning from experienced woodworkers Joe Morgan and Phillip Wales, the two adult students were introduced to various saws and cutting machines. They learned about wood, the different types, weights and thicknesses.
By the end of the $75 class, they would produce their own cutting board that in a store would have cost $100, executive director Mary McDonald said earlier.
“Whether you grew up in a family who built tree houses and tailored wedding gowns, or your people feared anything more complicated than a pair of scissors, Tinkerhaus can offer you the level of support you need to become a maker. You can learn woodworking, fiber arts, jewelry making, decoupage, digital design and fabrication.”
On Graf Road at the edge of the Newburyport Business Park, Tinkerhaus is chocked full of tools of all types and knowledgeable, friendly people who can guide and advise.
Tinkerhaus, now in its eighth year, has long been McDonald’s passion. “I think people should work with their hands,” she said.
McDonald, who has worked in museums and been involved with non-school-based education for most of her career, got involved with the maker space movement 15 years ago.
Many of the 200 makers come to use the shop’s tools, including drills, sanders and power saws, sewing machines and glue guns, pliers and even 3D printers. But even more important, Tinkerhaus is a sharing community where makers gladly help one another bring their ideas to life.
“We are building a community for you,” the web site states. “We have people who can help you make a wooden tray, a pair of earrings, a Halloween costume. We have surfaces that can handle paint and glue, and where you can set your piece to dry.”
Tinkerhaus strives to provide a safe environment where makers of all ages can engage in self-directed or scheduled activities that promotes creativity, problem solving, skill-building and critical thinking, the web site says.
“We believe that all people are endowed with unique abilities to make things and that those abilities should be fostered with learning opportunities.”
For McDonald and her team, what Tinkerhaus offers has a greater mission. “We believe that the future of our community and our country are dependent upon our citizens becoming more reliant on their own ingenuity, innovation and industry,” the web site states.
If such an environment sounds good for you or members of your family, here are some opportunities you may to explore.
In addition to the popular introduction to woodworking class, upcoming classes and events include a toy adaptation workshop on March 19 where volunteers partner with the “May We Help” organization to learn step-by-step how to adapt toys for children who are not able to play with toys in a traditional way.
On March 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., there is a paper flower workshop with in-house artist Tina, who teaches how to craft stunning blooms that never wilt. The fee is $40.
Learn to paint with watercolors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 28 with Margaret Dwyer, who holds a BFA and MFA in visual art and was the Artist in Residence for Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock VT. Tea and a critique are served. Cost: $150.
Tinkerhaus also offers a variety of after-school programs and spring break programs for young artists. ♦
